Gosaikunda is a glacier lake in Langtang.
This lake is believed to have been created
by Lord Shiva when he thrust his Trishula
(trident) into a mountain to extract water
so that he could cool his stinging throat
after he had swallowed poison. There is
a large rock in the center of the lake,
which is said to be the remains of a Shiva
shrine. People often claim that they see
Shiva lying in the water. Devotees gather
here in hordes on the full moon night of
August to take holy dips in the lake. Gosaikunda
is situated at the altitude of 4380 mt.
to the north of Kathmdnu on the Langtang
trekking trail. The holy lake is a two day
long trek from Dhunche, which can be reached
through an adventurous 118 km mountain road
from Kathmandu via Trishuli Bazaar.
You follow a rugged trail with dramatic
views; to the west Himal chuli (7893m) Manaslu
(8156mm) and Ganesh Himal (7406m). On a
clear day, even the Annapurna range can
be seen rising up behind and to the north
across the valley is Langtang Lirung. You
pass a few huts in the high picture of Laurebina,
cross a small ridge and have our first views
of the holy lakes. There are about a dozen
lakes in the Gosainkunda Basin, the main
three being Saraswatikunda, Bhairabkunda,
and Gosainkunda. The most auspicious day
for the Pilgrimage is Full moon day (Shrawan
Purnima) in July. Many pilgrims from Nepal
and India take a bath in the Lake.
Outline
Itinerary
Day
1
Drive
from Kathmandu to Sundarijal
(1350m.) which takes about one
hour and trek from Sundarijal
to Chisopani. The unpaved road
from Kathmandu turns into a
trail near a small hydroelectric
plant. The trail will enter
through the Shivpuri Watershed
and Wildlife Reserve. The first
settlement you will come across
is Mulkharka with Tamang inhabitants.
The route heads down the ridge
through a forest of oaks and
rhododendron to Chisopani (2300m.)
Day
2
Trek
from Chisopani to Kutumsang
(2446m.) and it takes about
eight hours. The trail continues
to drop from Chisopani on a
good, sometimes level, trail
that crosses meadow and fields.
You will then descend through
Pathi Bhanjyang till Gul Bhanjyang.
The trail climbs the ridge from
Gul Bhanjyang to another pass
at 2620m. The meadow makes a
good camping spot, its downhill
to Kutumsang at 2470m, in a
saddle atop the ridge.
Day
3
Trek
from Kutumsang to Magen Goth
(3514m.) which takes about three
hours. The trek continues north
up the Yurin Danda ridge and
affords views of the peaks.
The trail climbs above Kutumsang
on a steep, eroded trail mostly
through fir and rhododendron
forest where there are no permanent
settlements. The trail then
descends to Magen Goth.
Day
4
Trek
from Magen Goth to Ghopte (3430m.)
via Tharepati Pass (3650m.)
and it takes about five hours.
You continue to climb, steeply
at first then more gradually,
the trail makes some ups and
downs passing through the forest,
across flower strewn meadows
and crossing streams. You will
reach Tharepati which consists
of a few Goths and lodges. From
the top of this famous ridge
the trail ascends through the
forest, climbing in and out
of ravines across the head of
the valley, Giant cliff towers
far above.
Day
5
Trek
from Ghopte to Gosaikunda (4361m.)
that takes approximately seven
hours. The trail ascends through
the meadow of bushes and some
rhododendron trees. The trail
gradually ascends to Phedi (3500m.)
The trail ascends along side
a stream through alpine trees.
The trail then is bit rough
and crosses moraines but it
is well marked with rock cairns.
Day
6
Rest
at Gosaikunda. The large lake
Gosaikunda is at an elevation
of 4361m. There are several
small stone shelters for pilgrimage
on the north-western side of
the lake. Hundreds of people
come here to worship and bath
in the lake during the full
moon festival each August. You
will witness some black and
white stones in the lake with
an individual story about Lord
Shiva and his creation.
Day
7
Trek
from Gosaikunda to Chandanbari
(2350m.) which takes about five
hours. The trail gently ascends
for a short through different
chortens and small Shiva temples.
The trail then descends to Laure
Binayak to Singh Gompa. The
Gompa, which houses a statue
of the Green Tara, is one of
the famous destinations for
the trekkers. You can witness
small cheese factories and several
lodges here. The trail now will
go through the forest and reach
Chandanbari.
Day
8
Trek
from Chandanbari to Dhunche
and it takes about four and
half hours. You trek along gradual
descent path. On the way you
walk through several forests
and villages as well.
Day
9
Drive
from Dhunche to Kathmandu by
bus and it takes about seven
hours. It is a pleasant drive
back to Kathmandu.
