Krishna Dharajiya Chandrataal is one of the exquisite “celestial paradise” in Himalayan ranges of spiti valley. While most parts of Himachal Pradesh are pastoral, this barren beauty is something that you would had never seen before. Believed to be the abode of many divine souls, the Chandrataal or Moon Lake is mesmerizing beyond explanation..! It’s waters are SO holy and ambiance SO eternal, that you are sure to become a fan for life..!
Location
Chandrataal (Lake of Moon or Moon lake) is a fresh water lake, situated in remote area of Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh, India, at an altitude as much high as half of the Mt. Everest. The name of the lake emerged out of its crescent shape.
The lake is on the Samudra Tapu plateau, in the tribal area of “Himalayan Cold Desert” (Lahaul – Spiti valleys have arid, barren lands of Himalayan region). The lake is approx 2.5 km in width and is located at 6 km away from the famous Kunzum Pass.
Chandrataal is the origin point of River Chandra which unites with River Bhaga later into River Chandrabhaga – the headwater source of River Chenab.
The Lake’s Aura
Being at such a great height above sea level, it’s obvious that few may find difficulty in breathing at this altitude. Still, the divine vibrations of this magnificent lake holds the capacity to make you forget, for sometime, that you need to breath..! I guarantee that..!
The crescent shape and turquoise colored water of lake, amidst the Chandrabhaga Mountain Range feels surreal. The surrounding mammoth like mountains are dry, parched, baked, browned, tanned, thirsty and semi-snowed – with huge unreal shape that is difficult to gaze and perceive in single look. The disposition of this naturally made place is totally undigestable – It feels as if you are on some other planet…!
The lake is normally blue, but changes its color with that of the sky above. The cirque of the Himalayan range impart a beautiful 180-degree angle to the azure colored lake. The scorched mountains around stands with head held high – “guarding” the Divine Lake inside of them. (Though these peaks are thirsty themselves, they never try to steal water from the lake and have accepted their personal baldness with honor.)
The area around Chandra River is a cold desert and receives negligible rainfall round the year. Still you may find white snowed mountains and the carpet of satiating green colored lands alongside lake’s bank during specific seasonal visits.
Although this barren place is bereft of any human establishments, many trekkers visit this place for camping during 3 months of summer, despite of many geographical hardships.
The Enigma, Awe and Overwhelm – Is this Grandeur Even Real?
The lake itself is very mysterious…! So calm, tranquil, self-satisfied – that too in center of dusty chaos..! How is this lake surviving in this dry land..?
You have to walk/trek enough, over stones and sand before reaching the lake in cirque. (It is not visible from far distance). The moment you are nearby the lake and “Ohh”…. the splash of blue color dilutes your eyes with romanticism…!
All your exhaustion evaporates and the energetic vibes plunges in…! You see the Himalayan mountain ranges blazon their treasure, the way King wears a crown adorned with hundreds of jewels.
The surrounding peaks are SO minutely crafted and hand painted by Cosmos…! (Which great hands would have painted them…?) Amidst these dignified peaks, the lake appear as a Royal Queen..! Grand and Glittering in Sunshine..! You find yourself into some computer wallpaper.
The more you get closer to the lake, the more heavily your jaw drops. The view you see around smacks your existential ego hard. As the day progresses, the lake start to reflect vividly beautiful hues of different colors, with enchanting sparkles of rainbow. The enigmatic panorama of contrasting landscapes awes you hard..!
You start loving your existence..! You start loving your decision to visit the place..!
At night, the divine moon and the rebellious stars pours their silver shimmer on holy waters of lake, making them more sacred…! The surreal view spell bounds deeper into your heart..!
The reality is more beautiful now. You suddenly realize you are no one – What the hell we have been doing with our lives till date..? Just take birth and die..?
This wonder of Mother Nature sprinkles you with Divine Love that She holds always. The fluttering Buddhist prayer flags on banks of the lake fills you with peace and contentment. You are succumbed into feather like tranquility, radiating all over, in the air you breath, through the presence of the mysterious moon lake…! (Eyes Closed — Ohh Magical Moon Lake….! Do You Really Exist…?)
Mention of Chandrataal in Mahabharat
After the Kurukshetra war and sinking of the city of Dwarka into ocean, the Pandavas handed over the throne to Parikshit and decided to ascend Himalayas for renunciation.
There is a mention of a place named “वालुकाणृ़व” to be the cold desert in Himalayas (Spiti valley), where Pandavas are stated to have reached after ascend. On the way, except Yudhishthir, all Pandavas along with Draupadi died of bad health.
Chandrataal is said to be the exact location where Yudhishthir with his mortal body, was taken to heavenly abode by Lord Indra in his chariot. Thus, it’s a place that witnessed significant and sacred ancient event.
The Story of Mermaids of Moon Lake
They believe once upon a time, a water fairy used to live (or may be still continue to live – we never know..!) inside of Chandrataal. A shepherd from spiti valley saw her once and fell in love with the divine beauty of her. They both used to meet with a condition that shepherd would never disclose her existence to anybody.
After having spent many years of meeting beside the lake, the shepherd revealed her whereabouts to other people, out of amazement. It’s believed that was the last day the mermaid was seen in the Chandrataal Lake.
The shepherd repented on his mistake, cried beside the lake requesting the mermaid to return back to him, but it was all in vein…! The delicate fairy was gone already and never came back thereafter. The locals believe that the decedents of that shepherd still visit the moon lake in a hope to meet the mermaid.
Chandrataal and Astrology Connection
Some of the key to mysteries connected with our life purpose and soul mission are hidden at certain land-spots. You must have felt that after having visited certain places, you got more clarity on many of your unresolved queries of life.
There are definitely many connection of planets with specific places on mother earth and the moon lake is one such place. Chandrataal is the MUST visit place for people having Moon as their Atmakaraka. You may also benefit going to this lake if you have moon as your ascendant lord. If you have either of these in your birth chart, just visit this magical moon lake once. (You’ll thank me later…!)
Significance of Chandrataal for TwinFlames
There is a folklore around the origin of this mystical moon lake depicting true TwinFlame love.
Chandra was a daughter of the Moon God. She fell in love with Bagha, the son of Sun God. Both were deeply in love with one another. But being the children of two opposite forces, their parents denied of their matrimonial union. So, both of them decided to take charge of their situation and marry each other with the consent of universe. Even today, the wonderful “Chandrabhaga” River attests the cosmic wedding alliance of both of these TwinFlames.
It is believed that Chandrataal is named after Chandra and Surajtaal after Bhaga, him being the son of Sun God. The River which flows at Tandi is known as Chandrabhaga River and turns into Chenab on entering Jammu and Kashmir.
The lakes Chandrataal and Surajtaal separately propagated by the two lovebirds still exits in Himalayas as an embodiment of their spiritual romantic communion. To trek this patch of land is to witness the real beauty of Mother Nature.
Takeaway
If you are an adventure/travelling enthusiast, this crescent-shaped, high altitude glacial divine lake is waiting for you…! Though the on-way roads are treacherous, spiral and jumpy sometimes, the breathtaking views of snow-clad glaciers, grand dry mountains, glittering blue lake and azure sky surely shall leave you spellbound and compel you to stay back or visit again.
So…? This is the tale of Chandrataal – The Beautiful Moon Lake. This is one trip that can rank top among the best life memories of yours, to cherish for years to come.
_*_
Love & Light
Krishna
