Beautiful Gurudongmar Lake

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29.04.2017

Today we were starting at 3.30 in the morning. So got up early. There was no light. In the candle light we got ready. Had to take bath with cold water because no light. Everyone was ready by 3.45. We started. On the way beautiful sunrise. As usual no actual seen can be seen. In morning it was pleasant to travel. As it was cold we had worn two sweaters. Himalaya is always beautiful. At hight trees were less.

We took a halt for tea. Our Golu had brought bread and butter from Gangtok. This we carried. Here, they put it in cooker. And they heat it on gas/ chulha. Butter is melted . We ate bread butter. Took tea. Army people gave us this service. Their posting is there. For acclimatization, they are put in lower camps then posted in higher camps. Here, 3 of us stayed back as they felt they can not go further as giddiness feeling was coming. Here, they eat popcorn and drink water in small sips to overtake feeling of high altitude stigma.

We travelled further. Reached Gurudongmar Lake. We can go down by steps or by slope. It is easy to go by slope. At last we made it. I was happy that I was able to come here. Because this was my main attraction to do the Sikkim tour.

We celebrated our happiness by taking photos. Then came up. Gurudongmar lake is one of the highest lakes in the world, located at an altitude of 17,800 ft (5,430 m). It is considered sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus. The lake is named after Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, who visited the lake in the 8th century. From Wikipidia"This is one of the 108 "Tso-Chen" or major holy lakes of Denjong (Sikkim) which are believed to be abodes of local guardian deities. The holy lake is located close to Mt. Khangchen Gyao, also considered sacred by the locals. During the eight century AD, Guru Padmasambhava, also referred to by Buddhists as Guru Rinpoche, hailing from the Swat region in present-day northwest Pakistan, visited Tibet at the invitation of Chogyal (Tibetan emperor) Trisong Deutsen, and introduced the practice of Tantric Buddhism to the Tibetans. On his way back from Tibet, Guru Rinpoche is believed to have visited Sikkim and Gurudongmar Lake was probably the first major landmark that the Guru came across upon his entry into the fabled hidden land of "Denjong"/"Demojong". The word "Dongmar Shab Chakpa" refers to his visit to this place. He recognised the lake as a part of Dorje Nyima/Chorten Nyima, a sacred place of worship in northern Sikkim. It is believed that the Guru, in order to provide drinking water to the local people during winter when the lake freezes, placed his hands on a part of the lake, which miraculously stopped freezing during winter, thereby facilitating in provision of drinking water to the locals. Devotees believe that by offering prayers at the holy lake, one can be blessed with the birth of a child/children."Guru Nanak had also visited the lake in 15th century.
There is a monetary. A canteen run by army. We started our return journey. Again took a halt at the morning place and had tea.and started towards hotel. We were going to have lunch in the hotel and then start for Lachung. The lunch was nice. Golu was serving us as host.

After lunch, immediately we left hotel at Lachen . Came to Lachung via Chungtham. Hotel here had a good background view. We also saw helipad there.

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