Journey to Lake Parashar, Himachal - An Incredible Personal Account

We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.

Anais Nin

I’m well aware that trying to keep track of everyone’s location is a near impossible task, considering I barely know where I myself am wandering to! But I think you should know what I have been up to lately, don’t you?

Writing about my trip to Lake Parashar gives me immense pleasure. The beautiful place situated around 50 kms from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, is a  perfect destination for trekking and bikers. Journey from Mandi and Lake Parashar is full of lovely scenes of the river flowing along you, as you travel to the depths of the mountain range.. The best time to visit this place is September or February, when you can encounter either pure white snow or a beautiful autumn.

Our journey commenced from Delhi, but with a hiccup. The Volvo I had booked had been replaced with another. As it turns out the last Himsuta Volvo from Delhi to Mandi leaves at 9 pm. So when booking, be careful of this, as you might be charged the price of the better Volvo for a lesser one.

Next morning, around 8, we reached Mandi. Encountering the gorgeous sun rise between the peaks was an awesome experience. One of the things I associate with God is a sunrise, due to its sheer breath-taking beauty. I wonder, how many of these stunning sunrises have we missed over the years?  

I was travelling with a friend, and we decided to reach Parashar Lake by taxi, which we took from Mandi station. You will find lot of taxis at the bus station, but be sure to discuss and negotiate a reasonable price before you get on board.

Around 10 am, we left for Lake Parashar from Mandi and it started with narrow road and greenery all over. You look below, at the deep valley, and find that a charming river is giving you company. After 25 kms, you reach a place called Baggi, pronounced as “Baagi”. From here, people start their trekking for Parashar. Baggi is beautiful place, with, swirls of antique stained glass, blazes of brass, forest of carved wood and waterfalls of crystal clear water. . After Baggi, you will start getting the feeling of Lake Parashar. Though we went there by taxi, last 10 Kms were really adventures and dangerous. As there was no road, turns became sharper and to make it more difficult, roads became more steep but Lake Parashar is worth this.

Once you cross Baggi, the road becomes more curvy and is more challenging to drive along. Make sure you travel with an experienced driver, as the turns are sharp and the road is steep. But once you reach Lake Parashar, you realise that this tricky drive is totally worth it!

Finally, between the misty clouds, you reach Lake Parashar, surrounded by mountains on all sides, and wild animals on the other side of the boundary wall. In the afternoon, we decided to trek along the mountain, and we came across a beautiful panoramic view. However, the area is full of wild animals, so it is advisable not to venture too far beyond the boundary walls. This time, it was not possible for me to push the boundaries so I crossed it. From a distance, we spotted a black dear, and then turned back before we came across more dangerous species!

 At night, we looked up and the sky was so clear with twinkling stars because we were above clouds. That scene was beyond the words when within a minute clouds cover you from all side and at next minutes it become so clear. Here I want to give you an advice that don’t rely google weather and carry proper jacket. In morning, I was awake at 5, opened the tent little bit and saw the beautiful game of cloud and sun from the comfort of sleeping. What more I can ask from nature. As the night fell, we found ourselves beneath the clear sky, with millions of twinkling stars gazing back at us. Be equipped with winter wear, as the weather gets quite unpredictable and chilly after sundown. I was up at dawn, and watched the sun rise from the clouds. What more can I ask for, than a view of this spell-binding sunrise!

 Lake Parashar is a must visit, if you want to explore what nature has in store for you. I sum up my thoughts with these verses, as I day-dream about my wonderful holiday.

Ude, khule aasaman mein khwabon ke parindey
Ude, dil ke jahaan main khaabon ke parinday
Oho, kya pata, jaayenge kahaan
Khule hain jo pal, kahe yeh nazar
Lagta hai ab hai jaage hum
Fiqrein jo thi, peechhe reh gayi
Nikle unse aage hum
Hawa mein beh rahi hai zindagi
Yeh hum se keh rahi hai zindagi
Oho, ab toh, jo bhi ho so ho