National park · India
Prashar Lake
Visit Prashar Lake for a short sunrise trek (≈2 h) in spring‑autumn, or a full 2‑day hike to Tunga Mata with camping; entry is free, taxi from Mandi costs ₹1 000‑1 500.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²)
approximate
Established
1992
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²)
- check
- Established
- 1992
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Mandi
Prashar Lake sits at 2 730 m in the Dhauladhar range, offering panoramic mountain views, a historic pagoda, and a modest alpine camping ground. Accessible by road from Mandi, it serves as a quick sunrise viewpoint walk or a base for longer treks such as the 12 km Tunga Mata pilgrimage.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1992.
Size and age
10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²) · national park since 1992
check
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Mandi.
Why go
- Lake at 2 730 m offers panoramic Dhauladhar views and a historic pagoda.
- Easy day‑trip from Mandi via road; longer treks reach remote valleys.
- Camping ground beside the lake and basic rest houses for overnight stays.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanSnow, road often closed.
- FebSnow persists, limited access.
- MarSnow melts, trails open.
- AprClear skies, moderate temps.
- MayWarm, great for trekking.
- JunStart of monsoon, occasional rain.
- JulHeavy rain, landslides possible.
- AugMonsoon peak, trails slippery.
- SepRain eases, good visibility.
- OctDry, clear views.
- NovCool, less crowd.
- DecEarly snow, road checks needed.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine meadow birdsMay–Aug · Spot e.g., Himalayan monal. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Marmot coloniesMar–Jun · Seen near forest edge. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Mandi
Bus 7:45 AM (via Kataula, Bagi) arrives ~11:15 AM, returns 1:15 PM; or hire taxi ₹1 (≈ under US$1) 000‑1 500.Bus 7:45 AM AM (via Kataula, Bagi) arrives ~11:15 AM AM, returns 1:15 AM PM; or hire taxi ₹1 (≈ under US$1) 000‑1 500.
≈3 h total
From Kataula
Local taxi or shared jeep up the motorable road to the lake.
≈1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lake area | Lake, pagoda, camping ground, rest houses. | Road open in summer; foot access year‑round when snow cleared. |
| Tunga Mata trailhead | Start of 12 km (7.5 mi) trek to Tunga Mata shrine.Start of 7.5 mi (12 km) trek to Tunga Mata shrine. | Requires guide for safety. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Lake coordinates approximate; based on common map sources.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake entry | Free | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
None no permit
Park rules
- Alcohol
- Not allowed near the lake per religious tradition.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; bins scarce.
- Camping
- Only in designated ground or PWD rest house; no wild camping.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited.
- Guides
- Required for Tunga Mata trek and any off‑road routes.
Where to stay
In the park
PWD/Forest Rest House
Basic rooms ₹500/night (check availability).
Near the park
Kataula village guesthouses
Simple rooms, ₹300‑600/night.
In the park
Camping ground
Free for self‑set up; bring own tent.
Safety
Snow‑blocked roads high
Altitude sickness medium
Unmarked trails high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Road to lake reachable by car in summer; steep final stretch not wheelchair‑friendly.
- Short, level paths around the pagoda suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Respect religious customs; avoid alcohol and litter.
- Use designated camping area to protect fragile alpine meadow.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Prashar Lake?
Entry is free; no ticket required. Some visitors pay for parking or guide services.
What are the best hikes in Prashar Lake?
Sunrise viewpoint walk (1‑2 h) and the 7.5 km lake trek are popular day hikes; the 12 km Tunga Mata pilgrimage is a 2‑day trek with camping.
When is the best time to visit Prashar Lake?
April to October offers clear weather and open roads; March and November are also workable. Winter months have snow and limited access.
Can I camp at Prashar Lake?
Yes, at the designated camping ground beside the lake; you may also stay in the PWD rest house if rooms are available.
How do I get to Prashar Lake from Mandi?
Take the 7:45 AM bus (arrives ~11:15 AM) or hire a taxi for ₹1 000‑1 500; the road is motorable in summer.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
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Sources
Ask about Prashar Lake
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