Chorabari Lake – The Pristine Lake Near Kedarnath

About Chorabari Lake

Located at an altitude of 12800 feet above sea level and well known as Gandhi Sarovar, Chorabari Lake is situated at the toe of the Chorabari glacier. This lake is known as the origin of the Mandakini River and is located just 2 kilometers away from the Holy  Kedarnath Temple . This lake is renamed Gandhi Sarovar after some of the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were scattered in it. As per the legends, it is also said that this is the place where Lord Shiva imparted the knowledge of yoga to the Sapt Rishis.

On June 17, 2013, the soil holding water in the Glacier slipped due to the incessantly increasing water level in the lake, causing huge destruction in  Kedarnath  Valley in the form of a flood. After that, a monitoring camp was set up by the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Ecology to monitor the water level at regular intervals.

Chorabari glacier is also gaining popularity as a favorite trekking destination. In addition to providing a bird's-eye view of Kedar Valley, this lake also provides a magnificent view of some of the famous snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan ranges. Trekking to this pristine lake is a lifetime experience, but it's recommended to start early for Chorabari Lake as the weather here is very unpredictable.

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Chorabari Lake 2013

Chorbari Lake is one of the 14 lakes in the Mandakini River basin, spread all along the river. The Mandakini River is one of the most important tributaries to the holy river Ganga. The main source of this lake is the dripping water from the Chorabari glacier, and for most of the year, this lake remains full, with great variation in the water level of Chorabari Lake. Due to climate change, the glacier retreated for more than 200 meters, making its catchment area even wider. As per the report published by the Vadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, which has a monitoring camp at this lake, the accumulated water was adding to the depth of the lake by 2-3 meters every year, resulting in huge pressure on the mountains and soil, and creating embankments at Chorabari Lake. On the morning of June 17, 2013, due to heavy rainfall (more than 315mm) and the melting of the glacier, it broke its embankment, and the lake emptied in a few minutes, resulting in a flow of huge amounts of water with boulders and morains with it, causing devastation all around the Kedar valley. Lakhs of people have lost their loved ones in this flood.

Note:- You can book your  Kedaranth yatra package  with Manchala Mushafir. We provide a  Kedarnath yatra package cost  of INR 9500 per person from Haridwar to Haridwar, including transportation, meals, guide,  Kedarnath yatra registration , luxury stay, river rafting, etc.

How to reach:-

By Air :- The nearest airport to Chorabari Lake is Jolly Grant Airport, which is also known as Dehradun Airport. Regular flights are available from all the major cities. Prominent operators at this airport are Spice Jet, Indigo, and Air India. The nearest international airport to this lake is Indra Gandhi International (IGI) airport.

By Train :- The nearest railway station to Chora Bari Lake is Yog Nagri Rishikesh Airport. But you may not get a direct train from your hometown to Rishikesh, so you can also look for trains to Haridwar or Dehradun railway station, as Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun are sister cities located very close to each other.

By Road :- After Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun, the only option left to move ahead is by road. So basically, we have three options available: one is to book a personal cab that will drop you off at Sonprayag and take you back. This cab will always remain with you, so it will cost more. The next option is to take a shared cab, which is easily available in front of Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun airports. This cab will drop you off at Sonprayag. This method is the most economical and comfortable. The third and last option is to take a roadway bus; it would be the most economical way to travel, but it may not be very comfortable as roads are very rough. If you are on a budget trip, you can consider taking this option.

All the outside vehicles are allowed only until Sonprayag. Ahead of Sonprayag, you have to take a shared jeep operated by the government with a minimal charge of Rs 50 per person. That jeep will drop you off in  Gaurikund . From  Gaurikund , you have multiple options, like taking a pitthu, palki, khacchar, or trekking all the way to Kedarnath. Moving ahead of Kedarnath, trekking is the only possible option.

Important places to visit near Chorabari Lake:-

Chorabari Lake is surrounded by some of the most prominent places, and you can visit one or more while visiting this lake.

Kedarnath Temple : One of the most prominent pilgrimage sites for Hindus is Kedarnath Temple, located just 2 km from Chora Bari Lake. In fact, Kedarnath Temple falls on the route to Chorabari Lake and is a prime attraction in this area. This Shiva temple is part of the  12 jyotirlingas ,  Panch Kedar ,  Chota Char Dham Yatra , and  Do Dham Yatra . Millions of pilgrims visit this temple to admire its beauty and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva, as it is believed to be the gateway to heaven. You can go on the  Kedarnath Yatra  on your own, or you can book your  Kedarnath tour package  with Manchala Mushafir for your comfortable and luxurious journey. Here  Kedarnath yatra package costs  you around 9500 + 5% GST if you are travelling alone. If you are travelling in a group, the price may decrease further depending on your group size.  Kedarnath Yatra Package  will include your travel, meals, stay, guide, yatra registration, river rafting, and many more. Contact our customer care executive to know more about it.

Bhairav Nath Temple : Another prominent location to visit near Chorabari Lake is Bhairav Nath Temple. Located at a distance of 400 meters from Kedarnath Temple and about 2.3 km from Chorabari Lake, Bhairo Nath Temple is believed to be the protector god of the Kedar Valley. Vahanas of Bhairo Nath are considered to be the dog. Every day, thousands of pilgrims visit the Bhairo Nath temple to offer mustard oil to Bhairo Nath and ask for prosperity in life and family.

Vasuki Tal : Another most prominent place to visit near Kedarnath temple is Vasuki Tal, which got its name on the name of the "Vasuki snake" seen in the neck of lord shiva. It is said that one can see Vasuki nag around this region during Nag Panchami. It is also said that lord vishnu used to take a bath in this lake every year on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan before going to the ceremony to Maa Parvati. This alpine lake is gaining popularity as one of the most famous trekking destinations, and a lot of devotees visiting Kedarnath take the Vasuki tal trek to admire the beauty of this place and have a close view of some of the snow-capped mountain peaks around. Some of the most famous mountain peaks visible from this lake are "Chaukhambha", "Shivling Peak", "Vasuki Parbat," and Neelkanth.

Trekking Route

There are no stay options or shops available near Chorabari Lake. All the conveniences are available only until kedarnath. So basically, we have two options: either to trek back from Chorabari Lake and stay at Kedarnath, or to carry your own camping tents and camping equipment with you. If you are going to stay there, then here is a list of essentials you are going to need.

Essentials to carry on the Chorabari Lake Trek:

Chorabari Lake FAQ's

How far is Chorabari Lake from Kedarnath Temple?

Chorabari Lake is situated at a distance of 2 km from the Kedarnath Temple. It is the origin of the Mandakini river and holds crystal clear water, which accumulates from the melting of the Chorabari glacier.

How to reach Chorabari Lake?

Chorabari Lake is located at a distance of just 2 km from the Kedarnath temple and is one of the most beautiful and famous trekking destinations ahead of the Kedarnath temple. To reach here, you need to cross the iron bridge, and the trails going straight toward the back of the Kedarnath temple will lead you to the Chorabari Glacier

Which lake burst in Kedarnath?

The bank of Chorabari lake broke down due to the huge water collected by the cloud burst, causing the worst flood Uttarakhand had ever seen in the century. In this flood, thousands of devotees and locals had lost their lives with damage of millions of dollars.

Is Chorabari Lake still there?

Yes, Chorabari Lake is still there at the Kedarnath temple. It is the origin of the Mandakini River. During the flood of 2013 bank of Chorabari Lake was destroyed, and all the morains were washed away, which was not reconstructed later on to avoid any flood like that that happened in 2013

Where is Chorabari Glacier?

Chorabari Glacier is located near the Chorabari Lake, about 2 km from the Kedarnath temple. It feeds the Chorabari lake, which ultimately gives birth to the Mandakini river, one of the tributaries of the river Alaknanda

Which river originates from Chorabari?

Chorabari Lake is located at a distance of 2 km from the Kedarnath temple. River Mandakini originates from the Chorabari lake and is a tributary of the river Alaknanda.

Is it safe to visit Chorabari Lake now?

Yes, it is safe to visit Chorabari Lake now. Before visiting, check the weather conditions, as it is a high-altitude trek near Kedarnath. Please ensure all travel tips and check with the local authorities before planning the trip.

What was the position of Chorabari Lake before and after?

Before 2013, Chorabari Lake was a beautiful glacier lake. and it provides an eye-catching view. But after the 2013 floods, the Chorabari Lake was severely impacted. But today it also remains a spot for pilgrims.

What is the location of Chorabari Lake?

Chorabari Lake is located at an altitude of 3,900 meters near Kedarnath in Uttarakhand. It is situated nearly 3 km from the Chorabari glacier. and it is famous for the Kedarnath temple, making it a popular pilgrimage spot.

What is the view of Chorabari Glacier Lake?

Chorabari Lake is a high-altitude location that provides a stunning view of the snow-capped peaks and a serene water surface. and it offers a peaceful experience to every trekker. Takes you to the majestic Himalayan landscapes.

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