Nandansar Lake in Kashmir

Nandansar lake is an alpine lake, known for its dreamy turquoise-colored water. It is located in Pir Panjal Range of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir. Nandansar is a twin-cluster lake of Chandansar lake which is situated around 1.5 km apart from it and is the part of the Seven Valley Lakes (Girgan Valley). 

There are some supernatural myths and stories related to Nandansar lake. Local people believe that it is a sacred lake which is created by the divine for spiritual  cleansing. For this reason, physical activities around the lake are strictly prohibited. But somehow this prohibition helped Nandansar lake to be untouched, pristine and having pure and crystal clear water.

Nandansar lake is part of glacial lakes created in the Pir Panjal mountain range. It is somewhat round in shape and has a bowl-like structure. The Elevation of Nandansar is around 3,960 meters (13,000 ft) above sea level. It stretches around 1.5 km in length and around 0.5 km in width. 

Due to higher elevation than Chandansar, the water from Nandansar drains into Chandansar through underground seepage and channels. Thus Nandansar works as a feeder to Chandansar lake. The overall water flow of both lakes contributes to Warwan river, a tributary to Chenab river.

The terrain of the lake is remote, rocky and icy. For trekking, it's on a moderate level, better suitable for experienced or physically fit trekkers.

The common basecamp for Nandansar lake is Chandimarh village. From Chandimarh to Nandansar, it takes around 50-60 km to reach, depending on which route is taken. Usually trekking of Nandansar lake is included in the package of Pir panjal lakes trek or Seven Lakes Valley Trek. It takes around 7-8 days to complete the trek. 

The popular campsite or halts are villages like Bhallesa or Kellar and Chhattapani which offers breathtaking views of alpine meadows, pine forests and milky waterfalls.

Nandansar lake trek also includes visiting other lakes of Seven Lakes Valley like Chandansar, Bagsar, Sukhsar, Neelsar, situated around 2-4 km distance from each other.

Due to high-altitude and snowfall, the lake is only accessible from June to September. Daytime temperature is around 10°C to 15°C which drops to –0°C at night time. Sudden weather changes like rain and hailstorm are predictable. Trekkers must be well-prepared for it.

The rich biodiversity of Nandansar lake area is a bonus to photography lovers. Many rare Himalayan flora like blue poppies, wild tulips, edelweiss are treat to eyes. Wildlife like Himalayan marmot, musk deers, eagles and sometimes even the rare snow leopard can be spotted here.

Nandansar and other lakes located in the valley are the sources of fresh water supply in the region. These lakes are the parts of the seasonal pasture routes of the local communities like Gaddi, Gujjar and Bakarwal. Their animals help cultivate crops such as maize and wheat. These communities get their livelihood through animal husbandry and produce wool, meat and dairy products. It supports the Kashmir economy and also adds a rustic charm to Kashmir’s tourism.

Read more: Ultimate 7-Day Guide to Exploring the Majestic Pir Panjal Valley