Sheshnag Lake

Sheshnag Lake (Sanskrit: शेषनाग झील) is an alpine high altitude oligotrophic lake[1] situated at the track leading to Amarnath cave 23 kilometers from Pahalgam in Anantnag district of Kashmir valley in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir at an elevation of 3590 meters. It has a maximum length of 1.1 kilometers and maximum width of 0.7 kilometers.

Sheshnag Lake
Sheshnag Lake
LocationAnantnag, Kashmir valley, India
Coordinates34.093697°N 75.496686°E / 34.093697; 75.496686
TypeOligotrophic lake
Primary inflowsMelting of snow
Primary outflowsA tributary of Lidder River
Max. length1.1 kilometres (0.68 mi)
Max. width0.7 kilometres (0.43 mi)
Surface elevation3,590 metres (11,780 ft)
FrozenDecember to March

Etymology, geography

In ancient times, cloud bursts at the site caused a deep groove lined by mountains. Those mountains are covered with snow and ice sheets which melt slowly so that water flows into the deep groove and forms a lake. It was named Sheshnag because in Kashmiri shesh means mirror and nag means lake, that is, the mirror lake, as its water is crystal clear and it acts as a mirror. Sheshnag Lake is home to many types of fish[2] among which is the brown trout.[3] It freezes during winter, and is inaccessible during this season due to heavy snowfall. It is surrounded by green lush meadows and mountains covered by snow.[4] Sheshnag Lake is one of the famous tourist destinations in Kashmir Valley. It is mostly fed by melting of snow and streams coming down from mountaintops. It drains out through a stream that joins Lidder River at Pahalgam.

Access

Sheshnag Lake is situated 120 kilometers east from Srinagar and 23 km from Pahalgam. It can be accessed[5] 113  km by road up to Chandanwari from which ponies can be hired to cover a trek of 7  km upslope to reach the Sheshnag Lake. Amarnath cave is situated 20 kilometers north of this lake. The best time to visit the lake is from June to September.

References
  1. Raina, HS; KK Vass (May–June 2006). "Some biological features of a freshwater fairy shrimp, Branchinecta schantzi, Mackin, 1952 in the Northwestern Himalayas, India" (PDF). J. Indian Inst. Sci. 86: 287–291. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  2. "Fishes and Fisheries in high altitude lakes, Vishansar, Gadsar, Gangabal, Krishansar". Fao.org. Retrieved 1999. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. Petr, ed. by T. (1999). Fish and fisheries at higher altitudes : Asia. Rome: FAO. p. 72. ISBN 92-5-104309-4.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  4. "Pahalgam Sheshnag". cambaytours.com. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  5. "Travel to Sheshnag lake". travelomy.com. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
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