Himachal Pradesh with its beautiful hills, has beautiful lakes with cool and serene water, which inhance the immense beauty of Himachal Pradesh. Well known lakes of Himachal are as follows :
Govind Sagar lake:
This is an artificial river in Bilaspur district, formed as a result of world famous Bhakra Dam on the Satluj river. This is the India's largest fishing pond and becoming popular for fishing and water sport.
Khajjiar lake:
It is a small lake which is 1.5 km long and 1 km wide in the centre of a grassy medow surrounded by Deodar (cedrus deodara) forests, forms the center piece of Khajjiar. A trample is located in the center which is dedicated to the "Khajjiar nag". It is 24 km away from Dalhousie, the nearby town. Khajjiar is also known as 'mini sweatzerland' of India.
It was charrished mini Switzerland by Swiss Envoy Willy P. Blazer on 7th July 1992. P. Blazer put up a yellow Swiss hiking footpath signboard which formally and officially declared Khajjiar as mini Switzerland. The sign board indicates the actual distance from Swiss capital Berne upto Khajjiar as 6194 km.This lake remains full of water throughout all season.
Lama Dal lake :
This lake is located 45 km from chamba. This lake is often confused with Dal lake which is located at Dharamshala.
Lama dal lake is the group of 7 lakes largest of all is lama dal lake. It is 2 km long and situated at an altitude of 3962 meters, having such lake at this altitude is a kind of wonder itself. It is said to have unknown depth and considered to be scared one.
Manimahesh lake :
Manimahesh lake is situated at an altitude of 3950 meters above mean sea level at the foot of mount kailash. The lake is supposed to be blessed by goddess Kali and protected by lord Shiva. A fair is held every year at this lake during month of August or September.
Rewalsar lake :
It is situated in Mandi district. It is known as floating island. This river has many religious beliefs. Mainly it connects with the Buddhist mythology. Rivalsar is known as padamacan to Buddhist which means 'lotus possessing' and is considered as the place where Padamsambhava rests.
Prashar lake:
It is situated at 2743 meters above sea level and is 30 kms from mandi town. This lake is situated on cup like valley. A temple dedicated to Prashar rishi is also there. The water of lake is cool, clear, and calm.
Renuka lake :
This lake is 45 km away from Nahan. This is a natural lake with clear and clean water. The lake salters the wild life sanctuary having many animals and birds. It is shaped like a sleeping lady. It is believed that lake is formed when when mother Renuka sacrificed by her son lord परशुराम in obedience to his father rishi Jamdagni.
Suraj Tal:
It is situated at an altitude of 4800 meters. It is located in district Lahaul-spiti. This is a beautiful lake and the source of river Bhaga.
Chandra Tal :
Chandra tal is in the central Lahaul at an altitude of 4270 meters. This lake is also known as 'lake of the Moon'. The crystal clear water of the lake shining in the light gives mesmerising view and one just can't shrink shrink having short bath in cold water.
It is source of river chandra. The lake lies in large depression formed by glaciers and remain completely frozen during winter.
Story of charndra tal and suraj tal:
Chandra was believed to be the daughter of moon and Bhaga was believed to be the son of God Sun. They both were in love but their parents were against there love therefore they formed lakes Suraj Tal and Chandra Tal and meeta at Baralacha pass and form chandra-bhaga river
Pong lake:
Lake is made out of Beas river. In 1960 a dam was built on the Beas river in Himachal Pradesh. This dam resulted in the formation of huge reservoirs that is Pong lake.
A visit to pong lake shows that the main lake, having four islands and provides rhe best feeding ground for water birds and a nestling place for migratory birds. 30-50 thousand migratory birds belongs to 50 different species visit this lake every year.
Pong lake is the only place in India other than Bharatpur (Rajasthan) where the rare red necked grebe has found.
