15 Highest Lakes In India That Transform Into a Frozen Spectacle During Winters

Suraj Tal is a holy lake from where the Bhaga River originates. Bhaga River joins Chandra downstream in Tandi to make Chandrabhaga. Just below the Baralacha Pass at an altitude of 4890 m ASL, it is one of the highest lakes in India worth witnessing. Suraj Tal has a religious importance for locals of the area and is best seen at dawn as the sun is reflected beautifully on the surface of the lake.

Situated at an altitude of 17,800 ft, Gurudongmar Lake is officially the highest lake in India. It is said that Guru Padmasambava, Indian Buddhist master, came to a village nearby and saw its people troubled because of the lack of fresh drinking water. He went to the lake, which was completely frozen and struck the ground, thawing a large area of the lake. Gurudongmar is revered as one of the 108 "Tso-Chen" of Sikkim where holy deities reside.

At 17,480 ft, Tso Lhamo is a fresh water lake situated at close proximity to the Tibetan border. Tso Lhamo is another one of the afore mentioned 109 "Tso Chen" of Sikkim. This fresh water lake is the source of river Teesta and because it is so close to the border, you require an army-approved permit to enter.

Officially known as the Tsomoriri Wetland Conservation Reserve, this part of Ladakh is known as the Trans-Himalayan biogeographic region. The unique variety of flora and fauna around the massive lake is now a reserve where the Indian Wildlife Association has set up base for research and study purposes. Tucked amidst the cold desert of Ladakh, this high altitude lake in India is a sheer spectacle to behold.

Situated en route to the hardcore trekking haven Sela Pass, Sela Lake is considered so beautiful that it is also called the Paradise Lake. This high altitude lake in the lower himalayas is also the source of many small rivers that flow out of the lake, making its water exceptionally pure and fresh.

Popularized by the Bollywood hit '3 Idiots', Pangong Tso has a sprawling length of 130 km and width of 70 km. When the lake freezes in winters, its hard ice surface becomes walkable for visitors travelling the distance to see this high altitude lake in the northern end of India.

The mysterious lake of Roopkund is not an easy one to reach. A trek of two days takes you to this lake where you can find the bones of humans and animals at the bottom. It is believed that during the olden times the journey or yatra of a king and his consorts was hindered by the bad weather near Roopkund. Unable to find a shelter in the wilderness, they perished and the human bones at Roopkund are the only remaining traces of this narrative.

Located at 12,000ft above sea level, Tsongo is not too far from Gangtok, which makes it a beautiful getaway to the hills for locals and tourists alike. But this high altitude lake in the north-eastern part of India has a unique and fascinating characteristic, which makes it important in both Buddhism and Hinduism. Due to natural reasons, the lake takes different colours during different seasons, and Buddhist monks prognosticate after studying the changing colours of the lake.

We've saved the best for the end. Dal Lake might as well be a geological monument given its characteristics and location, making it the most important lake in India. Surviving the city of Srinagar, this lake has become a part of the culture, history and future of Kashmiris. With floating gardens that feed the population, to a circumference decorated with historical buildings such as Hari Parbat, Shankaracharya Mandir, Hazratbal Dargah and Chashme Shahi, the Dal Lake stands as the last surviving symbol of secularism in Kashmir. The lake also serves as a flood lung of the life-giving Jhelum river that flows through the entire Kashmir valley. During severe winter, this lake freezes, and delivers its ice surface as a field for sports such as ice hockey.

This spectacle of a lake sits tucked away towards the east of Rohtang Pass in Kullu Valley. The lake is named after the famous sage Maharshi Bhrigu, who meditated at this high altitude lake at 14,100ft above sea level. In the present days, it is a choicest destination for trekkers who wish to explore the pleasing isolated corners of the Himalayas.

Check out the Team Trek Trails's journey to Bhrigu Lake.

Along the trail of the lakes of Kashmir, lies one of the highest lakes in India called Gadsar Lake or the Yemsar Lake. It is also known as the 'lake of flowers' owing to the blossoming flowers along the route during the summer season. The name Gadsar in Kashmiri means the lake of fishes. The lake is named so because of the abundance of trout fish here.

The almond-shaped Tarsar Lake in the Kashmir Valley is yet another majestic spectacle on the Great Lakes Trek. The lake is separated from its twin waterbody Marsar by a mountain. The lakes are surrounded by the Kolahoi mountain. Located at 14,000ft of elevation, these twin lakes are some of the most stunning high altitude lakes in India that have become a haven for trekkers.

Gangabal Lake is the one of the highest lakes in India and the hightest lake in the Kashmir Valley fed by surrounding majestic glaciers. It is an alpine high altitude lake that flows into the nearby Nundkol Lake, which is equally beautiful. The lake is located midway on the Kashmir Great Lakes trek that takes you on an exclusive trek around the lakes in the region.

Named after the sage Prashar (father of Ved Vyas), Prashar Lake is said to be the place where the mighty sage meditated. In the 14th century, a pagoda was built by Raja Ban Sen, giving this isolated meditation spot religious and spiritual validation. Along with the beautiful lake, the specific area is also well known for the stunning panoramic view it gives of the entire valley.