Lama Dal

About this place

At the altitude of 12,000 feet, thirty miles east of Chamba proper near the historic Balaini pass, lie a group of seven tarns. The last and seventh in series constitutes the main Lama Dal. This tarn is the largest in this group and also throughout the district. It has an approximate circumference of one and half miles. Its depth and water content remains unestimated. For the reason of its being largest it is known as a Lamba Dal (long lake); however, this is pronouced as Lama Dal by the local people. There is small Shiva temple at the lake. The main lake serves the purpose of a sacred place for the surrounding villages.