Dhumba Lake lures tourists to Mustang

By Hari Krishna Sharma

Muktinath (Mustang), Jan. 22: Last year, during the month of Magh (mid-January to mid-February), Dhumba Lake, located in Samle village of Gharpajhong Rural Municipality–5 in Mustang, had frozen over. Due to the extreme cold, even tourists entering Mustang found it very difficult to reach the lake. However, this year, up to the third week of January, tourists have been able to reach the lake with ease. 

The lake, which is normally expected to freeze, is now flowing gently with clear blue water, attracting visitors.

As Dhumba Lake has become a preferred destination for tourists, as well as educational and organisational tour groups visiting Mustang, noticeable activity has been seen even in the month of Magh. Ward Chairperson Pradip Thakali stated that more than 150 tourists visit Dhumba Lake daily. 

The lake is located about five km west of Jomsom and can be reached via the Beni–Jomsom road section. Thakali said, “This year the lake is not frozen, and as the cold is not as severe as before, tourists are continuing to arrive.” According to him, domestic and foreign tourists visiting the lake pay an entry fee of between Rs. 30 and Rs. 50.

Situated at the foot of Nilgiri Mountain at an altitude of 2,830 metres above sea level, Dhumba Lake has become a major attraction for tourists travelling to Korala border point in Upper Mustang. 

During the winter season, most visitors return after reaching the famous religious site of Muktinath Temple, stopping to observe the lake along the way. Although up to 500 tourists visit daily during the peak season and numbers usually decline during the monsoon, tourism entrepreneurs are encouraged by the continued activity even in this winter season.

The lake is 10 metres deep, 130 metres wide and 160 metres long. During special worship ceremonies at the monastery where the five precious relics of Buddhist Rimpoche Padmasambhava are enshrined, fish fry are released into the lake, and its water is used for rituals.

Kuchup Terenga Management Committee manages the Dhumba Lake under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). Buddhists regard the water of Dhumba Lake as holy and offer it in bowls placed before Buddha statues. 

Every year, different species of fish are released into the lake, and staff are appointed for cleaning, fish feeding and conservation. 

The local body, provincial government, and the ACAP Office in Jomsom support conservation efforts in the lake area. It takes about 10 minutes to walk around the lake from the entrance gate. Chairperson of Gharpajhong, Mohan Singh Lalchan, stated that the lake links religious and cultural significance with tourism. 

Due to its religious importance, although permission is given to photograph the frozen surface of the lake, entry into the lake area for taking photos and videos has been prohibited in recent times, he said.

The rural municipality, in coordination with Kuchup Terenga Monastery and local residents, has undertaken various activities for the conservation of the lake.