Gosaikunda Lake

Gosaikunda Lake

Gosaikunda is a famous name for the purest holy lake. It is situated in Rasuwa district of Nepal covering a surface with about 13.8 ha (34 acres). It lies, north from Kathmandu between Helambu, Langtang Valley, and Langtang National Park. The measurement shows that it is 43 (kilometers) far from Kathmandu city. It stands steadily 4,380 meters high from the sea level. This is also well- known for the sacred lake in Nepalese society because of a historical belief that connects the lake to Lord Shiva, the god of power and destruction in Hindu mythology. As this sacred lake is constantly spreading its divine blessing to the people. Most of the people believe that Lord Shiva, who meditate for several years in a Himalaya of Nepal and Tibet, took a bath in this lake for acquiring purity of soul. So people of Hindu religion follow the same rituals to purify their souls through various sins. Especially on the full moon day of August falls in the month of Shrawan, people of Nepal celebrate the Janai-Purnima (a very famous festival of Nepal) and on that day there at Gosaikunda seems filled with devotees. On this very special day there attends a religious mela (Nepali Carnival) by Hindus and do celebrate with Buddhist community as well. This day pilgrim whoever congregates this mela changes their Janais- the sacred thread worn around the body or on the wrist by the Hindu Brahmins but before all the devotees take bath and pray to homage to Lord Shiva. This means their sin, sorrow, and pain are assumed to wash off by the pure water of this lake.

Gosaikunda Lake was derived or believed to have been created by Lord Shiva when he thrust his Trishula (Trident) into a mountain to extract water to calm over his poisoning throat.  There is a large rock between the lake and people still believe that it’s a Shiva shrine. There’s one that also believes people with a pure soul can see the reflection of Lord Shiva that’s lying under the water. As per Hindu scriptures Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana, and the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana refer to Samudra Manthan is directly related to the origin of Gosaikunda and has explained so well. This has carried more religious significances that are related to Hindu people and is still providing the positive persuasion towards them rather than another. There are altogether 108 Kundas (Lakes) around this area which mainly are Saraswati Kunda, Bhairab Kunda, Surya Kunda, Naga Kunda and Gosikunda (Lakes) which seems most popular among the Pilgrims. However, Gosaikunda Lake is one of the pilgrimage places for all Hindus and Buddhist, where once in every year all the devotees from around many places of the country and even the Indian Hindus come to take a holy dip in the lake. Almost half of the year it gets frozen. Seasons from October to June the water of this lake get frozen because of the winter and the high altitudes. However, Gosaikunda Lake is the mainspring of Trishuli River of after it gets melted and sip down in the mountain.

This Lake also is famous for Trekking destination. Many trekking agencies and tour operators organize 16 days Langtang Gosaikunda Lake Trekking, 7 days Gosaikunda Trekking, 5 days Gosaikunda Tour. So, don’t forget to explore the beauty of Gosaikunda Lake when you are in Nepal or think your next holiday destination with your friends, relatives, colleagues.