|
Chandra Taal (meaning the Lake of the Moon), or Chandra Tal,
is situated at an elevation of about 4,300 metres in the
Himalayas and 7 kms away from the Kunzum Pass in Spiti and
Lahaul district of Himachal Pradesh India. Mountains of scree
overlook the lake on one side, and a wonderful cirque presents
a view on the other. The name of the lake originates from its
hemispherical shape. Chandra Taal is a famous destination for
campers and trekkers which is situated in the Spiti part of
the Lahul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. The lake is
reachable on foot from Batal as well as from Kunzum Pass from
late May to early October. There is also a motorable road from
Batal which is 16 km away from Chandra Taal, but before
August, its condition can be bad. The road from Kunzum Pass is
reachable only on foot, and it is about 8 km from Chandra Taal.
Suraj Tal is also reachable from Chandra Taal which is about
30 km away. Vast meadows on the banks of the lake are the
camping sites. During springtime, these meadows are carpeted
with hundreds of kinds of wildflowers.
Mostly surrounded with snow, this deep blue-water lake has a
circumference of 2.5 Kilometers. Some people also call it Moon
Lake and is also one of the source of the violent Chandra
River. Chandrabhaga and Moulkila mountain ranges having snow
capped peaks and snow slopes around the valley measures from
3000 meters to 6500 meters approximately. Locales there,
believe that it is this point from where Yudhishtra (Eldest
among Pandava of Mahabharata epic) was taken to heaven in his
mortal form. It’s a very luring place.
The lake is situated on the Samudra Tapu plateau, which
overlooks the Chandra River.The lake is one of two
high-altitude wetlands of India which have been designated as
Ramsar sites.Climate of Chandratal is very cold during
winter and temperature may drop well even below 20 degrees.
Although cold during summer, snowfall can happen anytime of
the year here.
The Chandratal lake which was once a halting place for traders
who went to Spiti and the Kullu valley from Tibet and Ladakh
attracts a large number of photographers and adventure
lovers.The most surprising thing about this lake is that there
is no visible source of this lake but there is a visible
outlet of this lake which means that water to this lake comes
from underground.
The mountains peaks with snow caps and slopes around the
valley rise up to 3000 meters to 6300 meters. The mountain
ranges are called Chandrabhaga and Moulkila which challenge
mountaineers.This crystal clear blue water lake lies in a
broad lush plain, which in ancient times was a glacier,
Perfect for camping, can be approached from Manali and by
Kaza. According to legend, this lake is the location from
where god Indra’s chariot picked up Yudhishthira, the eldest
of the Pandava brothers. As a result, this lake is a honored
and draws a large number of devotees. |
Chat
