Vishansar Lake

Vishansar Lake
Vishansar Lake
	Vishansar Lake Vishansar Lake
Location	Sonmarg, Ganderbal district, Kashmir valley, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Coordinates	34°23′17″N 75°07′08″E / 34.388119°N 75.11875°E
Type	oligotrophic lake
Primary inflows	Krishansar Lake
Primary outflows	Kishanganga River
Max. length	1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
Max. width	0.6 kilometres (0.37 mi)
Surface elevation	3,710 metres (12,170 ft)
Frozen	December to April

The Vishansar Lake also known as Vishan Sar (lit. 'lake of Vishnu') is an alpine, high-elevation oligotrophic lake,^[1] located near Ganderbal town and Sonamarg in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It lies at an elevation of 3,710 metres (12,170 ft). It has a maximum length of 1km and a maximum width of 0.6km.

Etymology and geography

'Vishansar', in Kashmiri, means the 'lake of Vishnu'. This lake holds religious significance for Kashmiri Pandits. It is home to various species of fish,^[2] including the brown trout.^[3] The lake remains frozen during the winter months. In summer, the lake is surrounded by lush alpine meadows where local shepherds graze sheep and goats. The lake is a popular destination for trekkers in the Kashmir Valley. Vishnasar is fed by Krishansar Lake and nearby glaciers. The Lake is the source of Kishanganga River,^[4] which flows northwards up to Badoab, and then westwards through Gurais, along the Line of Control. Gadsar Lake lies approximately 9 kilometers (5.6mi) to the west, crossing Gadsar Pass.

Gallery

References

^ Syed, Samreen (27 March 2025). "6 Stunning Alpine Lakes In Kashmir Perfect For A Summer Trek". The Better India. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
^ "Fishes and Fisheries in high altitude lakes, Vishansar, Gadsar, Gangabal, Krishansar". Fao.org.
^ Petr, T., ed. (1999). Fish and fisheries at higher altitudes : Asia. Rome: FAO. p. 72. ISBN 92-5-104309-4.
^ Majid Hussain (1998). Geography of Jammu and Kashmir. Rajesh Publications, 1998. p. 13–. ISBN 9788185891163. Retrieved 31 July 2012.

[1] Syed, Samreen (27 March 2025). "6 Stunning Alpine Lakes In Kashmir Perfect For A Summer Trek". The Better India. Retrieved 20 May 2025.

[2] "Fishes and Fisheries in high altitude lakes, Vishansar, Gadsar, Gangabal, Krishansar". Fao.org.

[3] Petr, T., ed. (1999). Fish and fisheries at higher altitudes : Asia. Rome: FAO. p. 72. ISBN 92-5-104309-4.

[Kishanganga_River_originates-4] Majid Hussain (1998). Geography of Jammu and Kashmir. Rajesh Publications, 1998. p. 13–. ISBN 9788185891163. Retrieved 31 July 2012.

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v t e Kashmir Valley
Passes	Banihal Pass Zojila Burzil Pass Sinthan top Margan Top
Valleys	Sind Valley Lidder Valley Lolab Valley Betaab Valley Baisaran Valley
Cities	Srinagar Anantnag Baramulla
Towns	Akingam Achabal Pulwama Budgam Ganderbal Shopian Bandipore Kulgam Downtown Nowshera Gurez Pattan Kangan Hazratbal Awantipora Tral Qazigund Kokernag Shangus Bijbehara Doru Pahalgam Pattan Uri Kreeri Boniyar Tangmarg Sopore Rafaiabad Karnah Kupwara Lolab Handwara Langate Charari Sharief Beerwah Chadoora Bagh e Mehtab Sumbal Sonawari Quimoh Pahloo D.H.Pora Soura Buchpora Jawahar Nagar Srinagar Rajbagh Bemina Maisuma Karan Nagar Indira Nagar, Srinagar Hazratbal Lal Chowk Sonwar Bagh Nowhatta Hazratbal Shalimar Bagh, Srinagar Lal Bazar Zukura Munawar Abad Badami Bagh Nowshera, Srinagar Singhpora Magam Kokernag Daksum
Rivers	Jehlum Sind Lidder Kishanganga Veshaw Rambi Ara
Glaciers	Kolhoi Glacier Machoi Glacier
Lakes	Anchar Lake Dal Lake Nigeen Lake Manasbal Lake Wular Lake Vishansar Lake Krishansar Lake Gangabal Lake Gadsar Lake Sheshnag Lake Tarsar Lake Nundkol Lake Satsar Lake Kausar Nag Brari Nambal Khushal Sar Gil Sar Khanpursar
Mountains	Harmukh Kolhoi Peak Machoi Peak Amarnath Peak Sirbal Peak Tatakooti Peak Sunset Peak Mahadev
Hill stations and Mughal gardens	Pahalgam Sonamarg Yusmarg Gulmarg Aharbal Nishat Bagh Shalimar Bagh Chashme Shahi Verinag Kokernag Naseem Bagh Pari Mahal Achabal
Protected areas	Dachigam Hokersar Hirpora Overa-Aru Rajparian Gulmarg
See also	History of Kashmir Kashmir conflict The Valley Of Kashmir (1895 book) Line of Control Jammu–Baramulla line Kashmiri language

v t e Hydrography of Jammu and Kashmir
Rivers	Chenab Doda Dras Jhelum Poonch Lidder Markha Nala Palkhu Kishanganga Ravi Rambi Ara Shingo Sind Suru Tawi Tsarap Veshaw Yapola Zanskar
Lakes	Dal Lake Nigeen Lake Anchar Lake Gadsar Lake Gangabal Lake Krishansar Lake Manasbal Lake Mansar Lake Sheshnag Lake Tulian Lake Vishansar Lake Wular Lake Kausar Nag Satsar Nundkol Brari Nambal Khushal Sar Gil Sar Khanpursar
Glaciers	Kolahoi Glacier Machoi Glacier Shafat Glacier
Dams, barrages	Baglihar Dam Pakal Dul Dam Dul Hasti Dam Dumkhar Dam Kishanganga Dam Nimoo Bazgo Dam Ratle Dam Salal Dam Uri Dam