Dehnasar Lake

Dehnasar Lake lies at 4,280 metres in the Dhauladhar range, in the Barot Valley area of Kangra district, though it is easier to reach from the Mandi and Kullu sides. Fed by snowmelt, it sits beside rocky cliffs below a ridge that rises to 4,600 metres, and stays frozen under deep snow in winter. Alpine herbs, mosses and lichens grow around it, the Brahma Kamal is sometimes seen, and Himalayan tahr, lammergeiers, griffon vultures and choughs may be spotted.

The lake is sacred to Shiva, especially for the Gaddi community. Folklore says Shiva killed a witch (dehna) who preyed on people here, giving the lake (sar) its name, and a dip during Bhadrapada is believed to wash away sins; crowds gather for the holy bath on the 20th of that month. The usual route is a moderately hard trek of about 14 km each way from Polling near Barot, best in June or September with a night's camp midway. Other trails start in the Lug Valley and near Tikken.