It all started with a picture I saw of Prashar Lake on the web. I was completely bowled over! I wrote to the website owner Avnish Katoch and he put me in touch with the photographer Yash Raj. Gradually, I learned that to reach Prashar Lake one can take the famous Delhi-Manali route up to Mandi. From Mandi, one can hire a jeep up to Prashar Lake or one can take a bus from Mandi to Bagi (and not Baggi, which is in the opposite direction) and then trek the rest of the way.
Pic : Mridula
Both Sesha and I have motion sickness on the mountain roads and never drive in the hills. But I know of people who have taken their own vehicle up to Prashar Lake from Delhi (for basic driving information explore the Indiamike link at the end of this post). We are also very fond of walking. So, for us it was a bus to Bagi and then trekking up to Prashar Lake. At Bagi, there is one Dhaba where we had bread omelet and tea for breakfast. The young lad running the place told me it took him 1.5 hours to reach Prashar Lake. It took us five hours to cover that distance and let me warn you the way is all uphill.
Pic : Mridula
There is only one place to stay there, the forest department guest house that has to be pre-booked. After walking for five hours the people running the guest house were not very keen to believe us about our reservation. I simply told them that they have to give us the room as I was so tired after walking, I would not go away anywhere else. That worked.
The cook at the forest department guest house has to use wood to make food. So, you get either rice and dal or Chapattis with vegetables. There are two canteens at the lake where you can get tea and Maggi and basic food too if there are enough people at the lake.
Pic : Mridula
If by now you have started questioning why anyone in their right minds would head to such a place, then the answer is the because of the peace and tranquility and the uniqueness of the scenery. The lake on weekends is visited only by a few locals. During the weekdays you can have it entirely to yourself. And take a look at the picture, who would not be tempted to have such a place all to oneself, even if for a few hours!
Pic : Mridula
However, when it was our turn to come back, we refused to contemplate the steep trek route even though this time the walk would have been downhill. We managed to arrange a ride back with a jeep that had come to deliver supplies to one of the canteens.
If you wish to go, here are some useful resources-
A discussion on Indiamike, which I started to gather information before the trip and updates after the trip
My earlier article on Gonomad.com about the Prashar Lake.
Some stunning pictures of the Prashar Lake taken in December by a colleague
lovely pictures Mridula…its very alluring
First photo looks the best
Lakshi, thanks.
Shrinidhi, you should look at the December photographs taken by a colleague, they are stunning.
Awesome place! On my wishlist now!!
Thank you for sharing!!
@ Mridula
Yes, saw them- really stunning…
What a find Mridula. I dont think many people know this place.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Magiceye, one surely must go. Only the food is very basic and accommodation via forest department.
Shrindhi
Nandan, do go, it is a beautiful place. And you have a very interesting site.
Interesting read and fabulous photographs Mridula. It makes me want to wear my trek shoes and leave right away!
your article inspired me to go there… Beautiful Pictures too..
I know the feeling Celine
Gowreesh have been there or are you planning to? If you have been there would love to see the pictures.
Stunning. It’s on my wishlist now!
Fida, i am sure you would like it.
Wonderful photos, and a lovely post!
awesome.. i made a note of it from India mike site
Thanks Kalpesh.
Ravi, Indiamike is quite useful for planning trips and hanging out too
The place is exciting indeed. Sometimes not-so-popular places floor you more than your usual tourist hot spots. The lake reminds me of Ramanagaram, near Bangalore. I went there with a few friends on a trekking/rock-climbing trip. Your post encourages me to write about that trip. This is your second post that is inspiring me do the same (First was Surathkal Beach video posted on your blog). Cheers!
Kalyan thanks, I have looked at your videos too and we capture quite similar things, launching of a boat or landscapes from a train!
Why don’t you try and pitch it to CLAY too?
I am a big fan of small places!
I’m glad you’ve visited mine, Mridula. Sent a post to Lakshmi after her mail. Let me see whether she accepts it.
Kalyan, so what happened? Saw the beach picture at your blog and it was lovely.
@Mridula: The post got finally published at CLAY.
Thanks for letting me know Kalyan. I will dig it out.
dont want to say anything just packbag and visit a place
Ritesh, you would not regret it!
nice picture
i am jayanti
hai i am manoj from patiala Basically belongs to Himachal and i want to go this place.Its very peace.
Hey, we are planing a trip to manali, we are taking our own vehicle, n i realy want to see this place, cn u plz let me knw whether can we go there by our or not? Plz mridula rply a.s.a.p cuz we are moving from ludhiana on this sunday morning.
I am very impressed to see stunning pictures. lovely place to visit, verysoon i will be there on my bike.
Wow. Tranquil and surreal. This one is going on my to do list!
Thank you
dears,19km road is very bad no petrol pumps,either come back early or stay there no problem exellent people to look after u
very very cold nov-feb
life time experience
@all: some of my friends have planned for the trip to parashar lake. But we want to stay there for night. but we r not sure if we can get any hotels near the parashar lake. If any one have any contact plz provide. Also i have heared that the hotel is owned by govt. so if u want to book some room, then we have to find some high person contact in govt. deptt. Is this true? so please reply. We have planned trip on jan mid.
Dev there is a government guest house by the lake and some rooms by the temple. You can book the govt guest house from Mandi, just google the number for DFO Mandi. Otherwise just turn up and request. I am told that the temple rooms are very basic. Hope this helps.