Pundrik Rishi Lake

Pundrik Rishi Lake is a sacred wetland located in the upper Sainj Valley of Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, within the Great Himalayan National Park eco-zone. Situated at approximately 2,100 meters near Deori village, it is distinguished by a floating carpet of grass and reeds rather than open water. The site is dedicated to Sage Pundrik Rishi and features a small deodar wood shrine. It serves as a significant religious and ecological landmark accessible via a short forest trek.

Visitors can expect a 30 to 45-minute trek through dense deodar and spruce forest from Deori village to reach the site. The lake appears as a marshy wetland covered entirely by lush green vegetation and reeds, with standing water visible only during wetter months. A small wooden temple dedicated to Sage Pundrik stands nearby. The area is governed by strict local religious customs, requiring silence and prohibiting entry onto the wetland surface. There are no commercial facilities or food stalls at the lake itself.

The lake is historically associated with Sage Pundrik Rishi, who is believed to have blessed the site. Local clans in Northern India claim ancestry from Pundarik, and the site has been revered for generations under traditional devta law.

The site is considered sacred ground governed by local devta law, where violations are treated as religious offences. An annual celebration is held in October to mark Sage Pundrik’s birth anniversary. Strict prohibitions on non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and smoking reflect deep-rooted community beliefs and conservation practices.