Suraj Tal, Glacial lake near Bara-lacha-la pass, Himachal Pradesh, India
Suraj Tal is a glacial lake in the Himalayas situated below the Bara-Lacha-La pass at about 4,900 meters elevation. The water originates from glaciers melting in the surrounding mountains.
The water from this lake feeds the Bhaga River, which later joins the Chandra River to form the Chandrabhaga River system. This river network plays an important role in northern India's geography and water supply.
The name means "sun lake" and reflects how local people connect this water body to the worship of the sun in Hindu traditions.
Access to this location is via National Highway 21, which connects Manali to Leh and passes through the area. Travel is safest between May and October when conditions are most favorable.
The water stays near freezing throughout the year, and the surrounding area receives about 15 meters of snowfall annually. These harsh conditions make it one of the coldest and snowiest spots in the region.
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