Gangabal Lake or Gangbal Lake is a hill top lake in India. This glacial lake is important for the pilgrims of Hindu community. This lake is also a favourite place for the people who love to trek in the midst of the Greater Himalayan Mountain Region of India.
Location of Gangabal Lake
Gangabal Lake, also called Gangbal Lake, is a lake situated at the foothills of Mount Haramukh, which is also known as the highest mountain peak in the vicinity of Kashmir valley. This location is pointed in Ganderbal district of the north of Srinagar city in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Geography of Gangabal Lake
Gangabal Lake is an alpine high altitude oligotrophic lake. This glacial lake is formed by the melting of snow and it is the home to many species of fish, which includes the brown trout. The lake has a maximum length of two and a half kilometres and maximum width of one kilometre. It is fed by precipitation, glaciers and springs. The lake water outflows to a nearby Nundkol Lake and then via Wangath nallah to Sind River. The trout fishes are present in the lake.
Mythological History of Gangabal Lake
According to the Hindu mythological history, Gangbal Lake or Gangabal Lake is also called Harmukut Ganga, and it is believed that this place is as pious as Haridwar where Hindu pilgrims perform prayers and immerse ashes of the dead.
Festival near Gangabal Lake
A conventional yearly three-day-long yatra or the holy journey of pilgrims of Hindu community has been revived by APMCC and Kashmiri Pandits to preserve their cultural and religious history. This Harmukh Gangbal Yatra is performed annually in the month of September.
Visiting Information
Gangabal Lake or Gangbal Lake is approached from Srinagar 45 kilometres by road via Ganderbal up to Naranag, the hill station and then a trek of 15 kilometres up slopes leads to the lake, which can be covered by a horse ride or by foot. The shepherds and Gujjar tribal people can be seen during the trek with their flocks of sheep and goats. There is another trek (25 kilometres long) leading to the lake site from Sonamarg via the Vishansar. Gangabal Lake crossing three mountains passes Nichnai pass, Gadsar pass and Zajibal pass of an average elevation of 4100 meters. It can also be accessed through a trek from Bandipore via Arin.
