Suraj Tal
| Suraj Tal | |
|---|---|
| Location | CB Range, Lahaul Valley, Himachal |
| Coordinates | 32°45′N 77°24′E / 32.750°N 77.400°E |
| Type | High altitude Lake |
| Primary inflows | Glacier and Snow melt |
| Primary outflows | Bhaga River |
| Basin countries |  India |
| Shore length1 | 4 km (2.5 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 4,950 m (16,240.2 ft) |
| Frozen | During winter |
| Settlements | Patseo and Darcha (mountain hamlets) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Suraj Tal or Suraj Tal Lake also called Surya taal, is a sacred body of water, literally means the Lake of the Sun God, and is located at a high altitude of 4,950 m (16,240.2 ft) of the Bara-lacha-la pass (8 km (5.0 mi) in length) in the Lahaul and Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh State in India and is the highest lake in India, and the 21st-highest in the world.[1][2] Uraj Tal Lake is the source of Bhaga River which joins the Chandra River downstream at Tandi to form the Chandrabhaga River in Himachal Pradesh territory, and as it enters Jammu and Kashmir it is renamed as the Chenab River.[2] The Bhaga River (a tributary of the Chandrabhaga or Chenab) originates from Surya taal. The other major tributary of the Chandrabhaga, the Chandra originates from the glacier close to the Chandra Taal lake in the Spiti district.
Access
Keylong, the district headquarters of the Lahaul Spiti district (frontier district of India), is approachable by road by the National High Way NH 21 which connects Manali to Leh. Suraj Tal is 65 km (40.4 mi) from Keylong and Bara-lacha-la Pass (4,883 m (16,020.3 ft)) which is at the head of the Lake and 73 km (45.4 mi) from Keylong. The NH 21 is the vital road link for the people living in the Lahaul Spiti district and the Indian Army has a strong presence in this inhospitable region to ensure that the nation’s borders are secure. The Indian Border Roads Organization (BRDO) is the custodian of this road for construction, operation and maintenance. The road skirts the Suraj Tal and is just 3 km (1.9 mi) short of the Baralacha la pass.[3] This highest mountain road in the world remains inaccessible from Rohtang Pass to Leh during winter months of November to April since the pass becomes totally snow bound during this period. However, helicopter services link Keylong town in the Lahaul valley for 3 to 4 months to provide mobility, essential supplies and emergency evacuation needs of employees and local people in the valley.[4][5][6]
To make this road an all weather road a proposal to construct an 8.8 km (5.5 mi) long Tunnel beneath the Rohtang Pass is under consideration.[7]
Terrain
The lake is fed from the Baralacha la Pass which is 8 km (5.0 mi) long, also called as ‘Pass with crossroads on summit’ since roads from Zanskar, Ladakh, Spiti and Lahaul meet at this pass. Apart from the Bhaga River which originates from the Lake, Baralacha-la Pass is also the source of Chandra River and Yunan River in the north-west and north respectively.[3]
The lake is situated in the Upper Himalayan Zone or High Latitudinal Zone part of the Himalayas which has very sparse population with climatic conditions akin to polar conditions. Snowfall in this zone, though scanty, is reported to be spread all round the year. Rainfall precipitation is rare in the region. Snow precipitation from snow storms is reported to be less than 20 cm (7.9 in) of snow in nearly 50 % of the storms, even though one observatory in the region has reported 80 cm (31.5 in) of snow fall. The precipitation starts melting from May. Snow on slopes is generally slackly bonded, with wind redistributing it. The average total snowfall recorded in a year is reported to be 12 m (39.4 ft) –15 m (49.2 ft) with temperatures of Highest Max. 13 °C (55.4 °F), Mean Max.0.5 °C (32.9 °F),Mean Minimum minus 11.7 °C (53.1 °F) and Lowest Minimum of minus 27 °C (80.6 °F). The ground in the zone is covered with scree and boulders.[3]
Bhaga Valley
The Bhaga valley (Tod or Stod Valley) formed from Suraj Tal upto Tandi, the confluence point with Chandra River, is 64 km (39.8 mi) long.[8] The valley, which is a narrow gorge, is devoid of any vegetation upto Darcha and there after it widens upto its confluence with Chandra River at Tandi with terraces between Darcha and Tandi which are under cultivation in the lower slopes, with the middle slopes having grasslands. Plantation of trees and shrubs to meet fuel wood and fodder requirements have been done on the hill slopes.[9]
Geology
The Lake's geology is represented by the Baralacha la Pass which is reported to be an early rifting event on the northern Indian passive margin and that the Basalts which are emplaced along the trans–tensional faults indicate that.[10]
Legend
Folklore states that there were two lovers, Chandra being the daughter of the Moon and Bhaga the son of the Sun god. To perform their eternal marriage, they decided to climb to the Baralacha la and from there they ran in opposite directions. Chandra being active and smart easily found her way & reached Tandi after covering the distance of 115 km (71.5 mi). Soon Bhaga was found coming with great struggle through the narrow gorges to Tandi where consequently both met and the celestial marriage was performed. Bhaga covered about 60 km (37.3 mi) distance, which was very difficult.[11]
In Rudyard Kipling's novel Kim, there is a reference to Baralacha la pass the source of the Suraj Tal having been used by Kim's Lama to enter India from Tibet.[12]
Tourist tours to the lake
Lahaul Spiti valley is common a destination for Indian and foreign tourists for road trips, trekking and motorcycling which cover the Lake and the Baralacha la pass, en-route from Manali to Leh.[13]
Trekking
Trekking tours are a common feature. One such trek route is the Zingzingbar–Suraj Tal–Baralacha la which involves trek along the Bhaga River for 3 km (1.9 mi), cross a bridge to the North bank, then a further climb of 2.5 km (1.6 mi) from the bridge followed by a steep foot trail up to Suraj Tal.[14]
Biking tours
Motorcyle trips during the season when the area is approachable are undertaken by tourists. During such trips from Manali to Leh, the section between Patseo to Baralacha la is a rough journey of 30 km (18.6 mi). Along this route, two small lakes, the Deepak Tal and the Suraj Tal are seen.[15]
References
- ^ The Highest Lake in the World
- ^ a b Lakes
- ^ a b c Training Report on Feasibility Study of Existing Manali-Darcha Highway and Proposed Darcha-Padam Road Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques
- ^ Lahaul and Spiti District
- ^ http://hplahaulspiti.gov.in/Administration1.htm
- ^ Lahaul - Spiti
- ^ The Tribune, Himachal Pradesh, Rohtang tunnel faces environmental row
- ^ Lahaul and Spiti District
- ^ Indian Himalayas, Lahaul and Spiti
- ^ "The Carboniferous Baralacha la basaltic dykes (Upper Lahul, Ladakh): remnants of an early rifting event along the Indian northern plate". Retrieved 13 November 2008.
They derive from the partial melting of an enriched OIB mantle source, characterized by a HIMU component, and contaminated by the lower continental crust.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month=and|coauthors=(help) - ^ Lahaul & Spiti
- ^ Manali - Leh Jeep Safari-II
- ^ Suraj Tal
- ^ Darcha Baralacha Pass Trek Lahaul
- ^ Biking tours in Trans Himalayan Shadow