OFFBEAT
“Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.” - Wallace Stevens
If you had to take a pick, which would you choose? A lake shaped like a heart, or one with human bones at the base? Or perhaps one which is only partly in Indian Territory, and yet is one of the most beautiful inland lakes in the world? Whether surrounded by hills, or fed by an ocean or sea nearby, a lake is always a source of calmness and introspection. Here are ten unique and picturesque lakes around India that are totally worth experiencing:
A five-hour, mountainous drive away from Leh, the Pangong Tso, a brackish water lake, is one of the most picturesque spots in India. I’m sure you remember Kareena Kapoor riding a scooter in a red lehenga along the banks of the Pangong Tso! Did you know that the Line of Actual Control runs right through it, and a large part of the lake is in mainland China? It’s time to make my life as exciting as this!
The Prashar Lake, is a glacial lake next to a Himachal-style temple dedicated to Sage Prashar, and is located 49 kilometers away from Mandi. It is an easy trek, even if you’re travelling with kids. The lake, with its dark, blue water stands starkly apart from the landscape both during summers and winters. The summers turn the Prashar landscape into a myriad of blue and green, whereas winters turn it into vistas of alpine white and blue.
Book Your Flight to Kullu Here!
An artificial lake built over the City Palace, Udaipur, Lake Pichola stretches as far as the eye can see. This beautiful lake measures 4 kilometres in length and about 3 in width. The City Palace overlooks the lake, and you can take long boat rides from Rameshwar Ghat. You can even take a sunset boat ride, which makes for a wonderful romantic experience!
Book Your Flight to Udaipur Here!
Read more: 5 Luxury Hotels in Udaipur Where You Can Live like a Royal!
A hotspot for flora and fauna and the largest freshwater lake in North East India, Loktak Lake is famous for the floating phumdis over it. Phumdis mean an accumulated mass of soil, vegetation and other organic matter which is at various stages of decomposition. The masses make little islands on the lake, where people actually live. The sight of the little phumdis make the Loktak Lake an amazing sight to behold.
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A natural replica of the Pangong Tso in Spiti, situated at an altitude of 4300 metres, the Chandratal Lake gets its name from its crescent-like shape. Chandaratal literally means ‘Moon Lake’, and is situated at 7 kilometres from Kunzum La Pass in the Lahaul and Spiti district. The lake is a shade of blue close to sapphires, and is surrounded by broad grassy plains. The bonus, you ask? Spiti is the perfect place to spot the Milky Way and enjoy a peaceful vacation with no mobile interruption.
Book Your Flight to Kullu Here!
Located at a distance of 35 kilometres from Gangtok, on the road to Nathu La Pass. The sheer altitude at Tsomgo, or Changu Lake, as it is known in the local language, means that you can see the high peaks that surround the alpine, glacial lake. The water in the lake is fed by the melting ice nearby. Colourful prayer flags and bells surround the lake, making this one of the most amazing spots to visit in the eastern Himalayas.
Book Your Flight to Bagdogra Here!
Read more: Explore Gangtok in Under Rs 10,000
Kumarakom is home to the Vembanad Lake, which lays claim to being one of the longest lakes in India and one of the largest lakes in Kerala! Plus, since the lake is lesser known it is less crowded, ensuring you have a peaceful experience. What’s even more fascinating, is that the lake is a combination of fresh and brackish water, divided by a saltwater barrier. Stay in a houseboat and soak in the beauty and serenity of Vembanad in the best possible way.
Book Your Flight to Cochin Here!
To experience the pristine beauty of Kashmir in its full glory, Dal Lake needs to be on your travel itinerary. Although thronged by tourists ever since the days of Kashmir Ki Kali, Dal Lake is breathtakingly beautiful both during summer and winter, with two very different landscapes to flaunt. The 15 kilometre-round lake is dotted with houseboats from the Raj era, along with shikaras that ply across the lake, ferrying visitors from the boulevard to their houseboats, or on boat rides. The shikaras also act as vendors for all kinds of Kashmiri handicrafts and trinkets, fruits, flowers and vegetables.
Book Your Flight to Srinagar Here!
A heart shaped lake on the way to the Chembra Peak in Wayanad, Chembra Lake has often been stated as a lovers’ paradise. The Chembra peak is a popular trekking trail near Bandipur, in the Wayanad forest. Apart from its beautiful shape and that it’s literally on one side of a hill, the Chembra Lake is believed to have never dried up. Pretty cool, no?
Book Your Flight to Calicut Here!
We Indians have a penchant for spooky stories. Which is why I bit at the bait as soon as I found out that there’s a lake, also known as "Mystery Lake” which has human bones and remains dating back to 850 A.D! The Roopkund Lake is a high altitude glacial lake which is accessible by a trekking trail of about 5-6 days, and one can see human skeletal remains at its bottom when the snow has melted. While scientific and supernatural reasons have been stated for the remains, but the mystery is still intact.
Book Your Flight to Dehradun Here!
Pallavi Siddhanta Follow
A traveller with happy feet, lover of beaches and brooks, local food and culture, nothing cheers her up as well as Neruda and a cup of coffee.
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Samar Rahman | on 06 April 2018
You have missed out quite a few. Tso Moriri, Kedartal, Gurudongmar, Kashmir Great Lakes, Neel tal, Vaisukital. The artificial lakes, Vembanad lake etc are no where in the competition when you really look at the top 30 most beautiful lakes in India.