Explore Surinsar Lake In Jammu And Kashmir: A Sacred Paradise

Located just 42 km from Jammu, the “City of Temples”, Surinsar Lake is a breathtaking freshwater lake surrounded by pine forests, mangroves, and hills. This natural wonder carries centuries of fascinating history and religious significance. What makes Surinsar special is its connection to its twin lake, Mansar, which is located just 9 km away. These two lakes share not just a location but also an ancient mythological story that makes them sacred to pilgrims and fascinating to tourists alike. Surinsar-Mansar Lakes are also known as important Ramsar Sites. 

Surinsar Lake History

According to local legend, this lake is connected to the Pandavas, the five brothers from the Mahabharata story during their time in exile. The story says that Babhruvahana once ruled this area. He was the son of one of the Pandava brothers named Arjuna and a princess called Alpi, who was the daughter of the Nag King.

After the great war of Mahabharata, Arjuna performed a special ceremony called “Ashwamegh Yagya” to prove his power over the land. In this ceremony, a horse was set free to roam, and wherever it went would be considered Arjuna’s territory. However, when the horse reached a village called “Khoon” near Ramkote on Dhar road in Udhampur, Babhruvahana (Arjuna’s own son) caught it. When Arjuna came and asked his son to release the horse, they ended up fighting each other. Surprisingly, Babhruvahana defeated his father Arjuna in this battle, even though Arjuna was one of the greatest warriors of the Mahabharata.

Arjuna fell unconscious. Knowing this, Babhruvahana’s mother rushed to the scene and told him he had just fought his own father. Feeling sorry, Babhruvahana learned that to save his father’s life, he needed to get a special gem from a powerful snake king called Sheshnag. To reach Sheshnag, Babhruvahana made a tunnel using his arrow. This place was named “Surangsar” (which later became “Surinsar”)

After fighting and defeating Sheshnag, Babhruvahana got the magical gem and came out through the other end of the tunnel. This exit point was named “Manisar” (now called “Mansar”) 

This is how Surinsar Lake was created, and it has been an important and special place for people to visit ever since the time of the Mahabharata.

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Best Things To Do Near Surinsar Lake

• Experience Perfect Family Excursions: Surinsar Lake is an ideal destination for family outings, offering serene lake views surrounded by lush greenery. The calm environment makes it perfect for quality family time.
• Admire Stunning Lotus Garden: One of the best tourist activities near Surinsar Lake is enjoying the stunning views of the water-based Lotus Garden. During the Summer season, countless lotus flowers cover the lake’s surface. It makes a perfect spot for photography. 
• Explore The Wildlife Sanctuary: Located between Surinsar and Mansar lakes, the Surinsar-Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary is a must-visit attraction for nature lovers. Experience the diverse wildlife and natural beauty of the region.
• Discover The Sacred Temple: Visit the holy Sheshnag Temple on the Eastern coast. Learn about its religious significance and take in the spiritual atmosphere. 
• Feed The Lake’s Inhabitants: Interact with various species of fish, especially the common carp and you can also feed the numerous turtles.

Best Time To Visit Surinsar Lake

The best time to visit Surinsar Lake is from April to October. During these months the weather is pleasant and ideal for Surinsar Lake sightseeing and exploring other nearby attractions.

Guide To Surinsar Lake: How To Reach Surinsar Lake

By Flight

• The closest airport is Jammu Airport. You can catch regular flights from major cities like Delhi, Srinagar, Chandigarh, and Leh to Jammu.

By Train 

• Jammu Tawi railway station is the closest station. Trains run regularly from all major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Trivandrum.

By Road

• Jammu is easily reachable by bus or taxi from many Indian cities. You will find regular tourist buses connecting Jammu with places like Delhi, Manali, Amritsar, Shimla, and Ludhiana. Once you’re in Jammu city, you can take local buses that go directly to Surinsar Lake.

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Surinsar Lake Timings

Monday to Sunday: 7 AM to 5 PM 

Surinsar Lake Entry Fee

There is no entry fee to visit Surinsar Lake. 

Surinsar Lake: Interesting Facts

• The twin lakes are believed to be 12,000 years old.
• Their actual depth remains a mystery.
• The lake’s water is considered holy with spiritual significance.

Best Places To Visit Near Surinsar Lake

The guide to Surinsar Lake recommends the top places to visit near Surinsar Lake. 

1. Shree Ranbireshwar Temple

The temple follows a traditional Indian style called Nagara architecture and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The most impressive thing about this temple is its huge Shiva lingam. Made of black marble, it stands 8 feet tall in the temple’s main prayer room and is known to be the biggest one in all of North India.

2. Maha Maya Temple

3. Mansar Lake

The lake is quite large; about a mile long and half a mile wide. It’s surrounded by beautiful scenery like thick forests, small parks, temples, and gentle hills. In 2005, both Mansar and its twin lake Surinsar were recognised as important Ramsar Convention. 

4. Raghunath Temple

The Raghunath Temple is one of the most famous and holy temples in Jammu & Kashmir. It’s built to honour Lord Rama, believed to be one of the forms of Lord Vishnu. What makes this temple special is its unique design, which combines both Mughal and Sikh styles of architecture. 

It is a group of seven temples, each with tall, pointed towers called shikaras. When you enter, you will see two important portraits: one of Maharaja Ranbir Singh and another of Lord Hanuman.

5. Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary

6. Bahu Fort

Bahu Fort is the oldest fort in Jammu, with a history of 3000 years. It was first built by Raja Bahulochan, who was the brother of Jambu Lochan. Over time, many rulers worked on this fort. In 1585, a ruler named Autar Dev rebuilt it. The fort we see today was mainly built by Maharaja Gulab Singh. This fort tells the story of different rulers who each added their own touch to make it better and stronger.