Saketi Lake " A lake near Shivalik Fossil Park at Kala-Amb in district Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh."

 The Saketi lake was existing at one time on the left bank of Markanda river at a distance of about 5 Km from Kala Amb in district Sirmaur Himachal Pradesh but at present the lake has been filled with sand and debris from near by area. The lake could again be developed into a tourist center by removing the muck from the lake. Government must consider the development of this lake in public interest.  The Saketi lake was just near to the Shivalik Fossil Park at Kala-Amb at a distance of about 70 km from Chandigarh. 

At present we can enjoy the Asia's largest fossil Park also known as Saketi Fossil Park situated at this place not the lake. 

                  View of Dinosaur gad mammals

The shivalik fossil park is a National Geo-heritage Fossil Park in the state of Himachal Pradesh having collection of pre- historic vertebrate fossils and Skeltons received from the shivalik geological formation of rocks and clay at Saketi. The park has a museum being maintained by Geological Survey of India, Himachal Pradesh Department of Tourism and Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Department. 

  View of huge land  Tortoise at Shivalik fossil park

There are six life size fiber reinforced plastic models of extinct mammals displayed at the  park. The models include  Tortoise, Gharial, Four Horned Giraffe, Sabre- toothed Cat, large tusked Elephant and Hippopotamus. The park has a miniature form of Pre-historic biological record of fossils and rocks. 

                        Sabre -toothed Cat

The Shivalik fossil park has its importance in developing scientific interest and awareness in public, students and research scholars visiting from all over the world. 

     Large tusked elephant at Shivalik fossil park

The park is situated at village Saketi where the fossils were found, it located about 22 km from Nahan the district head quarters of Sirmaur district. From Ambala and Yamuna Nagar it about 48 Km. From Kala Amb to Fossil park the road is bit rough requiring maintenance.One can reach here by bus up to Kala Amb and then by taxi which is easily available here. one must visit. 

                                      By :- Er. R C Verma 

Maharana Pratap Sagar " A beautiful man-made lake on Pong Dam, declared as Ramsar conservation site in tehsil Dehra- Gopipur district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh."

 The construction of Pong Dam on river Beas just up stream of Talwara in district Kangra, Himachal , which was started in 1960and completed in 1974 has resulted  a 42 Km long and 2 Km wide beautiful lake spreading from Pong dam to Dehra , declared as Ramsar conservation site on 19-08-2002 . The lake has an area about 307.29 square Kilometres. The lake is also called Pong dam lake or Pong Lake. The lake is now named as Maharana Pratap Sagar on the name of great warrior Maharana Pratap. The lake was declared a sanctuary in 1983. The pong dam lake is a loving place for migratory waterbirds. 

              View of Lake, Sanctuary for wildlife

Pong dam wetlands are major habitat for migratory waterbirds. On the onset of winters, thousands of migratory waterbirds from central and North Asia start arriving at Pong dam lake for their annual sojourn. Annually more then one lac migratory waterbirds about 115  species are roosting and feeding in pong dam lake. 

            Beautiful view of water birds near lake

                Red necked grebe in Pong lake

Red necked grebe is found only in Bharatpur in Rajasthan and Pong dam in India. Due to increase in numbers of birds , the pong dam lake has gained international importance. 

                 Beautiful view of water birds

In addition to the migratory waterbirds the sanctuary is supporting the fauna including mammals such as barking deer , sambhar, wild bear, fox, reptiles and nilgai etc. Some beautiful views are given below. 

                            View of  Nilgai

                                     Sambhar

                                  Barking deer

                                    Barking deer

                                     Sambhar

Above 440 metres from mean sea level in five Km radius of lake area about 20,000 hect. has been notified as buffer Zone. Unauthorized cultivation , cattle grazing and other unscientific activities around the lake is causing problems of silting in the lake. 

Some salient feature are :- 

1. About 95 villages have been displaced and about 20,000 hect. of land was acquired for this project by Bhakra Beas Management Board. 

2. It is an earthen dam known as Beas Dam. The dam volume is 35,500,000 cubic metres. 

3. The catchment area of lake is 12561 square km. 

4. Capacity of Lake is 8570,000,000 cubic metres. 

5. Spilway capacity :- 12375 cubic metres per second. 

6. Surface area :- 240 square km in Normal. and 450 square km during floods. 

7. Surface elevation :- 436 metres from mean sea level. 

8. Height of Dam :- 133 metres. 

9. Max. Depth of water :-  97.84 metres. 

Near Dehra and Gaj Kund moderate number of water birds can be observed, the scenic beauty of the entire area is very much charming for nature lovers, tourists and Environmental scientists. One must enjoy the nature here. 

          Beautiful view of Maharana Pratap Sagar

   Pong dam lake view near Dehra district Kangra 

           Youth enjoying Lake view near Dehra

              Enjoy the evening near lake at Dehra

                                Video Clip of Lake

                          Beautiful view of Lake

                                         By :- Er. R C Verma

Karali Lake " A lake situated on Chhota Shali hillock near Shimla between the trees in district Shimla , Himachal Pradesh."

  The immense beauty of Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh lies in its lush green hills covered with pine trees, beautiful architecture in its historic buildings, the beautiful temples, snow covered hills, water falls, the pleasant climate , beautiful hill roads, few lakes and much more in simple ,cool & clear hearted people Himachal Pradesh.Though the lakes in Shimla district are very few but have much importance in the geography of Shimla and ultimately, Himachal Pradesh. 

     Beautiful View of Church near Ridge at Shimla

After Chandranahan in Rohru tehsil and Tanu Jubbal lake in Kumarsain tehsil , there is an another beautiful lake known as Karali lake situated in Chhota Shali hillock in Shimla district in Shimla rural,Himachal Pradesh.

         View of Karali lake in Chhota Shali Tibba

Shali Tibba is a highest peak in Shimla situated at an altitude of 2872 metres from mean sea level. The Shali Tibba provides a  360° panoramic view of Himachal Pradesh, it is surrounded by Narkanda, Fagu, Shimla Kufri and Mashobra hills. There is a Bhima Kali mata temple on top of the Tibba constructed in Himalayan traditional architecture in wood and stones. The trail was constructed to this place by Raja of Faridkot in 1936 , the same is still in good condition. The base camp to Shali Tibba for trekking starts from Mashobra and Khatnol. 

There is a very beautiful picnic spot just on the other side of Shali Tibba  , named  Chhota Shali Tibba where  Karali lake is situated, surrounded by the pine trees. The size of the lake is just equal to Annadel ground in Shimla. 

               Beautiful view of Lake in Mountains

The village Karali is near Mashobra, the distance from Shimla is about, 7 km. The lake is a very good picnic spot and the scenery of the place is worth seen. People visit this place for its scenic beauty. The lake between the green trees looks like an emerald in the sun. One must visit this place. 

             Lake View surrounded by green trees

Thus  the wonderland Himachal Pradesh is full of nature which nourishes the life in its lap and one can feel health and happiness here. 

           Enjoy the scenic beauty of Mandi Hills

                      Beautiful  View of Mandi hills

"Always associate with nature for better health and happiness . "

                                    By :- Er. R C Verma

 

Tannu Jubbal Lake " A beautiful lake near Narkanda on Narkanda -Thanadhar road, district Shimla, Himachal Pradesh."

 Narkanda is a beautiful tourist place situated at a distance of 64 Km from Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh on National highway No -22. The scenic beauty of Narkanda is a attraction to the tourists. 

           Beautiful View of Hatu Temple Narkanda

The Narkanda falls in tehsil Kumarsain district Shimla at an altitude of 2708 metres from mean sea level. The Hatu peak is about, 3400 metres from mean sea level. The peaks are covered with beautiful forests of conifers like oak and Deodar. 

           Beautiful view of Hatu peak Rest House

The Tani Jubbal lake is about 7 Km from Narkanda on Narkanda Thanadhar road situated in Shimla district. It is a  small beautiful lake surrounded by beautiful ever green trees. It is best picnic spot for nature lovers. 

                         View of Tani jubbal lake 

 Near the lake there is a temple dedicated to Nag Devta. The site is very beautiful and local people as well as tourists used to visit this place in large numbers. 

                           Another View of Lake

The Hatu peak is also famous for Hatu Mata temple, which is dedicated to Maharani Mandodari, the wife of Ravana. During winters the area is covered with snow, and tourists enjoy the nature. 

                        Hatu peak Narkanda

The beauty of nature has the power to nourish anyone who comes in its lap. Always love nature. 

                                     By :- Er. R C Verma. 

VASANT PANCHMI " The festival to welcome beautiful & loving Spring 's appearance on earth."

 "Vasant Panchami " the festival which comes on fifth day of new moon in the month of Magha . In other words this festival is celebrated on fifth day of shukla paksha in the month of Magha , which generally falls ending January to mid February. On this day the goddess saraswati has appeared on earth from the mouth of Lord Brahmadev to eliminate crime. So this day is celebrated as birthday of goddess saraswati. 

 With the entry of Vasant (Spring) on the earth, the circulation of new rashas starts flowing in the body of every living creatures on the earth. 

              "  Sharda " ' The Goddess of Knowledge '

On this festival the worship of Goddess Saraswati also called "Sharda " is done. Goddess Saraswati is the Goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning, music, art and speech. The Saraswati is one of the Trinity, the other two are Lakshmi and Parvati. On this day the goddess Saraswati appears on the earth with waves of new creation. 

                     Beautiful View of  spring season

The festival is celebrated forty days before spring, this is preparation of spring. Vasant indicates the end of winters. It is indicator of new life for plant kingdom, animal kingdom . The nature starts spreading its beautiful colours on the earth in the form of new leaves on the plants, varieties of flowers on them. Birds can be seen singing love songs. 

                           Butterflies love flowers

                              Dancing birds in spring

According to " Puranas "  the crime on the earth was increasing, the wrong actions of humans were intolerable to Rishi-munies, in such circumstances all Devtas together prayed to Lord Brahmadev to find out solution to this problem and bring the humans on the right path. On the prayers of all Devtas  Brahmdev appearrd in yellow clothes and created goddess saraswati from his mouth on fifth day of shukla paksha in the month of Magha  , the birthday of Saraswati and said that Saraswati will eleminate all darkness of evils and will establish virtues on the earth in the well-being of humanity. So this day  is celebrated as Vasant-Panchmi . 

  Fields of Mustard blooms in welcome of this day

Also Lord  Vishnu spread new energy in the universe on this day and Lord Brahmadev sent his Manas putra " kamdev " and Rati  ,the wife of Kamdev to spread the message of love and peace  on the earth  to establish values and virtues on the earth . 

Thus worship of Lord Vishnu, Kamdev and Rati is also done on Vasant Panchmi. 

         Flowers have the power to attract anybody

Thus this festival has great importance in our lives in the establishment of values and virtues in the service of mankind. we must carry on this gain ganga to our next generations and must eliminate the evils from the society. 

           Every  living creatures enjoy the spring

This year the Vasant Panchmi is coming on 16 th February, I greet all my friends, Brothers and sisters in India and abroad on this beautiful occasion and hope that all will enjoy the festival and spread the power  & blessings of Maa Saraswati in the service of mankind. 

                           Colours of Nature

                   Love Nature & Love mankind

                            Feel the spring here

               By :- Er. R C Verma

Chandranahan Lake " A small beautiful lake situated between Chanshal mountain's peaks in Tehsil Rohru, district Shimla Himachal Pradesh."

 The origin of Pabbar river, " Chandranahan lake " is a high altitude lake situated between the peaks of Chanshal mountains range at an altitude of 4267 metres from mean sea level in tehsil Rohru of district Shimla of Himachal Pradesh. 

                             Beautiful Lake View

The Chandranahan lake is situated on South-Western slopes of main Himalayas which falls to the North-West of Rohru district Shimla. The source of water to the lake is snow melt and glaciers of Chanshal mountains. 

                      View of Chanshal mountains

The best trekking time to Chandranahan lake is from mid April to mid October. The lake is also known as "Moon Lake . " Enroute to Chandranahan lake beautiful Meadows known as 'Thach'  comes in the way the names are Simbar thach, Dayara thach and Litham thach local people used to graze their sheeps, goats and animals in these Meadows. 

            Beautiful view of Chandranahan lake

The lake is about 20 Km from Rohru. The trekking troops enjoy their adventures to Chandranahan lake every year. The lake is dedicated to Goddess Mahamaya Kali.  On the way the Pine and Oak trees looks very beautiful. 

          "Always enjoy nature to feel stress free "

                                          By :- Er. R C Verma

Serolsar Lake " A beautiful lake dedicated to Buddhi Nagni Mata, near Jalori Pass, district Kullu, Himachal Pradesh."

 It is a beautiful lake situated just above the Jalori Pass about 6 Km from Jalori pass at an altitude of 3199 metres from mean sea level in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The distance of Jalori pass from Aani tehsil head quarters is about 31 Km and that of from Banjar is about 20 Km on National Highway Number 305 . 

                 Beautiful View of Serolsar Lake

The route  to Jalori pass bifurcates from Aut on Chandigarh -Mandi -Manali National highway  and traverses on NH,, 305 from Aut to Sainj  on Ambala Kaurik  National highway. No. 22 also called Hindustsn Tiebet road. It is at a distance of, 45 Km from Aut and 52 km from Sainj. 

The lake is dedicated to Bhddhi Nagni Mata, it is believed that Buddhi  Nagni Mata lives in this lake. 

                   Beautiful View of Serolsar lake

 The water of the lake is very clear and it is seen that the lake always remains free of any floating leaves in it and birds around the lake ensure the immediate removal of such leaves from the lake. There is a Goddess temple near the lake. It is believed that initially Pandvas had built this temple during their exile. People used to visit this lake on foot from Jalori Pass. The trek is having beautiful forests . Bath is not allowed in this lake. 

   

                          Temple Near The Lake

The best trekking time to visit this lake is from March to July. During winters the lake experiences heavy snow. The site is very charming and peaceful. 

                     Beautiful View of Mountains

       The nature is very beautiful one must associate to feel stress free.                      

                                            By :-  Er. R C Verma

Bhrigu Lake " A lake near Rohtang Pass in district Kullu Himachal Pradesh."

 District Kullu of Himachal Pradesh is world famous for is beautiful tourists destinations like Manali, Mani -Karn and scenic beauty of Rohtang -Pass. Tourists from all over India and abroad used to enjoy the nature of this wonderland. Amongst the beautiful tourists spots of Kullu, Bhrigu lake is also an amazing attraction. 

                The Best trekking to Bhrigu  Lake

It is believed that Maharishi Bhrigu had done austerity in this area, so the lake named after the name of Maharishi Bhrigu as "Bhrigu lake. " It is a high altitude lake situated at an altitude of 4235 metres from mean sea level. 

           Beautiful View of Bhrigu lake( Kullu) 

The easy trekking to Bhrigu lake starts from Maharishi Vashisht temple near Manali. The Vashisht is known for hot water springs.The lake is in the east of Rahang psss and is about 6 Km from Gulaba village. 

                        The  View of Frozen Lake

The lake remains frozen in complete winters, the source is snow melt and glaciers. The depth of the lake is about three metres. 

                View of Trekking to Bhrigu Lake

The tourists from various parts of the country and abroad enjoy the trekking to Bhrigu Lake every year. 

This is in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas. 

                                    

                                      By :- Er. R C Verma