Kamrunag Lake is a high-altitude lake located in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The lake is completely surrounded by lush green forests, snow-capped mountains, and meadows and is situated at an altitude of 3,334 meters. It is situated between the valleys of Balh and Dhauladhar ranges and is known for its stunning natural beauty and serene environment. To reach the lake one has to walk from Rohanda to Kamrunag which takes around 3-4 hours. Kamrunag Lake is considered a sacred place by the local people, and the lake is home to Kamrunag, a Hindu deity whom they worship.
Kamrunag Lake Mandi
The lake and the surrounding area will be recognized as a biodiversity heritage site by the Himachal government. At the lake, visitors can take a dip in the cold water or simply sit by the lake and there is also a small temple dedicated to Kamrunag by the lake. Trekking up to Kamrunag Lake is a popular activity among tourists. The trek starts from a village called Rohanda, which is about 60 km from Mandi town. The track is about 8 km long and takes about 4-5 hours. The best time to visit Kamrunag Lake is between the months of May and September when the weather is pleasant and ideal for outdoor activities. There are many other beautiful places in Mandi that you can visit such as Parashar Lake, Bhimakali Temple, Shikari Devi Temple, and Barot Valley.
Folk Literature
Kamrunag Lake is said to have wealth worth lakhs or billions. Locals believe that Dev Kamrunag appears every year to bless his devotees in exchange for flowers, coins, or paper currency. Despite having so much treasure in the lake, there has never been any theft here. The lake is guarded by its guardians who protect it from people with bad intentions. Devotees offer valuables in the lake for wish fulfillment and wish fulfillment. People offer gold, silver, and coins in the lake according to their faith, due to which wealth has accumulated at the bottom of the lake. Dev Kamrunag is expected to come every year in the month of June, at that time many devotees reach here. During this, a big fair is held and thousands of people come to see and worship Lord Kamrunag.
Kamrunag Lake Story
There are not one but two interesting stories related to Kamrunag Lake. According to local folklore in the first story, the lake is named after Kamrunag, a sage who meditated for many years in the region. According to legend, Kamrunag was a powerful sage who had the ability to control the weather. They often went to him for help in times of drought or excessive rainfall. To this day, Kamrunag Lake remains a sacred site for the local people. Who believe that the sage still resides in the area and blesses them with good fortune and prosperity. Visitors to Kamrunag Lake can enjoy the serene atmosphere and natural beauty of the area, as well as pay their respects at the temple dedicated to Kamrunag. The lake is a reminder of the rich cultural and religious heritage of Himachal Pradesh and its connection with the natural world.
Interesting Stories Related to Kamrunag Lake
Another story is that the lake got its name from a story in the Mahabharata. It is said that Ghatotkacha’s son wanted to fight in the barbaric war and sought permission from his mother. His mother then asked him to fight for the side that was losing the war. Lord Krishna, hearing about this, went to test Barbarika, as he already knew that in the end. The Kaurava side was going to lose the war. Krishna assumed the form of a Brahmin and begged Barbarika and asked Barbarika for his head.
Barbaric agreed to this and made a request to Lord Krishna, which was to let him see the Mahabharata. Lord Krishna took the head to the battlefield and let him watch the battle. After the war was over, Lord Krishna blessed Barbarik and said that he would be worshiped as Khatu Shyam. And his body will be worshiped in the form of Kamru since then Kamrunag is worshipped.
