ENIGMATIC GURUDONGMAR
After the ardours drive, negotiating the undulating roads and driving through lofty mountains above the tree line at an altitude of 17000 ft, awaits the awe-inspiring immaculate beauty of Gurudongmar Lake, which is considered a jewel amid crested peaks.
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Beyond civilization, the only road climbs to an enigmatic landscape disappearing into the spectacular Tibetan plateau.
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This fresh water Lake is located to the north of the famous Kanchenjunga Range in a high plateau area and is fed by glaciers. Although the lake might seem quite small at sight, it has an area of 118 hectares, and its peripheral length is approximately 5.3 km. Gurudongmar Lake is also the source of the Teesta River.
Considered one of the highest lakes in the world, the Gurudongmar Lake is perched at an altitude of 17800 ft above sea level. The area surrounding the lake is inhabited by Himalayan Marmot, Yaks, Blue Sheep and other wildlife predominantly found in high altitude regions.
Upon arriving at the Lake, the rapidly flapping Buddhist prayer flags welcome the visitor. The unmatched beauty of the turquoise blue clear waters of the lake is bewitching.
The pristine clear waters reflect a mirror image of the distant snow capped mountains. This visual paradox enthralls the viewer who for a moment renounces the discomfort caused due to low pressure oxygen, high wind velocity and the bone chilling cold.
In folklore and as per local legends, the people of the area had appealed to Guru Rinpoche while he was returning from Tibet to place his hands on a small part of the frozen lake to unfreeze it. It is believed that since then the water in the lake never froze in winter and thereby facilitated drinking water for the locals.
Some stories also mention that in the 15th century, Guru Nanak Dev Ji while passing through the lake on his return from Tibet was asked by the local people to help make the frozen lake a source of drinking water during the winter period. Thereafter, he touched a part of the lake with his walking stick, making the lake free of snow throughout the year.
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The high altitude lake is located 180 km from Gangtok and about 5 km south of the Tibetan border in the district of North Sikkim. The closest airport is located at Pakyong, at an approximate distance of 195 km and the railhead is located at Siliguri, at an approximate distance of 260 km from the Lake.
The ideal time to visit this Lake is between Apr-Jun. While Indian tourists are allowed to visit the lake unabated, foreigners are required to get a special permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Delhi.
A must visit for nature lovers, trekkers, wildlife and nature photographers. One can enjoy a comfortable and affordable stay along the way at the many hotels, lodges, homestay, etc and also relish the humble mouth watering Tibetan cuisine at many roadside eating joints enroute.
Bon Voyage
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