Namaste Hivers!
Today I’m excited to share my bike packing experience to the beautiful and serene Prashar Lake.
About Prashar Lake:
Prashar Lake is a beautiful high-altitude lake located in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, the lake holds religious significance and is named after Rishi (Sage) Prashar who is believed to have meditated here. The lake is famous for a round floating island that shifts position from time to time.
My Experience:
Now, let’s talk about my journey. To be honest, this trip truly tested me both mentally and physically. A day before leaving for Prashar, I decided to get my bicycle serviced. While heading to the mechanic, out of nowhere, my brakes completely failed. I was descending a slope when it happened, and the fear was overwhelming. The thought of crashing into the sand pit crossed my mind, but instead, I decided to use my feet to stop the bike. Thankfully, it worked, but not before my life flashed before my eyes. After stopping, I walked about 5 kilometers to the mechanic. The bike was fixed, but the fear lingered. However, I couldn’t let that hold me back.
I packed my gear and set my alarm for 4:30 a.m., ready to leave in the early hours. I hit the road with two apples tucked in my jersey’s back pocket and began my journey. After about an hour and a half of riding, the sun started to rise, lifting my spirits as well. I took my first stop after two hours of riding—though I wasn’t tired, I was quite hungry, so I enjoyed my first apple.
I reached Katindhi, a small village, and from there to Kamandh, the ride was mostly downhill (a section I didn’t enjoy, given my recent brake scare). After Kamandh, I anticipated a grueling climb, but to my surprise, it wasn’t too exhausting. The valley was cold, and the sun hadn’t risen yet, but the scenic views kept me going.
Soon, I reached Kataula, where I stopped for a proper meal—delicious aloo parathas and tea. This gave me a much-needed energy boost, though I could feel some laziness creeping in. As I continued, the roads became more lively, with people curious about where I was headed, which helped keep my spirits up.
After reaching Baagi, I saw the devastation caused by the 2023 monsoons, with much of the valley destroyed by torrential rains, a stark reminder of nature’s power. The climb after Baagi was manageable until I hit Kandhalu, where things got tough. The 15-18 km stretch that followed was exhausting, with steep climbs. People in cars and on bikes honked and cheered me on, which was much-needed encouragement.
At some points, I had to get off my bike and walk it due to the weight of my gear and the steepness of the climb. When I reached Til, I was completely famished. I stopped at the only open dhaba, hoping for rajma and rice, but settled for Maggi and tea. I was so tired that I dozed off while waiting for my food.
After refueling, I felt sluggish, but I kept moving forward. At one point, I became hungry again—unlike anything I’d experienced before—so I devoured the second apple without even washing it, as my water bottle was empty. A brief conversation with a passerby, who admired my efforts, gave me a second wind, and after a couple of grueling hours, I finally reached my destination.
My arrival at Prashar Lake attracted a lot of attention. People were curious and even a bit awestruck that I had cycled all the way from Mandi. It was both embarrassing and gratifying. I checked into the PWD guest house, where the chowkidar was extremely friendly and surprised to hear about my journey.
After a much-needed nap, I had a magical lunch—probably the best meal I’ve had, better than anything at fancy restaurants. Later, I visited the lake, and the moment I stepped into the temple’s premises, I felt an overwhelming sense of positivity and peace. After some time meditating, I met the priest, who initially mistook me for a foreigner. When I shared my story, others gathered around, making me feel like a celebrity for a few minutes.
That evening, I enjoyed an unforgettable dinner of mutton and rice, prepared by the chowkidar, who, in my opinion, deserves to be a chef! I spent the rest of the evening chatting with fellow travelers before calling it a day.
The Next Day:
I woke up at 7 a.m. to freezing weather and planned to catch the morning sun, but the cold kept me in bed a little longer. After gathering the courage to get up and bathe, I headed back to the lake for prayers. Around 11 a.m., I began my journey home, filled with positivity and a sense of accomplishment. On the way, I had the rare sight of wild boars crossing the road—an unexpected thrill to cap off the trip.
All in all, it was an incredible experience. This journey pushed me to my limits and taught me a lot about perseverance, patience, and the rewards of adventure.
All these pictures were clicked by me using my iphone13