Prashar Lake is surrounded by Dhauladhar ranges in Kullu valley. It is the best-kept secret of the Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. It is a great trek to connect to the local culture. It has a maximum altitude of 8,900 ft and the trek follows a trail through forest and some rivulets as well as a village.
It offers a view of Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal, and Kinnaur mountain ranges. The base camp is in Biaggi and the trek has a duration of two days. It is the perfect getaway from your monotonous lifestyle and ventures into the flora and fauna.
History
It is believed that Bhima, one of the five Pandavas, had created the lake. The Sage Prashar meditated on the banks of this lake, hence the name Prashar lake. The depth of the lake is yet unknown to people. This relation to Mahabharata attracts a lot of people who are amazed by mystical tales.
Difficulty level
The difficulty level is easy to moderate because it’s very beginner-friendly and is available for trekking throughout the year.
Best time to visit
You can escape to this breathtaking gift of nature anytime as it can be visited throughout the year. It has a good climate and you can go trekking here irrespective of what season it is. But to make the most of your experience it is better to visit during winter.
Trek time
It is a two-day trek.
On Day 1 you would travel from Mandi to Kantlu by one hour drive. From Kantlu to Prashar lake takes 5 hours.
On day 2 you return to Kantlu from Prashar Lake through a different route and this takes approximately 3.5 hours.
Trail information
Day 1:
Kantlu is two hours away from Mandi. The trail begins with a steep ascent of about 500m through open land. The trail leads you to an entrance into the forest. Here, the trail becomes a gradual ascent. After 400m of walking, you can have a full view of the Dhauladhar range. The trail then enters an oak forest, it ascends gradually and after 1km you reach another clearing. After walking for 700m you reach Til which has a lot of shops for refilling your fodder. From Til you reach a meadow in 600m which leads you to an apple orchard. After walking 1km you reach a clearing from where you get an amazing view of Triund, Dhauladhar Matterhorn, Kap Chuli, Man Hill, Hanuman Tibba, Sikar Beh, Mukar Beh, Manali peak, Friendship peak, Mukila, Ali Ratni Tibba, and many smaller ranges surrounded by a beautiful valley. After walking for 2 more kilometers you’ll reach Prashar Lake. The lake is protected by a fence and you cannot enter it. There’s a small island inside the lake which is known to float occasionally and you’d be lucky to witness it. The temple nearby is dedicated to Sage Prashar and is a treat to the eyes of architecture lovers.
Day 2:
After walking through the motorable road for 1.5km turn right to a narrow path through grasslands. The trail enters the dense forest and after walking for 500m take the right at the diversion. The trail descends from here and after 1.2 km you reach an ascent. In 200m you reach the motorable road and then enter a forest. In a short while, you’ll reach the route you took from Day 1. Follow this route to reach Kantlu. Then depart for Mandi from Kantlu.
Activities
•sight-seeing
•Visit Prashar temple which holds significance in Indian mythology.
• Enjoy the rich culture throughout the journey.
• Hike through the forest and several streams.
• Camping under the stars and waking up to a beautiful sunrise.
Precautions and Essentials
•Good trekking shoes are a must to ensure a comfortable trekking experience.
• Wear light and comfortable clothes.
• Alcohol consumption and smoking are highly inadvisable.
• You should stay in a group as there are wild animals in the forests.
• Carry water and some food with yourself.
• Carry a double strap backpack ( no sling bag).
•Carry mosquito repellent and torches/headlamps with you.
•Carry raincoats, jackets, first aid, and some extra clothes for emergencies.
It is a friendly experience as the trail is a combination of village fields, forest, and streams. It has great mythological significance and the Prashar temple would be loved by all architecture lovers and it adds a great deal to our culture. The hospitality is beyond imagination, and the local people are friendly and helpful. The perfect combination of natural beauty, rich culture, and myth mayhem. Isn’t it perfect for all kinds of travelers and trekkers? It’s an all in all package of everything you need for the best trekking experience.
