Exploring Khecheopalri Lake

 KHECHEOPALRI  LAKE 

 It is  Located  at 34 kilometres (21 mi) to the northwest of Pelling town, the lake is sacred for both Buddhists and Hindus, and is believed to be a wish fulfilling lake. The local name for the lake is Sho Dzo Sho, which means "Oh Lady, Sit Here".

The Khecheopalri is said to represent one of the four plexus of the human body namely, the thorax; the other three  plexes  are said to be represented by Yuksom  (the third eye), Tashiding (head) and Pemayangtse (the  heart). 

The formation of the lake is estimated to be 3500 years old. 

The lake is situated amidst pristine forest at an altitude of 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) near Tsozo village. The lake drains a catchment area of the Ramam watershed (Ramam mountain gives its name to the valley) and has a drainage area of 12 square kilometres (4.6 sq mi) (including area of bog of 70,100 square metres (755,000 sq ft). The periphery of  Lake has the shape of a foot.

The lake is an integral part of the much revered valley of "Demazong" meaning valley of rice. This landscape is also known as a land of hidden treasures blessed by Guru padmasambhava. 

According to the legends your wishes that you pray here in front of the lake will be fulfilled. Lot of people meditate and pray around the lake and ask for their wishes.The lake is know as a wishing lake when we see from the elevated point the shape of the lake is elongated that would roughly represent the shape of a huge giant feet. Hindu believe it  to be the foot  print of Lord Shiva were as Buddhists believe that the foot print is that of Goddess Tara.

An interesting feature of the lake is that leaves are not allowed to float on the lake, which is ensured by the birds which industriously pick them up as soon as they drop into the lake surface.

The Khecheopalri Lake and the khangchendzonga National park are conserved from the biodiversity perspective with ecotourism and pilgrimage as essential offshoots. As a result, their recreational and sacredness values are enhanced.

There is a lake Jetty that leads to the front of the lake and from where prayers and incense are offered. Prayer wheels are fixed along the jetty with prayer flags and Tibetan inscriptions, adding to the piety of the place.

Best time to visit 

It is best to visit in the month of February to March .This is the period when the enthralling natural beauty of the lake and its surrounding is enhanced and is at its peak.

The climate of the lake region is monsoonal.

Attractions

• Camping and trekking. There is a walking trail from Pelling to Khecheopalri which takes around 5 hours to reach the destination. Also, this lake is just 24 Km from Pemayangtse Monastery which is a must-visit place.

Lastly there are lots of places to visit around Khecheopalri Lake :

1 . Kanchanjunga waterfalls

2. Tashi choling monastery and many more places