Khecheopalri Lake, also known as Kha-Chot-Palri, is a serene lake in the Indian state of Sikkim. Encircled by lush greenery all around, it is a pilgrimage site and is considered to be a holy one by both Buddhists and Hindus. The tranquil ambience and the mind-boggling natural beauty make it one of the must-visit tourist attractions in Sikkim. Being a pilgrimage site, it is also believed to be a wish-fulfilling lake. Legends say that for those who pray and sprinkle the water on themselves, their wishes are likely to come true. It is truly a paradise for nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts.
North Bengal Tourism has made visiting Khecheopalri Lake quite easy and convenient. All you have to do is just book a well-planned Sikkim Tour Package including Pelling that has Khecheopalri Lake sightseeing in the itienerary.
Khecheopalri Lake Story and Facts
The word Khecheopalri actually means heavenly abode of Padmasambhava. It holds lots of historical significance and there are several legends out there about this lake. According to some popular legends, Guru Padmasambhava taught sixty-four yoginis here. Goddess Tara Jetsun Dolma resides here and the lake is her footprint. According to some legends of Hinduism, the mighty Lord Shiva is believed to have meditated in Dupukney Cave located just above the lake. Hindus even believe the lake originated when Lord Shiva stepped on the land after his meditation.
One popular story is that a Lepcha girl was handed over a precious stone by the goddess of this lake and she subsequently lost it. It is believed that this precious stone is now hidden beneath the bottom of the lake. People also believe that the water of this lake has healing properties and wish-fulfilling capabilities and because of all these legends, the lake is being called a wish-fulfilling lake.
Being a holy lake worshipped by the locals, travellers should not try to get into the lake or put their feet in the water. It is quite a sacred religious site and the visitors should respect the people's beliefs and not try to hurt their sentiments.
Transportation Options to Reach the Lake
By Train: NJP is the nearest railway station with an approximate distance of 158.4 km. It will take around five and a half hours to reach the lake from NJP via NH10. Renting a car from NJP will not be a problem.
By Air: The business and the only airport near this lake are in Bagdogra which is in West Bengal. The distance from Bagdogra Airport to Khecheopalri Lake is approximately 165 km. It takes around 6 hours to reach the lake via National Highway 10.
By Road: The Lake is situated 34 kilometres from Pelling and 147 kilometres from Gangtok. From any of these places, travellers can take a hired car. To get the best car fare, travellers are recommended to go to a trusted and renowned car rental agency.
Activities to Do near this Lake
Several activities can be enjoyed near this Lake. Some of the best things to do near this lake are:
Feeding the fishes - The lake is full of fish. Travellers can enjoy their time here by feeding the fish. They can bring fish foods or even simple biscuits to feed them. The colourful fish eating them quite fast brings immense joy to the travellers.
Birding - The lake is a paradise for avid birdwatchers. With binoculars as well as through your naked eyes, travellers can spot Black-winged cormorants; the common teal, grebe, and white-breasted water are flying across the sky. During the migratory season, birds like the Himalayan Peregrine, bar-headed goose, and golden Oriole, among others can also be spotted here in the surrounding lush greenery of the lake.
Shop Souvenir - Near the lake, local people operate shops selling unique, beatiful handmade souvenirs. You can consider purchasing some to remember and cherish the sacred lake's blessings.
Mountain Climbing - The nearby small mountain peak is a great place for mountaineering enthusiasts. They can climb up to this hill to get a magnificent panoramic view of the lake along with the surrounding lush green forest area. From this mountain peak, the lake truly looks like a footprint.
Pray in front of the Lake - There is a firm belief among the locals as well as tourists that it is a wish-fulfilling lake. Hence visitors can pray in front of the lake so that their wishes come true for real.
Popular Festivals Celebrated near the Lake
Chho Tsho - This is a local festival celebrated in October after the cardamom harvest. It's a thanksgiving to deities and a way to express gratitude to the gods.
Chompa Chopa - A two-day annual festival takes place near the lake, a significant religious event in Sikkim. Visitors from Sikkim, Nepal, and Bhutan attend. In the Maghe Purne month, which is around March/ April, this festival occurs.
Nag Panchami - Many Lord Shiva devotees come to the lake on Nag Panchami day for worship. It's believed that Lord Shiva spent quality time and meditated near the lake and in the Dupukney cave.
Best Time to Visit Khecheopalri Lake
This lake remains beautiful throughout the year. However, if we talk about the best time, the months of October to February can be the ideal choice for the travellers which is the season of winter here. During these months, the beauty of the lake and its surroundings stay at their peak and travelers love the weather too. Heavy rainfall can be seen here during the monsoon season.
The roads towards this lake sometimes get blocked because of the frequent landslides. As a result, we usually don't recommend that people visit Khecheopalri Lake during monsoon season. However, the season of monsoon has its own charm and beauty to offer to the travellers when the lush greenery of the place becomes greener than before.
Places to Visit near Khecheopalri Lake
There are several places to visit near the magnificent Khecheopalri Lake. The best ones are as mentioned below-
Khecheopalri Village- The lake itself is located at Khecheopalri Village. A village is completely a serene place with quite less population. The travellers will come across truly friendly villagers. Wandering around the village and having a cup of tea while enjoying the surrounding greenery are some of the best activities one can do in this village.
Pemayangtse Monastery- This Monastery is just 1 hour of driving distance away from this lake. Lama Lhatsun Chempo is the founder of this monastery which had been founded in the year 1647, making it one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim. It follows the Nyingma Order of Tibetan Buddhism and it is only for the monks of pure lineage (ta-tshang). Visitors will certainly love the location and the way it was made at an elevation of at an elevation of 2085 meters above sea level. The beautiful paintings on its walls and statues of saints and Rinpoches, idolized on various floors are truly magnificent to look at. Visitors can also take part in the popular Cham Dance Festival every year which usually happens on the 28th and 29th day of the 12th lunar month of the Tibetan calendar.
Kanchenjunga Waterfalls- Not more than 17 km away from this green emerald lake, Kanchenjunga Waterfall is a must-visit tourist site. Travellers need to have only 40 minutes of driving through the winding road to this splendid waterfall splashing on the ground, surrounded by dense forests and green hills. Being one of the tallest waterfalls in the region, the cascading waterfall with the sound of falling water provides a great view and experience of a lifetime to the spectators. Travellers can capture some stunning photos of them by standing in front of the waterfall and let their friends know the beauty of this place by sharing it through social media.
Tashi Choling Monastery- From the lake, TashiCholing Monastery is a great Buddhist religious site. Nestled in an extremely tranquil place, surrounded by mountains and lush greenery, the place is truly a must-visit for those who want to spend some quality time in complete peace. This Buddhist monastery can truly help people forget all their worries in life and help them rejuvenate their souls as new ones.
Hotels and Homestays near this Lake
Because of its location at a secluded hamlet, there are only homestays available to stay near the lake. Most of them are run by friendly local villagers. All these homestays are equipped with basic amenities. There are electricity, running water, attached bathrooms and more. View rooms are also there for those who demand it. North Bengal Tourism Homestay Booking Service can help travellers find a suitable homestay for a comfortable night stay near Khecheopalri Lake.