Parashar Lake is a lake which gives the feeling of tranquility. This lake is available in Mandi and it is said to be a place of meditation for Sage Parashar. Incidentally Sage Parashar was the person who made Satyavati to emanate a fragrance from her body thus transforming her from Matsyagandha to Satyavati.
Story behind Parashar Lake
It is said that Pandavas were returning from after Mahabharata war with Deity Kamrunag (known as Kamru Valley) to find best place for their teacher, Dev Kamrunag and Deity. He loved the beauty and isolation of this place so much that he decided to stay here for the rest of his life.
On his request, Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers formed the lake by pushing his elbow and forearm on the peak of the mountain. Locals believe that the lake is in the shape of Bheem’s elbow. Hence the region came to be known as Kamru Valley. And the lake is also known as Kamrunag Lake.
Interesting Facts
Nobody knows the depth of Parashar Lake. Locals say that once they have seen big trees drowning in water due to a storm and that too without leaving a trace on the outer surface.
The unique thing about this lake is that there is a patch of grass which moves from one end to the other end.in the summers it is one end and in winters it touches the other end.
The pujari or the priest of the temple is not a brahmin but a Rajput.
Mythology says that this lake was formed by Pandavas when they were on their way. Many a time in storms an almost 30-meter-tall cedar tree would fall into the lake to disappear.