Gangbal Lake Kashmir | Gangbal Trek | Gangabal Lake Distance | Gangbal Naranag Distance & More
Gangbal Lake Kashmir :
The water of this beautiful lake outflows to River Sind via Nudkol a nearby lake through Wangath Nallah. The famous and popular Gangbal Lake is about 46 kilometers away from the District Headquarters in Srinagar. The visitors and tourists travel by road from Srinagar to Ganderbal and up to Narang and finally, a thirteen-kilometer slope leads the visitors to the Wonderful Gangbal Lake. This 13-kilometer road can also be traveled by hiring a horse or by foot.
Visitors can see the beautiful sight of shepherds grazing their cattle on the route, making the journey more scenic and enjoyable. It also provides an opportunity to observe the nomadic life of Gujjars and Bakerwal who travel vast. The scenic destination is quite exciting and famous for riding, and home to many fishes including rainbow and Brown Trout. The place is also about 36 kilometers from Sonamarg and is one of the most beautiful lakes in Kashmir.
The trekking route of Gangbal Lake is carpeted with a variety of wild Himalayan flowers, unfolding the unreal view of the majestic peaks of the Indian Himalayas making it compulsory to take photographs. The best season to visit Gangbal Lake is July to September. The trekking route of this lake takes us to the exquisite natural beauty of Kashmir.
Gangbal Lake History :
The most beautiful Gangbal lake has been ironically mentioned by Kalhana in Rajtarangani, the trail had been used in ancient times by many Kashmiri rebels including the famous kind Bhoja to take shelter in the Dard area of Gurez and Tilel. The Gangbal trek has been considered the most sacred place for Hindus from a religious point of view. There are other several similar summits and it is quite difficult to recognize which one is real.
This lake is looked upon as the real source of Kashmir Ganga or River Sind and is therefore known as UttarGanga popularly called Gangbal. It is considered the final goal of the great " Haramkutaganga" pilgrimage that usually takes place in the month of Bhadrapada. This pilgrimage is attended by thousands of pilgrims who take the voyage from different parts of the country.
It is quite interesting to know that just at a short distance from this lake is another lake fed by a glacier and is called Nundkol whose old name is derived from a legend that makes this lake the joint habitation of both Kala that is Shiva and his faithful attendant Nandi. After the collection of the whole sacred site, it took the name of Nandiksetra as designated by famous writer Kalhana in his book. The final of the pilgrimage is Naran Nag Spring which has an ancient temple complex. According to historians there used to be seventeen temples of various ages and dimensions which were built by various kings of ancient Kashmir from time to time in honor of Lord Shiva who according to legend had taken residence as Bhutesa. According to Kalhana, the ancient name of Narnag Spring had been the Tirtha of Sodara which is mentioned in Nilmatpuran wherein the ablutions are recommended to pilgrims visiting the Tirthas of Bhutesvara, Jyesthesa, and Nandin.
Gangbal Lake Distance :
Gangbal Lake is considered the best alpine Lake in Kashmir and the Trek is famous for many wonderful attractions. It is important to hire tents, sleeping bags, camps, and eatables before proceeding on the adventurous trip to the lake. The place is truly a paradise from the scenic point of view and is approachable from Srinagar, the summer Capital of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in India by road. It is situated at a distance of about 45 kilometers from Srinagar city via Ganderbal up to Narang. After Narang, there is 15 15-kilometer Trek upslope Trek leading to this splendid Lake. This Upslope Trek of 15 Kilometers can be covered either by hiring a horse or by foot.
You can come across many shepherds who generally flock their sheep and goats on this trek. Gangbal Lake is also accessed by another trek of 25 kilometers that leads to this lake site Somamarg side via Vishansar Lake crossing 3 Mountain passes namely Nichnai Pass, Gadsar Pass, and Zajilbal Pass situated at an altitude of 4100 meters from the sea level.
It is also important to tell you all that this amazing Lake is also accessed through a Trek from Bandipora Via Arin. The trek leading here takes place in an alpine environment with a lot of huts of shepherds with their herds, and many meadows crossing through 2 important passes over 4,000 meters to reach Gangbal Lake.
Conclude :
Gangbal Lake is a Sacred place of Hindus and in the past, Kashmiri Hindus used to immerse the ashes of the dead after cremation in the lake. It has become a big adventurous tourist spot and this trek needs at least 3 days and two nights to complete the trip. The best time to visit here is from June to mid-September and before and after these seasons the weather remains quite harsh in this place.
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