July 13th, 2018 by OYO Team

Imagine the expansive green meadows with snow-covered peaks visible on the horizon. And the deep blue water of the high-altitude lake makes the scenery just perfect! The Prashar Lake in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh is a hidden gem.

Here is everything you need to know to discover this best-preserved secret of the Himalayas.

Highlights of the Trek

  • Panoramic views of Dhauladhar, Kinnaur and Pir Panjal mountain ranges.
  • A short trek through meadows and dense forests.
  • Deep blue waters of the lake surrounded by a green carpet of wild verdure if you attempt the trek during July and August.
  • Pristine snow covering everything but the lake in the months of January – March.
  • The ancient pagoda-style temple located beside the calm lake.
  • Best Time for the Prashar Lake Trek – Any time of the year except monsoon. Last week of December to mid-March for winter trek.

Note: Sometimes the road from Baggi to Parashar Lake may be closed due to heavy accumulation of snow during January and February.

  • Maximum Elevation – Parashar Lake (2574 m)
  • Grade – Easy. Recommended for first-time trekkers.
  • Duration of the Trek – Two Days
  • Trekking Distance – 15 km (7.5 km each day)
  • Villages on the Trail – Baggi
  • Starting Point of the Trek – Baggi

Religion and Culture

 

Parashar Lake is a sacred place for Hindus. It is believed that the mythological sage Parashar used to meditate here. Sage Parashar is the son of Maharishi Shakti and the grandson of Maharishi Vashisht. The old pagoda-like temple is dedicated to him.

Landscape

The Himalayan mountains are covered with dense forests and beautiful grass giving a soothing green colour to the landscape. Various snow-covered peaks of Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal and Kinnaur guard the sky in this Himalayan abode.

Other Things You Can Do

With Parashar lake as your base camp, you can attempt a 12 km trek to Tunga Mata temple located above the Prashar Lake. The trail of this trek consists of a steep climb on the mountain ridge located behind the lake.

On your way back, you can visit some offbeat places near the lake, like Kamrunag Lake & Temple, Chindi, Barot, Shikari Devi temple and Pandoh.

Preparation

Baggage:

  • Waterproof Rucksack – 1 (20-30 litre)

Clothes:

  • Cotton Shirts/T-shirts – 3
  • Cotton pants/Trousers – 2
  • Thermals (Upper+Lower) – 1 pair
  • Sweater (Full Sleeved ) – 1
  • Windcheater/Raincoat – 1
  • Warm Thick Jacket – 1
  • Trek Boots – 1 pair
  • Cotton Socks – 4 pairs
  • Slippers (Optional) – 1 pair
  • Woollen Cap – 1
  • Dark Sunglasses – 1 pair

Toiletries:

  • Towel – 1
  • Toilet Kit – soap, shampoo sachets, face wash
  • Deodorant
  • Toilet Paper Roll
  • Sun Cream – SPF 40 or above
  • Lip balm/Vaseline

Accessories:

  • Torch with extra batteries
  • Camera with spare batteries
  • Personal Medicines
  • First-Aid Kit – paracetamol (for fever), ibuprofen (analgesic), digene, norflox, pain relief spray, band-aids, crepe bandage, soframycin, cotton buds, hand sanitizer
  • Water Bottle (1 ltr) – 1
  • Big Polybag for waterproofing needs

Emergency food items:

  • Chocolates
  • Glucose Powder
  • Dry Fruits

How To Reach Prashar Lake:

 

To understand and choose from the options available, we can divide the whole journey into two parts:

Delhi – Mandi (430 km)

By Bus: You can take a bus to Mandi from Delhi. Buses going to Kullu or Manali, go via Mandi. It is usually a 12 hours journey. You can choose between government and private bus operators.

By Air:

Bhuntar is the nearest airport which is about 60 km away. You can cover the rest of the distance from Bhuntar to Mandi via roads.

Mandi – Baggi (28 km)

 

You can hire a taxi from Mandi to Baggi.

Itinerary

Day 1: Baggi Village – Prashar Lake

Highlight of the Day: Hiking through the dense jungle to the beautiful paradise like lake.

Since this is a very short trek, you can cover the distance of 7.5 km between Baggi and Prashar lake in just 4 to 5 hours. After crossing the stream, you will reach a forested valley. The trail will then pass through a small stream on the right. A few minutes from this point, the trek uphill becomes steep. After hiking for an hour or so, you might encounter some snow (high chances in winters) which could make it slippery.

You will come across a Shiva trident. Continue the trail through a dense jungle crossing the green or snow-covered clearing. When you reach a level ground, continue the trek for another 40-45 minutes or so. You will get to see the snow-capped peaks of Dhauladhar, Pir-Panjal and Kinnaur ranges for the first time after completing this stretch of the trail. A final trail towards your left takes you to Parashar lake, hidden behind the forest.

You realise that you are a few meters away from the lake when you spot the beautiful pastures stretched in front of you along with some huts. As you reach the Forest House, you can start following the levelled path to reach the lake. This will take another half an hour approximately.

But there is something more! There is also an ancient three-storied temple. It is said to have been built by Raja Ban Sen of Mandi in the 15th century. As per the folklore, it took around 18 years to complete its construction in deodar wood. The intricate carvings of animals and serpents make it even more spectacular. A lot of locals and people from all over the world arrive here during the annual festival of this temple which is held in the month of June.

Day 2: Parashar Lake – Baggi Village

On the next day, follow the same trail to climb down. However, there can be some slippery patches while going downhill. Hence, you will have to be extra careful. Even while descending, you would find it hard to bid adieu to the immersive beauty of Prashar Lake!

Whether it is the hilltop lake, the temple, or the trail crossing the dense forest, this trek entirely will let you soak into the mysticism of the Himalayas. The good part is that the trek being easy lets first-time trekkers explore this Himalayan secret without much strain. You too can explore it by using Kullu as the base for this hike.

About OYO Team

We’re people who love to travel and it’s a pleasure to share our experiences from around the world with you here. You’ll see our favourite destinations, quirky stays and budget stay. Also the best wedding banquet halls and the most lit party destinations. You’ll also find insightful opinions about why we travel in the first place and what it’s really like out there. Enjoy the blog and please tell us what you think - feedback welcome!