Mansar Lake: Jammu’s Mansarover

Fringed by low-lying hills on the outskirts of the Surinsar-Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary, Mansar Lake is a picnic spot and pilgrimage site, together with its twin lake, Surinsar, nearby. Mansar Lake is revered for its mythological connection to the sacred Mansarovar Lake in Tibet. The faithful take dips in its waters during festivals, while newlyweds circumambulate the lake’s perimeter to seek the blessings of Sheshnag, Lord of Serpents, whose shrine is located on its eastern bank.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Mansar Lake is a quiet place, good for walks, boat rides and temple visits. A paved walkway rings the lake, backed by manicured lawns. Boats lie moored along the eastern shore, which is dotted with temples, while its western arm has eateries and JKTDC’s Hotel Alpine Mansar.

Mansar Lake’s main shrine, the Pracheen Baba Sheshnagji Temple houses a statue of the six-headed snake god. A temple to Durga, another to Narasimha (Vishnu’s half man-half lion avatar) and a third to Umapati-Mahadev (Parvati-Shiva) lie in the vicinity.

Surinsar-Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary

About 10 km short of Mansar lake, the road climbs up craggy, tabletop hills that are covered with scrub, peepal and acacia trees. These hills are part of the Surinsar-Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary that is bounded on either side by its two namesake lakes.

Encompassing 98 sq km, the sanctuary is home to cheetal, nilgai, barking deer, ghoral, wild boar and leopards as well as birds such as black partridges, blue rock pigeons and rufus turtle doves. March to May is best for birding, while September to March is good for mammal spotting. The route passes the sacred Surinsar Lake. Lotuses bloom and buffaloes wallow in the lake’s placid waters. An annual mela each August attracts scores of devotees, who come to offer prayers at the Nag Devta Temple and take a dip in the lake’s holy waters.

Nag Devta Temple at Mansar Lake

Vandana Mohindra

WHERE TO STAY AND EAT

JKTDC’s Alpine Hotel Mansar (Tel: 01990-246122, Cell: 09419212465; Tariff: ₹700-5,000) and their Tourist Huts are the only choices here. The inhouse Lake View Restaurant serves Indian and Chinese vegetarian food. Next door, Café Crane Restaurant serves similar fare. A few dhabas sit around the lake and a row of shops selling cold drinks and chips is close by.

When to go Year-round but November to March is the best time Location Within the Surinsar-Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary Air Nearest airport: Jammu Rail Nearest rail: Jammu Tawi