Sheshnag Lake

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Sheshnag Lake
Location Anantnag, Kashmir valley, India
Coordinates 34°05′37″N 75°29′48″E / 34.093697°N 75.496686°E / 34.093697; 75.496686Coordinates: 34°05′37″N 75°29′48″E / 34.093697°N 75.496686°E / 34.093697; 75.496686
Type Oligotrophic lake
Primary inflows Melting of snow
Primary outflows A tributory of Lidder River
Max. length 1.1 kilometres (0.68 mi)
Max. width 0.7 kilometres (0.43 mi)
Surface elevation 3,590 metres (11,780 ft)
Frozen December to March

Sheshnag Lake (Sanskrit: शेषनाग झील) is an alpine high altitude oligotrophic lake[1] situated at the track leading to Amarnath cave 23 kilometers from Pahalgam in Anantnag district of Kashmir valley in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir at an elevation of 3590 meters. It has a maximum length of 1.1 kilometers and maximum width of 0.7 kilometers.

Etymology, geography

According to the Hindu mythology Sheshnag means the king of snakes[2] and the lake was dug by Sheshnag himself.[3] It is believed by the Hindus that Sheshnag stays in this Lake even today.[4] It is one of the most ancient places of pilgrimage for the Hindus, as it lies on the track of Amarnath cave.

Sheshnag Lake is home to many types of fishes[5] among of which is the brown trout.[6] It freezes during winter, and is inaccessible during this season due to heavy snowfall. It is surrounded by green lush meadows and mountains covered by snow.[7] Sheshnag Lake is one of the famous tourist destination in Kashmir Valley. It is mostly fed by melting of snow and streams coming down from mountain tops. It drains out through a stream which joins Lidder River at Pahalgam.

Access

Sheshnag Lake is situated 120 kilometers east from Srinagar and 23 km from Pahalgam. It can be accessed[8] 113 km by road up to Chandanwari from which ponies can be hired to cover a trek of 7 km upslope to reach the Sheshnag Lake. Amarnath cave is situated 20 kilometers north of this lake. The best time to visit the lake is from the month of June to September.

Gallery

  • Sheshnag6.jpg
  • Sheshnag Lake-Amarnath Yatra Series.jpg
  • Sheshnag Lake.jpg

References

  1. ↑ Raina, HS; KK Vass (May–June 2006). "Some biological features of a freshwater fairy shrimp, Branchinecta schantzi, Mackin, 1952 in the Northwestern Himalayas, India". J. Indian Inst. Sci. 86: 287–291. Retrieved 23 April 2012. 
  2. ↑ "Indian Mythology; Hindu Myrhology: Sheshnag". webonautics.com. Retrieved 2012-04-23. 
  3. ↑ "Sheshnag Lake". yahoo.com. Retrieved 2012-04-23. 
  4. ↑ Bhag-P 5.25.1
  5. ↑ "Fishes and Fisheries in high altitude lakes, Vishansar, Gadsar, Gangabal, Krishansar". Fao.org. Retrieved 1999. 
  6. ↑ Petr, ed. by T. (1999). Fish and fisheries at higher altitudes : Asia. Rome: FAO. p. 72. ISBN 92-5-104309-4. 
  7. ↑ "Pahalgam Sheshnag". cambaytours.com. Retrieved 2012-04-23. 
  8. ↑ "Travel to Sheshnag lake". travelomy.com. Retrieved 2012-04-23. 

External links

  • External video
    Amarnath yatra Sheshnag lake on Youtube
Passes
Valleys
Cities and Towns
Rivers, glaciers and lakes
Mountains
Hill stations and Mughal gardens
See also
Rivers
Lakes
Glaciers
Dams, Barrages
Hydrography of surrounding areas
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Punjab, India
  • Pakistan
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