Skip to main content

Journey to Sacred Prashar Lake at 2730 m (8560 feet) How to Reach? Road Condition, Precautions and Pictures

It is the dream of many travelers to visit sacred Prashar Lake for at least one time in life. Many people become interested in Prashar Lake after watching its pictures. 
Temple, Prashar lake, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, Prashar
Prashar Lake and Temple First View

I also came to know about this beautiful lake is through its pictures only. This lake is situated at the top of a hill at a height of 2730 meters (8560 feet). This Lake is 49 KM drive from Mandi; however, the road condition is ruff towards the last 19 KMs.

The road conditions, even become worse during the rainy season or just after when the snow melts. Therefore, it is important to take all precautions to reach this place.

Prashar lake, Himachal Tourism
Prashar Lake 19 KM
The last 19 KM journey involves rough roads, steep ascent, and snow on top.

Also, the same precaution is required when you are coming down because you face a steep slope.

If you are accustomed to the difficult Himachali driving conditions, then this journey will not be difficult for you; though, you must take necessary precautions.

The road to Prashar Lake remains closed in winters and movement on it depends on the snow at top peak and around Lake.

Therefore, it is advisable to check at Mandi that the road is open to reaching Prashar Lake or not.

Prashar lake, Road, Narrow Road
Narrow Road through Snow

Road, Prashar lake
Snow around Road


I went there in a 9-year-old Maruti with five people and one child. Though, at two points I was required to the empty car to decrease load and cross few bumps.

I went to Prashar Lake in the month of March, though, some people don't believe this time ideal to visit Prashar Lake because of snow.

HPWD clears the road for vehicles in the month of February/March depending on the snow condition.

On my journey, snow started to appear in the last 8 km, though, the road was completely cleared for the movement of vehicles.

First of all, we enjoyed the snow for some time and then moved forward to Prashar lake.

In the last 15 KM of drive, I was forced to use only first and second gear because of steep ascent and bad road conditions. Therefore, the car engine was like burning just 4 KM away from Prashar lake.

This journey is not for people who don't enjoy tough roads, high mountains, or who have bad health conditions.

The daytime temperature was fine, but we were still in woolens to avoid any cold.

HP Forest Department, Prashar lake
HP Forest Department Board
Near Prashar lake, we can find two Guest Houses by Forest Department and HPWD. If you want to stay for a night in them, then you need to book them in advance.

Booking for a night stay can be only done at Mandi.










Snow, Prashar Lake
Snow around Prashar Lake
After reaching the Prashar lake, we got such feeling that we will not able to see the lake and temple because of 2 to 4-foot snow spread across the lake.

To reach the lake from the road, you need to first climb 50 to 80 feet and then descend 50 to 90feet. However, due to snow, it was very difficult to climb and two of the main paths to reach Prashar Lake were in 3-4 foot snow.

To avoid this situation, we are forced to find another way to enter Prashar Lake which was 2 KM away from the road. The local shopkeepers opened this path for the visitors and you are required to cross a small stretch of snow.

Prashar lake, First View
Me at Prashar lake
After around 60 foot climbs, I got the first glimpse of the Prashar lake for the first time and after seeing the majestic beauty of the Lake, my all pains disappear.

Inside the circle, there was not much snow and it was very easy to reach the temple and Lake.

We reached the temple and sat there for some time.





Parashar Rishi, Temple, Parashar lake
13th Century Parashar Rishi Temple
There are many stories associated with this temple. This temple was built in the 13th century and is a pagoda-like temple. As per legend, this temple was constructed by a six-month-old baby from a single Tree. Parashar Rishi mediated at the place and Prashar Lake is believed to come into existence through his meditation. Parashar Rishi is the first saint to explain how the planet acts as per Karma and he is the founder of Indian astrology.

The Priest at the temple was very nice and he allowed us inside the temple to pay obedience to Prashar Rishi. He performed a Pooja for us and gave his blessings to my son. He insisted that we should visit this place again.

Parashar Lake, Floating Island,
Mysterious Floating Island Prashar Lake
The other unique point of this Lake is its mysterious and floating island. So far, no one knows exactly why this island floats and how long it is floating. Though, someone told me that Prashar Rishi used to meditate on this island.

Parashar Rishi Temple, Floating Island, Prashar lake
Floating Island and Parashar Rishi Temple
This floating island keeps on changing its position throughout the year. In the background, you can watch the ancient Parashar Rishi and Temple complex. At this place, you get a heavenly experience that is difficult to put into words.

It is believed good to circle around the lake after visiting the temple so we did the same and got to see the lake from all sides.

Prashar lake
Prashar Lake


 To keep you safe, there is a wired boundary across the lake so that people should avoid going near it.

When you climb again from Prashar lake then you can find a four-five local restaurant where you can eat food or drink tea.

Overall, it was a great experience and I will definitely like to do it again.

Prashar lake, Top Hill
Top Hill Around Prashar lake


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sidh Baba Garibnath Temple, Androli (Una, India)

I love to cover temples of Himachal Pradesh and Today, I will share with you a beautiful temple situated on the bank of the Govind Sagar Lake near Androli village of Himachal Pradesh, we can find this Shiva temple. It got its name of Sidh baba Garibnath because of a Saint with a similar name who meditated at this place. The unique thing about this temple is that it becomes inaccessible during the monsoon due to a rise in the water levels of Govind Sagar Lake. On any ordinary day, we can reach this temple by road, however, during the rainy season when the water level rises then we need the help of boats to reach this temple. This temple looks beautiful in all conditions whether it is submerged in water or out of water. When the temple is out of the water then it offers a very scenic view of Gobind Sagar lake. Every time, you visit this temple, you can find a different view because of the different water levels in the Gobind Sagar lake.  Image Source - wikimedia  Image Source -...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why travelling is so important for all of us?

 We all get bored with the routine of daily life and want to break this routine. Holidays offer a great escape from all this hectic and busy life. The stress in day-to-day life is so common and high that long exposure to this stress can make us ill. Therefore, we need a break from time to time to explore new things and places. When we go to a new place then we learn many new things and interact with many new cultures. It offers an escape from the familiar and provides an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate. Whether you're lounging on a beach, exploring nature, or immersing yourself in a different city, travelling can be a source of relaxation and a chance to recharge.  Travelling often involves interacting with locals and fellow travellers from different backgrounds. It provides a chance to make new friends, learn from others, and build connections. Meeting people with different perspectives and life experiences can be enriching and create lasting memories and friendships. Tra...
Post a Comment
Read more

17th century Maa Tarna (Shyamakali) Temple, Mandi (Himachal)

I have visited many ancient and beautiful temples of the Himachal  and found them all unique in their beauty and construction. With changing landscape, we can see changes in the designs of temples. From the ancient wood temple of Shakti Devi in Chamba to Masroor Rock temple in Kangra , all temples in Himachal offer something unique and special. Today, I will talk about the Tarna Mata temple situated in the Mandi city of Himachal Pradesh that is also known as Choti Kashi because of 80 plus temples. The actual name of the temple is Shyamakali Temple and it was built by king Shyam Sen in the 17th century on the hill called Tarna; therefore, this temple has got its name of Tarna Mata from the name of the hill on which it was built.  This temple is also a sign of victory of the Mandi kingdom because Raja Shyam Sen built this temple after winning a battle against the rival king of  Suket Jeet Sen. Raja Shyam Sen of Mandi wished from Maa Kali to grant him a win over the Raja J...
Post a Comment
Read more

Information and Glimpse of International Shivratri Festival Mandi (Himachal Pradesh)

In the previous post, I shared with information and pictures of the ancient  Bhootnath Temple  of Lord Shiva in Mandi town . Today, I will be giving you an opportunity to see the glimpse of famous and international Shivratri festival held every year in Mandi near the Bhootnath temple. This fair lasts for seven days and starts on the Shivratri day. This fair is attending by hundreds of local deities and millions of people from across the world. It was a great experience for me to attend this fair because I never saw such fair before in my life. If anyone wants to get the glimpse of the life of Pahari people then he needs to visit this fair. Local deities (Gods and Goddesses) from the temples situated in or around Mandi are invited to attend this festival and some deities travel for many days to reach this spot. During this festival, we can see the use of traditional musical instruments like Karnal, dhol etc. Mandi is also known as small Kashi because of the 81 old temple...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pictures of My Village in Rainy Season

Being in Himachal in rainy season provides a great opportunity to witness many beautiful views. Recently, I visited my village situated in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh and stayed for one day. It rained almost whole day and provided great opportunity to enjoy fresh and humid breeze. At village, we have old ancestral home build in old Himachali style with black slate top which creates beautiful rain music during rains. My village looks very alive and beautiful during rains. Next month, I am again planning to travel to my village and enjoy rains with my family. Below, I am sharing some of pictures of my village from this visit.
Post a Comment
Read more