Gosaikunda is marked by a series of often-frozen high altitude lakes. It is the famous pilgrimage site which can be reached crossing high passes and trek for several days through remote countryside. As you approach closer to the lakes you get the views from the Langtang Valley all the way west to Machhapuchre and the Annapurnas.
Gosaikunda Lake is famous as a cooling water source when the Lord Shiva, according to a legend, drank a deadly poison to save humanity. The Lake has a black rock in the middle, believed to be the head of Shiva. According to the legend, Shiva created this high altitude lake when he pierced a glacier with his trident to obtain water to quench his thirst after consuming poison.
There is a white rock under the water which is said to be the remnant of an ancient shrine of Shiva. Each year the lake becomes a major pilgrimage site during Janai Purnima, which occurs around the July-August full moon. It takes about 45 minutes to circumambulate the lake.
The best way to trek to Gosaikunda is to visit Langtang first, then return to Thule Syabru and begin the hike to Gosainkunda. You can trek to Gosainkunda from two directions: combined with a trek to Helambu or Langtang.
It’s also worthwhile visiting the Lantang National Park. The park takes its name from one of the peaks- Langtang Lirung it has on its north border. There are wide ranges of animals like wild dog, red panda, pika, black bear, Himalayan Tahr, ghoral, common langur etc within 25 per cent of the total park area covered by forest.
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