Serolsar Lake: Breathtaking view of Lake in Mountains

The land of Himachal is famous for thousands of ‘Devi Devtas’. Kullu one of the districts of Himachal Pradesh has a number of beautiful temples located in scenic locations away from the hustle and bustle of city life. One such temple in the Kullu district is the Serol Sar temple. The place is famous for the beautiful natural lake called ‘Serol Sar’.

Serol Sar Lake and Temple History and Description:

Once we reach Serol Sar, we get to see the majestic view of the holy lake, Serol Sar spreading as wide as a football ground. Located amidst the tall Kharshoo trees at a height of about 10,000 feet, Serol Sar is no less than heaven. Just near the Serol Sar Lake, we have the temple of the goddess Buddhi Nagin’. It is believed that the goddess ‘Buddhi Nagin’ resides inside the Serol Sar Lake and is the mother of 60 ‘Nag Devtas’ in Himachal. It is also said that Pandavas visited Serol Sar in Dwaparyug during their exile period and planted rice here.

Trek to Serolsar Lake :-

The 6-km-long, lightly-trafficked road from the village of Shoja, 2600 metres, up to the pass is also an attractive day trek option for individual trekkers or families not wanting to wander off the road, which winds its way here through thick forests of Deodar and Kharsu Oaks as it heads up to the pass.

There are a few tea shops at the pass catering mainly to buses plying between the Sutlej & Beas valleys. The trail to Serolsar Lake branches off the path heading up from just below the temple atop Jalori pass.

Around a hundred metres from the temple the Serolsar path forks downwards. From here the track runs just below the southern edge of the ridge at a fairly level gradient, rising or dipping occasionally to cross rock outcrops as it winds through moss-covered oak and rhododendron forests.

Oak forest enroute to Serolsar Lake

Around a kilometre from the start point it touches the ridge line at a grassy meadow, which also offers a good view of both the Sutlej & Tirthan valley. Some 20 minutes further there are a few tea shops offering basic fare. A small ridge just before Serolsar hides the lake from view until you are above it.

There is a temple at the lake and a one-room Dharamsala where visitors can stay the night for a modest sum. However, the Dharamshala is open only in summer. The tea stall just before the lake may also offer basic accommodation.

The temperature of Serol sar is very cool all around the year. In winter Serol sar, experiences snowfall up to 5-8 feet. The place is best to visit during summer. People visiting this place are all advised to come with their own food items and necessary woollen clothing. Now, small rest houses have also been built to provide stay facilities for the devotees but even then they are advised to be well-equipped with their own materials.