Khecheopalri Lake, Lake in West Sikkim, India

Khecheopalri Lake lies at 1,700 metres near Khecheopalri village in West Sikkim, 34 km northwest of Pelling. The lake covers 3.79 hectares, reaches a maximum depth of 11.2 metres and drains a 12 square kilometre catchment. Its shoreline is fringed with vegetation and bog; from surrounding hills its outline is said to resemble a footprint.

The lake formed about 3,500 years ago in a depression scooped by glaciers, and its name Kha-Chot-Palri means the heaven of Padmasambhava. A plaque at the entrance records a Lepcha couple seeing conch shells fall from the air before spring water burst from the ground. Sikkim declared it a protected lake by notification 701/Home/2001 dated 20 September 2001.

Local Lepcha people call the lake Sho Dzo Sho, meaning "Oh Lady, Sit Here", and its name Khecheopalri derives from Kheecheo (flying yoginis or Taras) and palri (palace). Devotees identify the lake as the footprint of Goddess Tara Jetsun Dolma and as the abode of Tshomen Gyalmo, chief protective nymph of the Dharma. A plaque at the entrance records the legend of a Lepcha couple who saw conch shells fall from the sky before spring water formed the lake.

The lake lies 34 km northwest of Pelling and 147 km west of Gangtok, reached by road from Pelling followed by a short walk to the shore. The foot-shaped shoreline is bordered by bog and low shrubs, so stay on the marked ground near the water. Rites and rituals are the only permitted use of the water.

The water stays remarkably clear because resident birds immediately remove any leaves that fall onto the surface. This natural cleaning system makes the lake an unusual natural phenomenon.