The Incomparable Example Of Engineering "The Man-Made Lake -Balancing Reservoir at Sundernagar Himachal Pradesh.

 The beautiful Words of Albert Einstein :-

 

Though the nature has created natural resources  like  mountains, plains,rivers , valleys ,natural ponds and lakes as per Geography of this planet yet as per requirements and proposals for development of the country, the Governments of the every country creates the assets to utilize the natural resources. Today I shall introduce my friends with an incomparable Engineer's creation  which is a part of Beas -Satjuj Link Project, the beautiful lake at Sundernagar known as balancing reservoir. {Himachal Pradesh }

Beautiful View of Balancing Reservoir at Bhojpur (Sundernagar) 

The Bhakra dam described  by the first Prime Minister of India, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru one of the temples of modern India, had been set up on the Satluj river at Bhakra till 1960. Also there was already a proposal to link the waters of river Beas with the Satluj and this was known as the Beas -Satluj Link Project {BSL Project }

Under this Project a dam was constructed across the river Beas at Pandoh. 

A beautiful view of Baggi -Sundernagar Hydel Channel. 

The waters of the Beas were  diverted through a tunnel known as the " Pandoh -Baggi tunnel " and taken from Baggi to Sundernagar by an open channel known as Baggi Sundernagar Hydel Channel. 

At Sundernagar a balancing reservoir was constructed and there after the water has been taken through a tunnel leading from Sundernagar to Dehar, where the Power House Plant was constructed on the right bank of river Satluj. 

                                View of  Lake 

The construction of this Project was under taken by Government of India on behalf of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and the state of Rajasthan. 

After completion of this project the same was transferred to Bhakra Management Board  and the same was renamed as Bhakra Beas Management Board in the short form  is called BBMB. Now the BBMB is maintaining this project. 

         Another view of Hydel Channel & Lake

The tourists used to enjoy the lake view and blowing cool breeze in summer. The local people also enjoy morning and evening walk on the banks of lake. Some beautiful pictures of lake and surrounding areas :-

The project is contributing much towards power generation at Power House Dehar & Bhakra . Irrigation facilities are being made available in Himachal, Punjab and through Indira Canal in Rajasthan using water of Satluj and diverted water from river Beas from Pandoh dam. I feel  very proud of, had worked in BSL Project at Pandoh in Reinforcement Division in reinforcement workshop and spillway. I shalute to all Engineers and workers who has contributed their services for the construction of this temple of modern India. 



Er. R C Verma

Lahaul- "The beautiful wonderland of Himachal Pradesh " OM Mani Padme Hum "

 When we enter the wonderland of beautiful Lahaul valley , the scared recital  "OM Mani Padme Hum " vibrate in our ears. It is a scared recital in this valley. The continued repetitions  of this recital is believed the panacea for all real Or imaginary problems. 

The deeper  meaning of this mantra  is  :- "I invoke the path of truth and experience of all Universality. " "So that the Jewline Luminosity of my immortal mind be unfolded, within the depths of lotus centered consciousness, and, I will be wafted, with the ecstasy of breaking through all bonds and horizons. "

            The Beautiful view of Lahul Valley

The Lauhal is enclosed within the high ranges of the Greater Himalayas and  the Pir Panjal, and accessed either through the  Kunzam La or the Rohtang La and consisting of the Chandra-Bhaga river Watershed, is the ever fascinating land of  Lahaul Valley. Now the Atal Tunnel has facilitated the communication throughout the year. Other than the high peaks, fast flowing streams and  tranquil mountainous lakes the landscape of this area is dominated  by glaciers. 

The nature lovers, poets and other tourists from different parts of the country as well as abroad enjoy the natural beauty of this beautiful valley in winter and summer , which adds to economy of the area. 

The snow covered mountains in winter attract the tourists, and cool and calm climate in summer is also attract  the tourists to the beauty of this wonderland. 

Tourists enjoying the beauty of Lahaul Valley

Lahaul-Spiti  is a district of Himachal Pradesh from 1960 and one of the frontier district of India. The coordinates of this district are :-

31°44' 57" and 32° 59' 57" N Latitude and betwt 76 ° 46' 29" and 78 ° 41' 34" E Longitude. 

It is separated from Jammu &Kashmir in North, Tibet in the East and Kullu, Kinnaur in South-East and Chamba in South-West and West. Previously  the sole access to Lahaul -Spiti lies over the 3978 metres high Rohtang Pass but now Atal tunnel has made it easier. 

Tourists activity in Lahaul valley  always is joyful. 

The people of this area very gentle and follow the tenets of Buddhism. The famous Monasteries of Lahaul are Guru Ghantal, Tayul, Kardang, Gemur and Shashur which attract many tourists, researchers and pilgrims

             The beautiful view at Tandi

The major rivers are  Chandra, Bhaga, Spiti and Pin.  There twenty one big and small glaciers in Lahaul -Spiti district. There are  high passes through which communication on surface  with neighbouring countries is possible. These are:-

Rohtang Pass :- It is 13500 feet from mean sea level and connects Lahaul with Kullu. Rohtang Tunnel which is called Atal tunnel on the name of Atal Bihari Bajpeyee former Hon'ble Prime Minister of India has made the communication easier. 

Banghal Pass :- It lies between Lahaul and Bara Bangal, it is rarely used. 

Shing -dkon Pass :- It is 17000 feet from mean sea level and is between Lahaul and Zanskar , it is regularly used by people of Zanskar and Lahaul. 

Baralacha Pass :-  This pass with cross roads is 16500 feet from mean sea level. It lies between Lahaul and Ladakh. 

Kungti Pass :- This pass is 16000 feet from mean sea level and lies between Lahaul and Bharmaur district Chamba. It is mostly used by Gaddi shepherds. 

Kunzam Pass :- It a pass with all roads converging at 16000 feet from mean sea level. It lies between Lahaul and Spiti. 

Lahaul has an area about two thousands square miles and is situated between North latitude 30 ° 8' and 32° 59' and East Longitude 76 ° 30' and 77 ° 50 '. 

 Tourists enjoying in snow covered Lahaul valley

               " OM Mani Padme Hum "

One must visit this beautiful and adventure full valley. 

                                  By :- Er. R C Verma. 

Chhota Rewalsar [Mini- Rewalsar ] The beautiful Sarovar, centre of attraction for Pilgrims.

 The district Bilaspur of Himachal Pradesh is having very beautiful Geography such as beautiful hills of Bahadurpur, kathpol mountain, Bandla Dhar, Naina Devi hill range, Tieun, Bhainu Dhar andKot Dhar etc. but has no natural lake. It has some well-known man-made sarovar or we can say small man- made lakes  which have historic  and social values except Govind Sagar which a beautiful lake & has covered very large area lake has fishing activities. 

   

 

 View of Mini Rewalsar Dehra Hatwar Bilaspur

The chhota Rewalsar is situated at village lower Dehra, near Kot -Hatwar on Jahu Hatwar Ladraur road at about 1.5km from Jahu and 8.5 Km from Ladraur. 

It is known as Chhota Rewalsar because the famous Rewalsar lake falls in district Mandi at a distance of 25 km from Mandi and 5 Km from Kalkhar on Mandi Rewalsar Bhambla Una road. 

The view of Mandi Hills from Chhota Rewalsar

The history of this mini Rewalsar  as per local people's saying is that at an ancient times The Dev of Rewalsar lake ,came in the dream of a resident of  Dehra village and said he wants a place in this village and you establish  the  the Rewalsar in this village and disappeared. Then the devotee of Rewalsar with the help of villagers he established this lake in this village at spot desired by Rewalsar Dev. and named it Chhota Rewalsar. 

This sarover  has fishes like Rewalsar lake and people of near by villages from Mandi, Bilaspur and Hamirpur used to feed the fishes for overcoming the  bad effects  stars and planets as per Hindu belief. 

The village Dehra Hatwar is just near the meeting  point of boundaries of three districts, Mandi, Hamirpur and Bilaspur  at Jahu the  boundaries are marked by Seer and Sanehl khad. 

A fair is held at this place every year on Baishakhi similar to as at Rewalsar district Mandi. The people from near by villages used to participate in the fair and pay their prayers to God Rewalsar. 

The circular measure of the lake is about 250 metre. There are small temples of Vir Hanuman, Lord Shiva and Shaki Durga and beautiful pipal trees .People used to worship these powers. 

To make it a beautiful place it needs intervention of Government administration to provide budget and maintain it.  It a beautiful place situated between the hills of lower Himalayas near the boundaries of Mandi, Hamirpur and Bilaspur. 

The place is peaceful & pleasant one must visit. 

                                Er. R C Verma

Khajjiar Lake " Khajjiar , The Mini Switzerland " The nature 's beautiful landscape architecture.

 The beautiful hill station Khajjiar is located in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, the one beautiful hill state of India. It is about 24 Km from Dalhousie on the way to Chamba. 

It is situated at an altitude of 1951 metres from mean sea level, it was christened "The Mini Switzerland " by Swiss Envoy Willy P. Blazer on, 7 th July 1992.In the presence of Indian Panel of officers Mr. P. Blazer put up an yellow Swiss hiking footpath sign board which formally & officially declared Khajjiar as "Mini Switzerland "

The actual distance from the Swiss capital Berne to Khajjiar,  6194 Km is written on the sign board. Mr. P Blazer had taken a stone from Khajjiar to Switzerland  which was made part of stone sculpture  installed opposite the Parliament mansion in capital Berne. Thus Khajjiar became the 160 th tourist spot in the world map to be christened "Mini Switzerland ".

Khajjiar  the beautiful hill station in North of Himachal is having a 12th  century Khajji Nag temple which is dedicated to a serpent God. 

The beautiful khajjiar lake is located in the centre of vast , heart touching grassy meadow, measuring 1.5 km in length and 1km in width, surrounded by long, tall  Cedar and Deodar  trees. The coordinates of  Khajjiar   are  :-

32.0462344° N,  76.0580921° E. 

With its alluring charm, soothing quietness, cool, clean air  with abundant natural beauty Khajjiar   is having centre of attraction for the tourists. 

To make  Khajjiar more attractive, the lake has to be cleared of weeds and silt, horse riding circular track needs a drain to take off the rain water out of the bowl. 

Numbers of tourists from different parts of the country and abroad visit Khajjiar every year. 

Some beautiful picture of Khajjiar :-

       Baby enjoying snow covered mountains. 

      Another beautiful picture of recent snow. 

         Beautiful picture Taken during visit area

Near by the high altitude Khajjiar lake is surrounded by beautiful Deodar and cedar forests and west, kalatop wildlife Sanctuary, which home to animals.    

                Another Picture  of Mountains. 

The lake is also visited by local people  to offer prayers at Kali temple located on the bank of lake. 

Looking the beauty and quietness of this real heaven on earth which is a " Mini Switzerland of India "  the sensuousness and beauty of Keat's poetry and Wordsworth's belief in quietness and strength of nature come  alive and are perceptibly felt at Khajjiar. One must visit Khajjiar. 

                   I love  nature . 

                    Er. R C Verma

Manimahesh Lake " The beautiful Landscape of nature's architecture "

 Himachal pradesh a beautiful hill state of India, is situated in the lap of Himalayas in Western Himalayas. The name Himachal is taken from the Himalayas. Himachal literally means " Land of snowy mountains ." It is a small world itself. The entrance to Himachal is through plains of Punjab, or through Shivalik hills or through hills of Shimla  through beautiful valleys covered with forests having varieties of flora. 

Himachal is beautifully decorated by the God with nature, filling wonderful colours in its Geography, it's high mountains covered with snow, low and medium range mountains covered with forests, it's beautiful rivers flowing with clean water, the beautiful lakes, large Meadows, beautiful dancing birds, it's wildlife, cool and clean air always attracts the nature lovers, those who love adventure sports like Rafting, mountaineering  etc. 

These mountains lakes  have big role in contributing towards climate and economy of the country. 

Today we are to share about a beautiful High altitude lake "Manimahesh Lake " in Chamba district of this beautiful state Himachal pradesh. 

          Beautiful view of Manimahesh Lake

The lake is situated in the feet of Mount Kailash at an altitude of 3950 metres from mean sea level. It is 35 Km from Bharmaur subdivision. The altitude of Kailash is, 5653 metres from mean sea level in Pir Panjal range. 

The coordinates of Manimahesh is, 32.3950° N,  76.6372° E

The Kailash peak has a beautiful view from the lake. 

The Manimahesh lake is world famous tourists spot. A fair is held every year at this lake during the month of August and September on Radha Astmi. People from different parts of the country and abroad used to visit this lake during this holy pilgrimage. 

Lord Shiva's devotee in large numbers participate in this Yatra. The views this pilgrimage are :-

The journey to this lake is on foot from Hadsar, it is14 Km track uphill up to the lake. The devotee of Lord Shiva used to provide food for tourists on the way and on the lake free of cost. It is called Bhole Bhandari ka Lunger. 

There is another route which starts from Holi, but it is tougher than the route from Hadsar. 

Some beautiful picture  taken during visit to Manimahesh :-

This beautiful lake is supposed to be blessed by Mata Parvati and protected by Lord Shiva. Those who goes on this adventurous yatra are supposed to be blessed by Mata Parvati and Lord Shiva. This yatra is declared as a state  level yatra by the Himachal Government. 

The lake and it's surroundings present a beautiful and impressive scenery.

 In the surrounding of the lake there is marble image of Lord Shiva which is worshipped by the pilgrims and this image is known as  "Chaumukha "

The still, clear and clean water of the lake reflect  snow capped peaks that over look the valley. 

One must go to Manimahesh yatra. 

The beautiful view taken during Manimahesh Yatra. 

                                                    By Er. R C Verma

Prashar Lake"The beautiful Landscape of nature's architecture "

" Among mountains I am the Himalayas "  Lord Shri Krishna has said in holy Srimad Bhagvad Gita, so Himalayas are the greatest of all mountains. The wonderland Himachal Pradesh is situated in the lap of mid Himalayas has very beautiful hills, snow covered mountains, beautiful lakes with cool clear water which mirror the immense this paradise on earth. 

Today I am going to introduce, all my viewers with a very beautiful lake situated in hills of Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. The lake is named on the name of Maharishi Prashar, it is believed that Maharishi Prashar has originated this lake by striking the gurj on earth. The name of this beautiful lake is "Prashar lake "

This beautiful lake  is situated on a cup shape valley in mountains of mid Himalayas in district Mandi at a distance of 51 Km from Mandi bus stand at an altitude of 2730 metres from mean sea level. It is at a distance of 65 km from Kullu and 103 km from Manali. The coordinates of Prashar lake are 31.7544° N, 77.1011° E. The perimeter of lake is about 300 metres. This lake is having a wonderful island always floating in the lake. The island is seen moving from one location to another in the lake. People used to say "Tehla" to this island means moving land. It is also one of the wonders of nature and attractions to the tourists. 

An ancient temple dedicated to Maharishi Prashar is also existing near the lake. 

The temple is having three stories constructed in Pagoda style. Every year a fair is held in the month of June at this place. People used to visit fair from all neighbouring villages, local products are displayed for sale. 

People also visit this holy temple. The ancient temple was built by king Bansen , the king of Mandi in the 13th century. 

 The one inner view of temple is like this. 

The Prashar lake is fed by small mountain streams. High mountains of mid Himalayas surround this beautiful lake. A rest house of Public Works Department of Himachal Pradesh is a good facility to the visitors during their journey to this place. The valley is having beautiful greenery but in winter it changes to golden yellow colour which also looks very beautiful. Some beautiful pictures from this spot look very much attractive to the heart of any one. 

Someone has described the beautiful picture of Himachal Pradesh due its nature's wonderful heart touching landscape and God's creations in his poetic words :-

"Eternal snows, lush green forests, singing streams, dancing birds, lovely lakes, verdant vales, emerald meadows, smiling glaciers and gay girls :- this is the picture of Himachal Pradesh which sprawls in the North Western lap of the Himalayas. "

Those who love nature must visit this beautiful place, simultaneously during their visit to Kullu -Manali. 

The Prashar lake is well connected with road facility but have few minutes walk up to the lake from bus stop, first uphill and then down hill. 

The road to Prashar lake bifurcates from Mandi Jogindernagar Pathankot highway near Bijani and passes through small villages  Katindi, Kamand and Kataula and reach Prashar lake. 

Kamand is  about 40 Km from Mandi where IIT Mandi is established and students from various parts of the country are studying. The Prashar lake is also connected to Bajaura at Kullu having about 56 kms distance. 

The beautiful view of Mountains is attractive. 

The Visitors feel happiness , through this scenic beauty. 

                                By :-       Er. R C Verma.