Back Lac Khecheopalri French खेचेयोपलरी झील Hindi ಖೇಚೆಯೊಪಾಲ್ರಿ ಸರೋವರ Kannada खेचिपेरी ताल Nepali ਖੇਚਿਓਪਲਰੀ ਝੀਲ Punjabi கெச்சியோபல்ரி ஏரி Tamil Кечеопалрі Ukrainian
| Khecheopalri Lake | |
|---|---|
 Foot bridge approach to the Khecheolpalri Lake | |
  Khecheopalri Lake Location in Sikkim  Khecheopalri Lake Khecheopalri Lake (India) | |
| Location | Sikkim |
| Coordinates | 27°21′00″N 88°11′19″E / 27.3500°N 88.1886°E |
| Lake type | Sacred |
| Primary inflows | Two perennial and five seasonal stream inlets |
| Primary outflows | One outlet |
| Catchment area | 12 km2 (4.6 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | India |
| Surface area | 3.79 hectares (9.4 acres) |
| Average depth | 7.2 m (24 ft) |
| Max. depth | 11.2 m (37 ft) |
| Water volume | 272,880 cubic metres (9,637,000 cu ft) |
| Surface elevation | 1,700 m (5,600 ft) |
| Islands | None |
| Settlements | Khecheopalri village, Yuksom and Geyzing |
Khecheopalri Lake, originally known as Kha-Chot-Palri (meaning the heaven of Padmasambhava), is a lake located near Khecheopalri village, 147 kilometres (91 mi) west of Gangtok in the West Sikkim district of the Northeastern Indian state of Sikkim.[1]
Located 34 kilometres (21 mi) to the northwest of Pelling town, the lake is sacred for both Buddhists and Hindus, and is believed to be a wish fulfilling lake. The local name for the lake is Sho Dzo Sho, which means "Oh Lady, Sit Here". The popularly known name of the lake, considering its location is Khecheopalri Lake, ensconced in the midst of the Khechoedpaldri hill, which is also considered a sacred hill.[2][3][4][5][6][7]
The lake is an integral part of the much revered valley of "Demazong" meaning valley of rice. This landscape is also known as a land of hidden treasures blessed by Guru Padmasambhava.[2]
The Khecheopalri Lake is also part of Buddhist religious pilgrimage circuit involving the Yuksom, the Dubdi Monastery in Yuksom, Pemayangtse Monastery, the Rabdentse ruins, the Sanga Choeling Monastery, and the Tashiding Monastery.[2][8] An interesting feature of the lake is that leaves are not allowed to float on the lake, which is ensured by the birds which industriously pick them up as soon as they drop into the lake surface.[5][7]
The Khecheopalri Lake and the Khangchendzonga National Park are conserved from the biodiversity perspective with ecotourism and pilgrimage as essential offshoots. [1] As a result, their recreational and sacredness values are enhanced.[9]
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
oneill_khecheopalriwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c Jain, Alka; H. Birkumar Singh; S. C. Rai; E. Sharma (2004). "Folklores of Sacred Khecheopalri Lake in the Sikkim Himalaya of India: A Plea for Conservation". Asian Folklore Studies. 63. Nanzan University. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- ^ "Wetland Inventory" (PDF). Sacred Khechopalri Lake. Envis: National Informatics Centre. p. 369. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
- ^ Silas, Sandeep (2005). Discover India by Rail. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 19. ISBN 81-207-2939-0. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- ^ a b Bindloss, Joe; Sarina Singh (2007). India. Lonely Planet. pp. 585. ISBN 978-1-74104-308-2. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
Yuksom.
- ^ Bradnock, Roma (2004). Footprint India. Footprint Travel Guides. p. 634. ISBN 1-904777-00-7. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- ^ a b "West Sikkim". Sikkim Online. Archived from the original on 25 April 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- ^ Choudhury, Maitreyee (2006). Sikkim: Geographical Perspects. Mittal Publications. pp. 80–81. ISBN 81-8324-158-1. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
- ^ "Our View". Brief Overview of Valuation of Ecotourlsm in the S1kkim Himalaya. Environment Centre on Ecotourism in Sikkim: national Informatics Centre. Archived from the original on 28 July 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2010.