Gosaikunda
Nepal
Destination Descriptions:
Gosaikunda, also spelled Gosainkunda, is an alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake in Nepal's Langtang National Park, located at an elevation of 4,380 m (14,370 ft) in the Rasuwa District with a surface area of 13.8 ha (34 acres).[2] Together with associated lakes, the Gosaikunda Lake complex is 1,030 ha (2,500 acres) in size and was designated a Ramsar site on 29 September 2007.[3]
The lake melts to form the Trishuli River; it remains frozen for six months in the winter October to June. There are 108 lakes in the vicinity. The Lauribina La pass at an elevation of 4,610 m (15,120 ft) is on its outskirts.[4][5]
Religious significance
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Shiva Temple at Gosaikunda
The Gosaikunda area has been delineated as a religious site. Hindu mythology attributes Gosaikunda as the abode of the Hindu deities Shiva and Gauri. The Hindu scriptures Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana and the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata refer to Samudra manthan, which is directly related to the origin of Gosaikunda. Its waters are considered holy and significant during the Gangadashahara and the Janai Purnima festivals when thousands of pilgrims from Nepal and India visit the area.[2]
According to legend, the spring that feeds the pond in the Kumbheshwar temple complex in Patan is connected to Gosaikunda. Therefore, those who cannot make the long journey to the lake, visit Kumbeshwar Pokhari instead.[6]
Gosaikunda in popular culture
Among the Newars Gosaikunda is known as Silu. As such it is the subject of a song and a 1987 film inspired by that song.[7][8][9]