Khecheopalri Lake

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Khecheopalri Lake
Location	Sikkim
Basin countries	India

A mist-shrouded view of the lake during the rains

Khecheopalri lake in West Sikkim district of the Indian state of Sikkim is considered a holy lake both by the Buddhist and the Hindu population.^[1] The lake is enveloped in a dense forest cover of temperate vegetation and bamboo. The placid waters of the lake are visited by many pilgrims and tourists. The closest town is Pelling. From the main gate, where are small shops and road ends, to the lake is about a ten to fifteen minutes walk through a lovely tropical forest.

The boardwalk leading to the lake

The stupa near the lake

A peculiar aspect of the lake is the absence of leaves floating on the waters. This is explained by the duck population who are known to remove the leaves as soon as they fall on the surface, giving it a clear and smooth surface.^{[citation needed]}

Long time back this place used to be a grazing ground, troubled by nettle. Then on a certain day, conchshells were seen falling on the ground. This was followed by severe shaking of the ground and water emerged from below. This lake was then termed as the footprints of Goddess Tara.^{[citation needed]}

(From a high enough vantage point the contours of the lake look like a footprint - believers hold that it is situated in Shiva's footmarks).^{[citation needed]}