Prashar Lake from Mandi in a day — the lake, the temple, and back to the old town
One day for Prashar Lake, the high lake north of Mandi at 2,730 m, about 36 km and 72 min by road. The temple of Maharishi Parashar stands on its bank, built in the pagoda style with carved pillars, and in the middle of the water floats the island that moves from one side of the lake to the other. The afternoon comes back down to the Panchvaktra Temple and the Victoria Bridge in the old town.
Photos: Timothy A. Gonsalves (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Harvinder Chandigarh (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Aranya Kar (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Who this is for
Anyone staying in Mandi with one free day, pilgrims and walkers alike. Families manage it easily; the walk from the road to the water is short.
Day by day
Day 1Up to Prashar Lake, down to the old town
3 stops · 10 h 37 min on the road
Up to Prashar Lake, down to the old town
Leave Mandi by eight for the climb to the lake, spend the late morning there, and come back down for the evening in the old town by the river.
- 09:30Prashar LakeThe lake at 2,730 m with its floating island and the three-storied pagoda temple of Maharishi Parashar, who did his penance here. The temple is open all year. A short walk from where the road ends; in winter the last stretch can be under snow, so ask in Mandi before setting off.
- ↓ 10 h 36 min by road · 48 km15:00Panchvaktra Temple, MandiBack in town, the five-faced Shiva temple on the bank where the Suketi meets the Beas. The steps down from the road are not measured on our map.
- ↓ a short walk16:30Victoria Bridge, MandiThe old iron bridge over the Beas, now for walkers only, for the evening light on the river.
Getting there
Mandi sits on the Chandigarh–Manali highway; see how to reach Mandi. The lake road climbs from the town; a taxi from Mandi is the simple way up.
Where to stay
Mandi is the base. The lake is a round trip, not an overnight move.
Know before you go
- Start early, so the drive up and the time at the lake both fit the morning.
- Carry a warm layer even in summer; at 2,730 m the lake is far colder than Mandi.
- In winter, ask in Mandi how far the road is clear before setting off.
Places on this route
Going together
No one has started a group going on this plan yet. Start one and other travellers can ask to come along.
Other ways to do it
All Mandi itineraries →
More places nearby
All of Mandi →
Nearby destinations
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Questions people ask
How far is Prashar Lake from Mandi?
About 36 km and 72 min by road on our measured routing, climbing north from the town to 2,730 m. The road reaches close to the lake, and the last stretch is a short walk. Allow a full morning for the trip up and time at the water, and be back in Mandi by mid-afternoon.
Is the Prashar temple open all year?
Yes, the temple of Maharishi Parashar on the lake's bank is open throughout the year, and fairs are held there in different seasons. In winter the lake and its surroundings can be under snow and the road may be slow, so check the conditions in Mandi before you go up.
What is the floating island at Prashar Lake?
A round island of matted plants and roots that floats on the lake and moves from one side of the water to the other. It is the lake's best-known sight, together with the carved pagoda temple on the bank. Nobody has published a firm measurement of the lake's depth.