“Ek baar marne se pehle Chandratal dekhna chahta hoon”
(I wish to see the Chandratal once before I die)
This is what Ranveer Singh’s character expresses in a vital moment in the now iconic Hindi movie, Lootera. While the film stayed with most of us for its compelling plot and performances, what also stayed with many is the urge to visit Chandratal at least once in their lives. Chandratal Lake in Himachal Pradesh is a site of unparalleled beauty, where the gentle azure water of the lake blends in with natural landscape, mild sunlight gently kissing the still water. If you too are keen on visiting this beautiful lake, here’s what you need to know about it.
Chandratal Lake In Himachal Pradesh
Brief Description Of Chandratal
Ranveer Singh’s character in the film Lootera expresses his urge, as if saying hopelessly, of seeing Chandratal at least once in life. For his character, it is a highly unlikely wish that will come true, but we won’t further spoil the movie for you! Watch it and you’ll know.
Even though the lake didn’t explicitly feature in the movie, the mention of the same piqued the interest of many who watched the film. Since the movie’s release, a considerable number of travelers have witnessed the ethereal beauty of the Chandratal Lake.
Chandratal, or ‘Moon Lake’, is nestled in the mountains of the Spiti Valley. Located on the Samudra Tal Plateau, it is a 2.5 km-wide freshwater lake. The site of the turquoise blue waters changes colors as the day progresses – the sunlight reflects through the water, giving the illusion of a color-changing lake!
The crescent-shaped lake stands at a whopping height of 14,000 feet above sea level and is about 9 km from the Kumzum Pass in Spiti Valley.
Fascinating Legends Associated With Chandratal
Chandratal Lake in Himachal Pradesh comes with rather fascinating legends rooted in Hindu mythology. One such legend is that of two lovebirds, Chandra, the Moon God’s daughter and Bhaga, the Sun God’s son.
Both were madly in love but when their parents disapproved of their union, they decided to meet at the Baralacha La Pass to elope. Unfortunately, they couldn’t meet there and instead met near the Chandrabhaga River. Eventually, their heavenly alliance took place and the two formed the Chandra Tal and Suraj Tal as memoirs of their eternal love.
Another legend takes us to the final chapters of the Mahabharata. As the Pandava brothers along with Draupadi set out on their final journey towards heaven, each one of them gradually departed and fell into the gates of hell but only Yudhistir survived till the very end as he reached Chandratal. It is here that Lord Indra appeared and took his soul to heaven.
Best Time To Visit Chandratal Lake In Himachal Pradesh
June to October is considered to be the best time to visit Chandratal. This is when the weather is pleasant and the intense snow has receded. There is hardly any monsoon in this region during these months as it sits in a rainshadow region. The weather is mostly sunny in the day and cool in the night, skies are clear, and roads and ways leading to the lake are wide open.
On the contrary, the winter months from November to February or even March/April are the least favorable to visit Chandratal. The region receives ample snowfall and daytime temperatures are usually in single digits! Moreover, most roads are closed due to extreme snowfall, making it not so ideal for a Chandratal trek.
How To Reach Chandratal
While the Chandratal trek on foot is a popular way of traversing this part of Himachal Pradesh, many trekkers also use shared jeeps, cars, and vans to reach Chandratal. Travelers using motor vehicle transport begin their journey from Manali, situated about 110 km away.
From Manali
You can take a shared cab or a bus to go from Manali to Spiti Valley on the Manali-Kaza Road and get down at Batal. From here, you can either hitchhike or walk your way to Chandratal, which is about 13 km away. While walking isn’t really recommended considering the rough terrain, another alternative is to book a private cab, especially if you’re traveling there with a few other hikers/friends. All of you can divide the total cost of that private cab among yourself, making it quite convenient.
From Kaza
Another way of reaching this ethereal lake is to begin your journey from Kaza, situated about 183 km away from Manali. You can take a bus or a shared cab going along the Manali-Kaza Road and get down at Batal. From here, as mentioned above, you can either hitchhike or walk towards the lake.
Things To Keep In Mind When Visiting Chandratal Lake In Himachal Pradesh
- If you’re planning to stay in the limited campsites near the lake, we recommend booking at least weeks or months in advance, preferably via a reputed or local tourist agent or platform.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes during your journey and avoid flip flops, sandals, and other footwear for walking on the terrain.
- Entry to the lake is free and no permit is required, but we recommend keeping your verification document like an Aadhar Card or passport with you, just in case.
- Carry all electronic devices with a full charge, and do not forget to bring fully charged power banks too!
- Electricity is limited here for just a few hours at night, so carry flashlights/headlights if venturing out in the dark.
- Note that there is hardly any phone signal in this region.
- Do not litter or cause harm to the local environment in any way.
Summing Up
While we won’t spoil it for you whether Ranveer Singh’s character managed to make it to Chandratal, one thing is for sure – you have a handy little guide to visiting this beautiful lake. Pristine blue waters, tall mountains, and a calming atmosphere that makes you slow down – Chandratal is one of the most beautiful destinations to visit in the Himalayas! When are you visiting it?
