Posted by Dilip Kumar
on 11th March, 2020
Visited in Feb, 2020
Prashar Lake lies 49 km north of Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, India. Located at a height of 2730 m above sea-level, this deep blue water lake is held sacred with a three storied pagoda-like temple dedicated to the sage Prashar.
There is a round, floating island inside the lake. It is composed of plant matter in various stages of decomposition and is held aloft by the oxygen in its plants’ roots.
The floating land moves in all directions in the lake.
Till now the depth of the lake is unknown, with a diver not being able to determine its depth. The local administration has now banned diving in the lake and the lake has been marked sacred.
How to Reach Parashar Lake
Different Trekking organizers may choose different route. One is via Baggi vilage and another via Jwalapur. Our trek starting point was Jwalapur (people still debates which one is better). In my opinion, we saw everything via Jwalapur trek route, so it was better.
By Air:
- The nearest Airport from Prashar Lake is Bhuntar (Kullu), approximately 60 KMs away
- You will have to take a cab/bus to get to Mandi or the meeting point decided by your Trek organizer
- The airport has limited connectivity and might face interruptions in operations, given weather
fluctuations in the region
By Bus:
- Cheapest option to reach this place is via Bus
- You will have multiple options to choose from any city to Mandi. Visit HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) website
- Reach Mandi by bus, then take a local bus from Mandi to Parashar (enquire about your meeting spot from bus conductor, trek organizer or locals)
By Private Vehicle:
- Overall, this journey from New Delhi will take around 12-14 hours of driving time.
- However, there is a lot to explore in terms of Dhaba food along the way. So, enjoy your magnificient pitstops.
- Having your own vehicle/self-drive cab is a great option.
My Trek Organizer
* I was looking for options to go on this trek along with 3 of my cousins.
* Tripवाणी gave me details of the trek organizer “Trekkers Hub“, who were associated with Wanderlust and charged us INR 2400 per person, which included below:
-> Pick-up from Thakur Dhaba at Panarasa (meeting point) : get down here if coming by Bus or come on your own
-> Breakfast at Base Camp in Panarasa
-> Light Snacks to carry during trek : Apple Juice, Sandwich, Chocolate
-> Guided Trek to Parashar Lake from Jwalapur
-> Evening Bonfire with Tea & Pakoda at Parashar Lake
-> 1 Night accommodation in camps at Parashar lake
-> Veg Dinner at lake
-> Next day Breakfast at Parashar Lake
-> Next day Lunch at Base Camp
Things to Carry During The Trip
Considering the extreme cold during winters and frequent weather changes during other days, below items should be handy.
- Rain Coat
- Waterproof and Comfortable Trekking Shoes
- Warm Clothes
- Jacket (prefer with hood)
- Extra Set of clothes
- Warm Innerwear
- Caps/Hats
- Muffler
- Waterproof Backpack (or waterproof cover for backpack)
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- LipBalm
- Personal Toiletries (with sanitizer)
- Umbrella (tough and heavy)
- Trekking Stick
- Torch Light with extra set of batteries
- Energy Bars
- Water Bottle
My Travel Itinerary
* So after finalizing the dates with the group, which was 29th Feb till 1st March 2020, we decided to reach a day before to Himachal from New Delhi so that we can take rest after driving and before trek.
* We started from New Delhi on 27th Feb at 11:30 PM in my brother-in-law’s Hyundai i10 car. We were total 4 people.
Day 1:
* After continuous driving with just one break, we reached Kasol next day at 2:30 PM. Distance from New Delhi to Kasol is approx 525 Kms
* There were 4 toll plazas enroute which costs INR 398 overall
* At Kasol, we booked a room in a camp resort in INR 2000 for 4 people with no inclusions
* After relaxing for a couple of hours, we headed towards Manikaran at 5:00 PM which was only 5 Kms from our hotel
* Manikaran is famous for its hot springs and religious sites. It is a pilgrimage center for Hindus and Sikhs. It has many temples dedicated to Hindu Gods and a gurudwara.
* After darshan at the temple, we had Kadhi-Chawal at the Bhandara there and returned to our hotel by 6:30 PM
* Hotel staff arranged bonfire and we purchased drinks (do not bring alcohol bottles along with you from New Delhi or any other city as you may be frisked by local police enroute which may create trouble)
* We had a good sleep overnight as we were extremely tired
Day 2:
* Next day morning we got up early and checked-out from hotel at 7:15 AM
* We were asked by our trek group to meet at Thakur Dhaba located at a place called Panarsa which was 45 Kms from Kasol
* It took us 2 hours to reach there and by then it was 9:15 AM
* If you are coming by bus, then you can ask your bus driver to drop you at Thakur Dhaba (a popular meeting point)
* We were received there by the representative of the Trek organizer (Trekkers Hub)
* We were taken to their Base Camp which was approx 3 Kms from Thakur Dhaba. They will give you free transport from Thakur Dhaba to Base camp and furthur to the trek starting point at Jwalapur
* We were given breakfast at Base Camp. Then had to wait for few more members who booked this trek and were to accompany us
* Then at 10:15 AM, we started from Base camp towards trek starting point at Jwalapur, which was around 28 Kms
* Since we were travelling by our own car, we parked it at the base camp. Then traveled in their Tata Sumo (included in package)
* We reached Jwalapur at 11:50 AM (you may purchase alcohol on the way if you wish)
* After reaching Jwalapur (trek starting point), they provided light snacks to carry while trekking (sandwich, apple juice and chocolate)
* At 12:05 PM, we started trekking. There were total 17 members (10 male and 7 female) in our group along with a guide.
* Within 1 hour as we started to trek, it started drizzling
* All 4 of us were carrying umbrellas (an essential item while trekking) but not to worry even if you do not, they will offer you the same on rent in 100 rupees
* We understood here why a good waterproof shoes are important or else it would have been very difficult to trek with wet foot
* Another important item here was waterproof coverings for our backpacks
* Anyways with all this, we moved forward. Although it would have been an easy trek but due to rain it moved to little tough to moderate category
* The walkway was narrow and as we moved forward we witnessed beautiful galleries of nature. It was unspoiled, pristine, picturesque, heavenly and whatever adjectives you can use for the panoramic beauty
* We witnessed waterfalls enroute, there were animal skeletons at places and at one place there was a tree fallen on the way which has to be crossed by jumping/climbing over it
* By this time all of us were getting over-excited to witness more and more nature
* After almost 2 hours of trekking, at 2:00 PM our guide asked to take a break of 30 minutes where we had sandwich, apple juice and chocolate provided by them during start
* While trekking, we discovered that 3 of the group members were teachers from famous Super-30 coaching in Bihar, it was nice to interact with them
* After 30 minutes of break, we started to trek again
* As we reached a little far, there was snow on the way. We had to walk over it, it was too slippery. A good waterproof trekking shoe is definitely required
* After crossing snow area, as we were just 1 KM away from the lake, nature was having it’s own plan for us
* Hailstorm, yes you heard it right, a Hailstorm. We had to cover ourselves to protect ourselves from falling hails (hence a tough and heavy umbrella is mandatory or you will not be able to hold it)
* But with all these surprises, we finally reached Parashar Lake at 4:45 PM
* WOW…is the one word to describe the place and view. The whole panoramic view was simply mesmerizing
* We had tea and maggie at one of the shop over there
* Lake was looking marvelous with snow covered mountains in the backdrop
* We stayed there for a while and clicked unlimited photographs
* Our guide informed us that our camp is another 500 meters ahead where we had to stay overnight
* Once we reach the camp, we were served with tea and pakodas. Initially they accomodated us in a big room with chimney burning to keep us warm
* By this time, we noticed that outside it snowfall started
* We were extremely happy as we saw all by this time – waterfalls, rain, hailstorm, snowfall
* Soon, we realized that how important is torch (with an extra set of battery) and power bank, as there was no electricity during the whole time due to snowfall
* A Bluetooth speaker will keep you entertained during late evening
* We were passing our time in the dark with drinks, music and lots of talking
* Around 8:30 PM, we were served dinner which was cooked there only by one of the staff members
* It was veg-only menu since the place is considered to be sacred
* Kadhi-Rice and Rajam-Rice was in the menu which was tasty
* After having dinner, we immediately went to sleep as we were tired too much due to trekking
* As of now, you will be able to talk to your family member only if you have a JIO Sim
Day 3:
* When we woke up next morning, we realized that it snowed during night again. We were eager to have a look at the Parashar lake after snowfall
* We immediately got ready and went to the lake and WOAH…what a beauty it was all around. It was glowing white everywhere
* We then went to the Parashar Rishi (who is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu) temple just next to the lake
* After we returned to the camp from temple and lake, breakfast was ready.
* We had breakfast (aloo-paratha with tea) and then we came to know that due to overnight snowfall, the return trek will not be easy as it will be too slippery
* We were offered return by Taxi via an available motorable road, which is 1 KM from Parashar Lake
* So, people who cannot trek to the lake, can use this road to reach the lake, but they still have to walk for almost 1 km on a hilly trek to reach the lake
* This road passes via Baggi village from Panarasa
* 9 of us took the taxi in INR 4000 to reach our Base camp in Panarasa, which was around 70 Kms from Parashar lake
* We reached the Base camp at around 1:15 PM, where lunch was almost ready. We already had heavy breakfast in morning and also had to leave for New Delhi, so we skipped lunch and headed towards Delhi.
* We started for Delhi at around 2:00 PM and reached in 12 hours at around 2:00 AM post midnight with just one break
* Overall, this was one memorable trip/trek which fulfilled my aspirations and motivated all 4 of us for having such treks regularly
* We will keep on increasing the difficulty level as we proceed
All the Best to you people if you are planning for any such Trek
Just remember trekking basics, trust your guide and always carry essential items
Have a Safe Trekking
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