World Ghoomo

World Travel Destinations

Lake

Karanji Lake – Mysore – India

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At the bottom of Chamundi Hills of Mysore city, one of the biggest and most beautiful lakes of Karnataka, the famous Karanji Lake is located. The entire area of the lake is about 90 acres mostly surrounded by well maintained plants & trees. The lake ‘Karanji Kere’ as it is called was a percolation tank built by the King of Mysore 100 years ago to facilitate water supply. But it was converted into a reservoir in the year 1976. 

 

Today when we are facing the problems of global warming and threat to environment,KaranjiLakestands out as an example of wetland ecosystem. It is a habitation for more than 90 different species of resident and migratory birds. The lake attracts the birds of rare species such as pelicans, darters and painted storks and many other birds from aquatic family.

 

The name of this beautiful lake in local language Kannada is ‘Karanji Kere’, which means Fountain Lake. It is close behind the Mysore Zoo and it is owned and maintained by the Mysore Zoo Authority.

 

Children Park

Part of the lake is having a small playing area for children. It’s an open area having a playhouse with lot many toys such as swings, seesaw, sliding board along with a bird house having small, colorful birds, which attract the kids all the time.

 

Boating facility

The lake has the boating facility. It offers both boating and paddling options. Boating is a joy in the shiny, clean water with full of greenery around, in the most natural atmosphere. It’s fun to watch the bird closely, either flying over the water or trying to catch a fish.

 

Aviary

The lake has one of the biggest aviaries in India.The aviary was put up on the side of the lake.  The facilities inside the aviary and its maintenance are outstanding. Here you will find more than 50 birds of rare species which includes peacocks, white-peacocks, white & black swans, turkeys, hornbills, storks, sandpipers and the rabbits running around the artificial ponds and fountains. The luckier ones can see the peacocks dance with the elegant plume from very close quarters.  Walking through the aviary is an amazing experience. Watching the birds from a closer distance, listening to their chirping makes the atmosphere lively and refreshing.

 

The Watch Tower

The central part of the lake has a watch tower which offers the best bird watching view.The three story tower is of about 50 m height. It is a treat to the enthusiastic bird watcher to catch the lovely view of the entire park. The large number of sun birds can be seen moving around the watch tower surrounded by the greenery.

 

Butterfly Park

At the end of the walking path along the lake is a small island, which can be reached by a narrow bridge. The island is theButterflyParkwhich is solely dedicated to the colorful and rare kinds of butterflies. The butterflies are looked after well by constant botanical support. TheKaranjiLakehas vast collection of variety of plants and species which helps them to attract the butterflies. Reaching to theButterflyParkis a tiring journey but these butterflies of all different sizes, shapes and colors refresh the minds and energies the bodies.

 

 

 

Pangong Lake – Ladakh

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Literally meaning “Lake of the Great Hollow”, the Pangong lake lies 160 Km southeast of the capital town ofLehand is certainly one of the most mesmerizing sights of Ladakh. Technically speaking it is the largest endoheric lake inAsiaand lies at an altitude of 13,900 feet above the sea level. Though salty the water of this lake is crystal clear displaying a breathtaking shade of azure blue. The sheer size of this beautiful lake leaves one in astonishment as you approach it the first time.  The lake is 5 Km wide at it broadest point and is more than 135 Km long covering a massive area of more than 604 Square Kilometers.

 

PangongLakeis about 5 hours drive from Leh through breathtaking and scenic valleys of Thiksey and Chemrey. The drive may not be comfortable as the condition of the roads need serious repairs every year after the snow melts, but the serene views of the valley prevents any fatigue from setting in. One has to cross the Chang la Pass followed by the ‘Pagal naala’ enroute toPangongLake. There are few tea stalls at the pass that provide hot cup of tea at those freezing altitudes. There are stray horses and the Pashmina sheep of the locals grazing peacefully on both sides of the meandering road as one approaches the lake.

 

The wonderful effect that mesmerizes visitors is primarily created by the huge barren mountain ranges that flank the lake with their over powering shadows making stunning reflections of the pristine blue waters of the lake. It is as if the lake holds augment to the skies as the majestic mountains look on. The blue waters of the lake change shades with the sun’s movement giving a mystic feel to the entire locale. Small migratory birds that visit the lake in summers add to the wonder as they swing calmly to the small ripples on the lake water. The brown headed gulls and the majestic black-necked crane are among the most often sighted avian visitors to the lake.

 

The serene blue waters extend well beyond Indian borders intoTibet. In fact only one fourth of the lake is inIndiawith the rest under the control of Chinese authorities. The Man and Merak village accommodating Tibetian Gypsies lie nearby and are livable only in the summers. The Spangmik is the farthest habitable area till where the visitors are permitted. The Indian army has many bases beyond that village which saw some fierce fighting during the Indo China war of 1962. There are few war memorials there which can be accessed only after specific clearance from Army authorities.

 

The waters of theLakefreeze during winters providing a perfect hard walking surface for yaks, ponies and sheep to move in their migratory path. Recently the panging lake came into lime light in the Bollywood hit movie 3 Idiots whose final scenes were shot on the banks of the lake. The passes required to visit the lake are easily obtainable at Leh through any travel agent.

 

The rarified atmosphere, majestic mountains, clear skies and pristine blue waters of the lake combine to create a magical effect that lingers in the memory long after you have left the place.