Sirmauri Tal

Sirmauri Tal is a historic natural lake located near Rajban, about 12-15 km from Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh. It marks the site of the former capital of the princely state of Sirmaur, believed to have been abandoned after a flood in the 11th-12th century. Today it is a shallow, seasonal lake surrounded by forested terrain and agricultural fields, noted for its historical association and quiet natural setting.

Visitors can expect a quiet, shallow seasonal lake surrounded by open fields and low forested hills near Rajban. The site is largely undeveloped with no major structures, offering views of the lake bed which holds water seasonally and dry marshy ground in other months. There are no formal promenades or boating facilities. The visit is primarily for sightseeing, photography, nature walks and observing the historic landscape associated with the old Sirmaur capital.

Sirmauri Tal is traditionally identified as the original capital of the Sirmaur princely state. According to local history, the town located around the lake was destroyed and abandoned following a flood in the 11th-12th century, after which the capital was shifted to Nahan. The lake area is thus regarded as an archaeological and historical site representing the early settlement of the Sirmaur kingdom.

The lake is associated with local folklore and oral traditions regarding the curse and submergence of the old capital. It remains a place of local historical interest and is visited for its heritage value linked to the identity of the Sirmaur region.