Back to life: Dal Lake of Dharamsala refilled, ready for holy dip

There is good news for devotees and nature lovers of Dharamsala: the historic Dal Lake, which had gone dry due to leakage, has now been repaired and restored. Local residents expressed joy at seeing water return to the lake, calling it a revival of their cultural identity.

“Our memories are associated with it. People are happy that Dal Lake has been restored to what it once was — a calm, beautiful and lively lake,” said Prem Sagar, social activist and native of the region.

The lake restoration involved debris removal and the construction of a protection wall to plug possible leakages. Dharamsala BDO Abhineet Katyayan, who oversaw the work, informed The Tribune that the lake was first desilted at a cost of Rs 15 lakh, followed by an additional Rs 10 lakh for the retaining wall. The water has been stored in time for the holy dip on Radha Ashtami (August 31).

A key attraction in Dharamsala’s tourist circuit, Dal Lake is not only surrounded by dense forests of majestic deodars but also carries deep religious significance. A sacred dip here is considered equivalent to the ritual ‘Nahaun’ at Manimahesh.

The annual Dal Fair is scheduled to begin on Radha Ashtami, commemorating the month of Bhadon and dedicated to Lord Shiva, locally revered as Dhruveshwar Mahadev. According to local belief, the lake’s leakage began after excavation work disturbed the grass-covered lake floor (Dhruv) a few years ago.

Ahead of an orange alert issued by the Meteorological Department, the Kangra administration has urged devotees to exercise caution during the upcoming fair, given the possibility of inclement weather.