Krishansar Lake
View of Krishansar lake
Location of Krishansar lake within Jammu and Kashmir
Location of Krishansar lake within Jammu and Kashmir
Krishansar Lake
LocationGanderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Coordinates34°23′49″N 75°06′02″E / 34.397072°N 75.100447°E / 34.397072; 75.100447
Typeoligotrophic lake
Primary inflowsMelting of snow
Primary outflowsVishansar Lake, Kishanganga River
Max. length0.95 kilometres (0.59 mi)
Max. width0.6 kilometres (0.37 mi)
Surface elevation3,710 metres (12,170 ft)
FrozenDecember to April

The Krishansar Lake is an alpine high elevation oligotrophic lake[1] situated near Sonamarg,[2] in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir in India at an elevation of 3,710 metres (12,170 ft). It is located less than one kilometer northwest of Vishansar Lake, and has a maximum length of 0.95 km and maximum width of 0.6 km.

Etymology, geography

Krishansar in Sanskrit and Kashmiri means the lake of Krishna. It is home to many types of fishes[3] among of which is the brown trout.[4] It freezes during winter, and is inaccessible during this season due to heavy snowfall. It is surrounded by green lush meadows and attracts local shepherds who graze their flocks of sheep and goat during summer. The Krishansar Lake is adjacent to Vishansar Lake, at its back are the mountains standing covered with snow in which lies the Gadsar Pass, a mountain pass which leads to the Gadsar Lake. The lake is a famous trekking site just north of the Kashmir Valley. It is mostly fed by melting of snow and glaciers. It drains out through a small stream which falls into the Vishansar Lake and gives rise to Kishanganga River.[5]

Access

The Krishansar Lake is situated 115 km. northeast from Srinagar and 35 km from Shitkadi Sonamarg. It can be accessed from Srinagar or Srinagar Airport[6] 80 km by road NH 1D up to village Shitkadi from which ponies can be hired to cover an alpine trek of 35 km to reach the Krishansar Lake, which takes a complete day of trekking passing Nichnai Pass of 4100 meters above sea level. The Gadsar Lake is some 9 kilometers in the north westwards. The best time to visit the lake is from the month of June to September.[7]

Gallery

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Krishansar Lake.
  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 20 April 2012.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "go2kashmir, Sonmarg, sonmarg, Accommodation in Sonmarg, Hotel in Sonamarg, Sonmarg attractions,Sonmarg Travel". Go2kashmir.com. Retrieved 20 April 2012.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Fishes and Fisheries in high altitude lakes, Vishansar, Gadsar, Gangabal, Krishansar". Fao.org. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  4. ^ Petr, T., ed. (1999). Fish and fisheries at higher altitudes : Asia. Rome: FAO. p. 72. ISBN 92-5-104309-4.
  5. ^ Majid Hussain (1998). Geography of Jammu and Kashmir. Rajesh Publications, 1998. p. 13–. ISBN 9788185891163. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  6. ^ "Kashmir unseen". ckashmir.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  7. ^ "Kashmir Great Lakes Trek". Kashmir Treks. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
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