Nachiketa Tal or Lake is a natural lake located in Uttarkashi. Nachiketa Tal is the main attraction of Uttarkashi for tourists, situated in the midst of a forest surrounded by pine, deodar and other mountain trees. Nachiketa Tal is situated at an altitude of about 2450 meters above sea level. According to mythology, Nachiketa had received the knowledge of life and death from Yama, the god of death, only at the age of ten.
Nachiketa Tal, Uttarkashi - Religious Importance
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| Nachiketa Tal, Uttarkashi |
Nachiketa Tal is religiously significant in Hindu religion and culture. Many stories related to Nachiketa Tal are popular in Uttarkashi and Uttarakhand. According to mythology, Nachiketa's father Vajashravas was a Brahmin who once organized a yagya to please the gods. As it was and is the custom that the priest should be given daan dakshina after the yagya and havan, Nachiketa's father decided to donate some old cows to the priest. Child Nachiketa did not like this and asked his father that one should be donating the most beloved thing in charity but why his father was donating those old and sick cows? At first the father ignored this question, but when Nachiketa kept asking this question again and again, his father got angry at Nachiketa.
On this the father said , "Fine, you are very dear to me and I will give you to Yamraj, the god of death."
Nachiketa was taken with surprise by this answer of his father. He became very sad and than he deccided to go to Yamraj, the god of death himself. Child Nachiketa decided to leave the house and go to Yama. People believe that sitting here, near this lake Nachiketa prayed. When Yamraj met Nachiketa, he asked for three boons. Nachiketa prayed for these three boons to improve the lives of his father and family and finally expressed his desire to know the secret of life and death. Yamraj gave Nachiketa the knowledge of the existence of the soul. He also told the secret after death.
Why name Nachiketa Tal
After this incident, Nachiketa spent his life as an ascetic. It was called Nachiketa Tal after the name of Nachiketa. This taal/lake was also known as the gate of Yamalok / City of Yama.
Nachiketa Tal - nearby
Nag Devta Temple near Nachiketa Tal
Nagdevta temple is situated near Nachiketa Tal. On the day of Nagpanchami, people from the village come here for worship / prayer and also take a bath in this lake.
Yamraj Cave near Nachiketa Tal
Yamraj cave is located just a short distance from Nachiketa Tal.
Activities - Nachiketa Tal
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| Nachiketa Tal Trek |
Nachiketa Tal is famous among tourists for its natural beauty and serene environment. Tracking is the main activity here. The track starts from Chowrangkhal to Nachiketa Tal, which is about 30 km from Uttarkashi. The trek from Chaurangkhal to Nachiketa Tal is of 3 km. This trek is surrounded by pine, oak and deodar trees. This track is beautiful and the difficulty level is easy. On the way, the sound of birds cooing in the forest attracts attention again and again.
The snow-capped peaks of Bandarpoonch mountain, Gangotri and other peals of Himalayas are also visible from here.
How to reach Nachiketa Tal
By Flight
Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest to Uttarkashi to reach Nachiketa Tal. The distance of 140 kilometers from Uttarkashi to Dehradun can be covered by bus or taxi.
To reach Nachiketa Tal, the trek starts from Chowrangkhal. After covering a distance of 30 kilometers from Uttarkashi to Chowrangkhal by shared taxi, the trek starts. The distance from Chaurangkhal to Nachiketa Tal is 3 kms.
By Train
One can reach Uttarkashi by road from Dehradun or Rishikesh railway station by state transport bus or taxi. The track starts from Chowrangkhal by covering a distance of 30 kms from Uttarkashi to Chowrangkhal by shared taxi. Dehradun and Rishikesh are well connected by the railway network of India and all major railway stations in the country have direct or connected trains to these stations. Uttarkashi is not connected to the train network so Dehradun or Rishikesh are the nearest stations.
By Road
You can reach Chowrangkhal by road, by bus or by your car.
Uttarkashi other attractions and adventurous activities
Uttarakhand is considered a place of natural beauty and religious importance. Uttarakhand is also known as Dev Bhoomi and the reason for this is that the forests, lakes, mountains and small and big villages and cities here have been associated with some religious belief in one way or the other and the people of Uttarakhand have kept this heritage of theirs. has been treasured a lot.
Apart from Nachiketa Tal, Uttarkashi has many natural and religious attractions for which every year a large number of tourists come here from far off parts of the country. Uttarkashi is also a good option for trekking and other adventure activities. Uttarkashi's Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Devi Shakti Temple and Kuteti Devi Temple are also major religious attractions.
Uttarkashi Tourist Attractions
Devi Shakti Temple Uttarkashi
Kuteti Devi Temple Uttarkashi
Kandar Devta Temple Uttarkashi
Maneri Dam, Uttarkashi
Sangam Chatti, Uttarkashi
Gartang Gali, Uttarkashi
Dodital Lake, Uttarkashi
Nachiketa Lake
Her Ki Doon Valley
Harshil Village
Joshiyara, Uttarkashi
Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi
Trekking in Uttarkashi
Camping in Uttarkashi
Rishikesh Tourist Places
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