Mansar Lake

The beautiful Mansar Lake is situated at a distance of 62 kilometers from the city of Jammu and 40 kilometers from the Udhampur city. The bountiful nature abounds near the lake in plenty. The Mansar Lake is surrounded by hills that are rich in forest areas. Circumambulating the lake is believed to bring good fortune to the newly wedded couples. That is why honeymooners often visit the Mansar Lake to take an auspicious stroll around it. The circumference of the Mansar Lake is four kilometers. The area around the lake has been laid with stones by the Tourist Department paving a walkway for the visitors. The department has also arranged for provisions for boating in the lake.

The shrine of the serpent deity, the Sheshnag is situated on the eastern bank of the lake. The snake god has six heads and is flanked by small snakes shaped by iron chains. Umapati Mahadev and Narsimha are the two ancient and religious temples located near the lake.

The Mansar Lake is the venue for the food and crafts festival in the month of April organized by the Tourism Department of Jammu and Kashmir. The lake also hosts the cultural festival of the Dogra people in the month of May. The wrestlers of the region gather in the premises of the lake to participate in the Chhing festival that is held here. The lake makes a frequently visited Jammu and Kashmir popular tourist spot.

There is a wild life Sanctuary housing jungle life like Spotted Deer, Neelgai etc. besides other water birds such as Cranes, Ducks etc. One can also witness the traditional and typical distinct life style of Gujjarand Backarwals wearing ethnic costume, living in open Kullhas around on the hills of Mansar Lake.

This Mansar lake road joins to another important road that directly links Pathankot (Punjab) to Udhampur (Jammu & Kashmir, Jammu Province. Udhampur is a Town of strategic importance, again on National Highway No. 1A. The shortcut road from Mansar or Samba to Udhampur by-pass the Jammu town. Surinsar Lake, a smaller lake that is linked to Mansar, is 24 km (15 mi) from Jammu (via a bypass road).