Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Indian English Template:Infobox lake
Tsomgo Lake, also known as Tsongmo Lake or Changgu Lake, is a glacial lake in Changu in the Gangtok district of the Indian state of Sikkim, some Template:Convert from the capital Gangtok. Located at an elevation of Template:Convert, the lake remains frozen during the winter season. The lake surface reflects different colours with change of seasons and is held in great reverence by the local Sikkimese people. Buddhist monks prognosticated after studying the changing colours of the lake.<ref name="Lake">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Tsomogo">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Sfn
EtymologyEdit
In Sikkimese language the name Tsomgo is made of two words 'Tso' meaning "lake" and 'Mgo' meaning "head" which gives the literal meaning as "source of the lake".Template:Sfn
TopographyEdit
The lake is surrounded by steep mountains which are covered with snow during winter. During summer the snow cover melts and forms the source for the lake.<ref name=Lake/> The lake which remains frozen in winter season, sometimes extending up to May, receives an average annual precipitation of Template:Convert with temperatures recorded in the range of Template:Convert. Template:Sfn
The lake is about Template:Convert away from Gangtok on the Gangtok-Nathula highway.Template:Sfn Further, the road to Nathu La skirts the lake on the north side. The Chinese border crossing is only some Template:Convert east-northeast in a straight line, but some Template:Convert by road.<ref name="deBruyn">Template:Cite book</ref>
FeaturesEdit
The lake is formed in an oval shape and has a surface area of Template:Convert. The maximum length of the lake is Template:Convert and has a maximum width of Template:Convert. The maximum depth reported is Template:Convert while the average depth is Template:Convert. The lake water quality is of moderate turbidity.Template:Sfn
The lake is the venue for the Guru Purnima festival which is also the Raksha Bandhan festival when the faith healers known as Jhakris of Sikkim assemble at the lake area to derive benefits from the healing qualities of the lake waters.<ref name=Lake/>
Alpine forests cover the catchment of the lake.<ref name="O'Neill_2019">Template:Cite journal</ref> After the winter season ends in middle of May, the periphery of lake has scenic blooms of flower species of rhododendrons (the state tree of Sikkim), primulas, blue and yellow poppies, irises and so forth. Also seen in the precincts of the lake are several species of birds including Brahminy ducks. Wildlife seen includes the red panda.<ref name=Tsomogo/>Template:Sfn
Tourist attractions at the lake site include joy rides on decorated yaks and mules where kiosks offer variety of food and drinks.<ref name=Lake/> There is also a small Shiva temple on the bank of the lake.<ref name=Tsomogo/>
Entry permitsEdit
As the lake is located in a restricted area it is essential for all Indians visiting the area to obtain permits. In case of foreign nationals special permit is essential.<ref name=Tsomogo/>
Indian Postal Service released a commemorative stamp on the lake on 6 November 2006.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Border trade marketEdit
The nearby habitation of Changgu was declared a border trade market in 2003.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>Template:OSM Location map
GalleryEdit
- Changu Lake, Gangtok.jpg
Tsongmo Lake, January 2014
- Tsomgo Lake.jpg
Tsomgo Lake
- Chsungo.jpg
Tsongmo Lake in Winter
- Source of the Lakes "Sikkim".jpg
Tsomgo Lake in April 2017
- Tsomgo Lake in October.jpg
Tsomgo Lake in October
- Tsomgo Lake in April 2019.jpg
Tsomgo Lake in April 2019
See alsoEdit
Tourist AttractionEdit
It is one of the biggest tourism draws in the Eastern Himalayan state of Sikkim receiving around 300,000 (3 lakh) tourists annually. The best time to visit the lake is January to March.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ReferencesEdit
Template:Reflist Tsomgo Lake travel guide - Permit Regulations Climate Temperature