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Location : 62-km East Of Jammu,
Jammu & Kashmir
Best Time To Visit: April To October
Main Attractions
Situated 62 kms from Jammu, Mansar is a beautiful lake
fringed by forest-covered hills, over
a mile in length by half-a-mile in width. Besides being a
popular excursion destination in Jammu, it is also a holy site,
sharing the legend and sanctity of Lake Mansarovar. Newly weds
consider it auspicious to perform three circumambulations (‘Parikarma’)
around the lake to seek the blessings of Sheshnag, the lord of
serpents, whose shrine is located on its eastern bank. There are
also some ancient temples on the lake’s shores, which are
visited by devotees in large numbers. Mansar is also ideal for
boating for which the Tourism Department provides adequate
facilities. For the convenience of visitors a well lit flagstone
walkway has been laid all around the shores.
A Ruined Palace, Mahor Gadh Ruins, Food & Crafts Festival &
Chhing Festival
The lake is about 4-km in circumference and surrounded by dense
mangrove stands, backed by pine trees on the slopes of the
hills. Like Surinsar the lake is also covered with lotus flowers
in summer.
PLACES TO LOOK AROUND
A Ruined Palace
Beside the lake there is a small ruined palace with colourful
frescoes on the walls and another ancient building is nearby.
Often newly married couples can be seen walking around the edge
of Mansar, as it is considered auspicious for their future well
being.
Mahor Gadh Ruins
The mysterious ruins of Mahor Garh, nobody knows who built them
or why - are reached from Mansar.
CELEBRATIONS AT MANSAR
Every year around Baisakhi, a food and crafts festival is
organized here by the J&K tourism. Towards the end of May each
year there is a major festival at Mansar in which the folk
spirit of the Dogra people is reflected in exuberant singing and
dancing. Later the 'Chhing' festival features wrestling bouts
with wrestlers invited from near and far to display their
prowess. These festivities are repeated in a number of villages
in the area, one after the other.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Road: Regular buses ply from Jammu to reach Mansar Lake. |