Prashar lake lies 49 km north of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India and is named after a three storied pagoda-like temple dedicated to the sage Prashar. This oval lake at a height of 2730 meters is frozen in winter and is a dazzling beauty throughout the year. Set against a backdrop of the Dauladhar mountain range, it is considered one of the many jewels of Himachal Pradesh.

The region has good road connectivity with cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun and the lake can be approached via Drang, or from Mandi or Bajuara. This makes it ideal for a quick weekend getaway for anyone in these areas. The Prashar lake trek is an easy one as it is at a comfortable altitude, and is suitable for beginners and families with children.

The trek follows a charming trail through dense pine forests and at the top of the valley, you will enjoy views of meadows with cows, woolly lambs, horses grazing, and small mud huts made the locals. You will camp here for the night, and will awaken to panoramic views of snow clad peaks of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges, and get to visit the gorgeous lake itself.

The deep blue lake lies in a saucer-shaped valley and is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. The primary inflow to the natural sweet water lake is glacial meltwater. This pristine lake is considered sacred, as the sage Prashar is said to have meditated there. A remarkable feature of the lake is that its depth has never been ascertained. Locals say that in a storm, they have seen big trees collapsing into its depths and vanishing without leaving a trace! If there's one reason to visit this lake, it's to see it for yourself and witness another of its secrets - the floating island in the middle that mysteriously changes location every now and then! This alpine lake steeped in mystery is the epitome of tranquillity and is a must-see in Himachal.

For those interested in architecture and history, there is the 13th century pagoda temple dedicated to the sage Prashar. This temple was built by Raja Ban Sen of Mandi and has a wealth of Himachali wood carvings. The temple and lake together with the stunning location offers great scenic natural beauty.

Prashar lake weather is mostly cool with temperatures ranging from -5 degree C to 25 degree C throughout the year. The best seasons for the Prashar lake trek are summer and spring, but if you love snow and want to see a winter wonderland, then December is perfect. In winter, Prashar Lake becomes a snow trek with sub-zero temperatures and is slightly more difficult. In the monsoon, the region receives heavy rainfall and it becomes hard to find dry camping ground, so you should avoid going during this time.