Surinsar Lake

Surinsar is a freshwater lake roughly 24 km from Jammu city, set among low green hills with pine trees on the slopes above it. It is smaller than Mansar Lake, and a road joins the two, so many visitors walk or trek across from one to the other. Herons, kingfishers and migratory birds are seen in the woods and along the shore, and an adventure park close by has a giant swing, a trampoline and a climbing wall.

Hindu tradition gives both lakes a sacred role. Babar Vahan, the son Arjun had with Ulupi, is said to have killed his father in battle without knowing who he was, and then needed a gem held by the serpent king Sheshnag to revive him. According to the story, he dug a tunnel that began at Surinsar, then called Surangsar, and came out at Mansar, then known as Manisar.