Prashar Lake- relaxed trek in Mandi

Prashar lake is a probably the easiest way to get personal with the Himalayas. The trek is easy with a few sections of steep ascent through a serene forest.  The lake itself, sitting at the bottom of a bowl, is small and blissful. In January and early February part of the forest trail and the top, including the lake are delightfully snowy. We went in the final week of February and met only snow patches but that didn’t steal anything from the serenity of the place.

Time: Feb 2017

Day 1: Arrival at Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Cab from Mandi bus stand to Baggi* village took an hour or so. Trek from Baggi village to Prashar Lake. Approx 8 kms of fairly easy trail with a few steep sections.

Day 2: Trek from Prashar to Baggi. Bus from Baggi to Mandi.

*Beware of Baggi: Well there is Baggi and there is Baggi. Both have same English spelling. In reality they are 70 kms apart. The quirk is in the pronunciation. The trek for Prashar starts from Baagi written as Baggi. There is another place Baggi, pronounced as it is spelled in English. This is before Mandi and it isn’t the spot you want to go if you want to head out to Prashar.  Mention Baggi to bus conductors and they will in all friendliness drop you at Ner Chowk where from it is easy to reach the wrong Baggi. Sleep saved us from this outcome. But we met people who have been to Baggi and then realized their mistake.

Bus route to Prashar: There is a Himachal Roadways bus that departs at 8AM from Mandi bus stand and reaches Prashar Lake (via Baggi) at 11:30AM. The same bus starts its return journey from the lake at 1:30PM. At the top we met a lot of visitors who had driven to the top. The lake is a short walk from the road. Local folks informed that on weekdays private buses ply on the Baggi-Mandi route.

Guide for Prashar: We didn’t take any guide services. Helpful local people showed us the way, up to the spot where we had to enter the forest. After that we followed the trail to the lake by ourselves. However, guide services are available. The trek route leaves the road right ahead of Thakur Dhaba (hard to miss). Therefore, if you want a guide, finalize before you head that much out of the village.

Stay at Prashar: We stayed at the Rishi Prashar Mandir complex right beside the lake. Jeevan-ji, the priest at the mandir provided us a spacious room. It was up a flight of stairs and had a bright window with glass panes. At night after the other senses quietened, the room seemed redolent with the faint smell of wood resins. We were also provided blankets and bags. In the morning while we offered our token of appreciation, the priest gave us money back asking for only a much smaller amount as rent for the blankets and stuff. Coming from Delhi we were shocked. Doesn’t such people make this God’s own abode?

On our way back we lost our way and wandered into the forest. We didn’t pay attention till we realized that the undergrowth had become thick, the trees had gotten denser and the ground was covered with untrodden leaves. So we relaxed at a small magical clearing among big trees and early rhododendron blooms. The whole forest was alive with chirps, trills and myriad little sounds. We traced our way back but the experience does prove that it is not difficult to get lost in the forest trail and a guide may be useful.

Be warned that Saturday night seems to be busy at this spot. We can testify to that. So space at the Mandir complex may get completely occupied if you reach late. The caretaker at the Forest Guest house and the PWD guest house will happily help you out in that case. If you are carrying tents, there are lovely spots in the upper clearing area to pitch and enjoy mountain views.