Manasbal Lake is a natural water lake in Himalayan Mountain Range in India. It is located in Ganderbal District in Jammu and Kashmir.
Location of Manasbal Lake
Manasbal Lake is situated in Pir Panjal Range and the Greater Himalayan Mountain Range in India which falls in the Ganderbal District of Jammu and Kashmir.
Naming of Manasbal Lake
The name Manasbal is said to be a derivative of the Lake Manasarovar. Manasbal Lake is encircled by three villages viz., Jarokbal, Kondabal (also called Kiln place, is situated on the north-eastern side of the lake) and Ganderbal and is stated to be the deepest lake (at 13 m or 43 ft depth) in India.
History of Manasbal Lake
It is believed, according to the medieval history of Jammu and Kashmir, to be an ancient lake by locals but exact dating is yet to be done. Close to the northern shore of the lake are the ruins of a 17th-century fort, called the Jarogabagh, built by the Mughal Emperor in India, used in the past by caravans travelling from Punjab to Srinagar.
Geography of Manasbal Lake
Manasbal Lake is surrounded by the Baladar Mountains on the east, by an elevated plateau known as `Karewa` comprising lacustrine, fluviatile and loessic deposits on the north and bounded by the Ahtung hills in the south, which are used for limestone extraction. Along the course of the Jhelum River, the Manasbal Lake falls under the third series of high altitude lakes of the Himalayas (designated with respect to their origin, altitudinal situation and nature of biota they contain) as the valley lakes (Dal Lake, Anchar Lake, Manasbal Lake etc.) situated at the altitudinal zone of 1,585-1,600 m (5,200-5,249 ft); the other two types being the high altitude wetlands of the second series of lakes (Nilnag) in the lower fringes of Pir Panjal Mountain ranges in India right in the midst of pine forests, and the glaciated lakes of the first series situated on the inner Himalayas between 3,000-4,000 m (9,800-13,100 ft).
Lotus in Manasbal Lake
The large growth of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) at the periphery of Manasbal Lake during July and August adds to the beauty of the clear waters of the lake. The Mughal garden, called the Jaroka, (meaning bay window) built by Nur Jahan overlooks the lake.
Bird watching Near Manasbal Lake
Manasbal Lake is a good place for bird watching as it is one of the largest natural stamping grounds of aquatic birds in Jammu and Kashmir and has the sobriquet of "supreme gem of all Kashmir Lakes". The rootstocks of lotus plant which grows extensively in the lake are harvested and marketed, and also eaten by the local people.
Visiting Information
Manasbal Lake is approached from Srinagar by a 30-kilometre (19 mi) road via Shadipora, Nasim and Gandarbal. Road to Wular Lake, the largest lake in Kashmir, passes through this lake, via Safapora. It is also easy to reach to Manasbal from Sonmarg via Ganderbal District.
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Jammu and Kashmir, Indian State
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