Surrounded by beautiful mountains and green forests, Rara Lake is the largest and most famous lake in Mugu district of the Karnali region of Nepal. The lake is located at an elevation of 2,972m. After a three-hour walk from the district headquarters Gamgadhi to the west, you can reach Rara Lake. Spread over an area of 10.8 sq km, Rara Lake has a maximum length of 5 km and a maximum width of 3.2 km and a depth of 167 m. The beauty of Rara Lake cannot be explained by one season. This lake is covered with snow during winter and from the end of May to the first week of July, Rara Lake is covered with flowers.
Rara Lake changes colour many times a day. Sometimes blue, sometimes purple, sometimes Cymric, and sometimes Gray. It changes colour four or five times a day, depending on the weather. The shadow of the Shinje and Kanjirowa mountains also get mixed along with the changing colour of this lake. And this lake really looks like a fairy in heaven and attracts tourists. Dr. Ashok Mahaseth, who visited Rara Lake for the first time from Kathmandu, had a similar experience and was attracted by the charm of this lake. Rara Lake is surrounded by peaks likeChuchemara Takura (4,090m) in the south, to the north are Rum Kandh (6,732m) and Malika Kandh (3,445m) in the north. They have deepened the scenic beauty of Rara Lake.
History
Rara Lake is very famous because it has linked history with late King Mahendra. It is said that he visited this lake by walking all the way from Jumla in 2020 B.S. He then explores all the sightseeing of this region. After being captivated by the charm of this lake, he also wrote many poems by dedicating Rara Lake. So, only after his visit, this lake started to get popular worldwide. Then in the year 2032, this area was declared a wetland area by establishing a park (Rara National Park). Similarly, the two villages named Chapra and Rara on the banks of Rara Lake were resettled in Nepalganj at that time.
About three years later of formation of park, Durga BhanjanGulma of the Nepal Army started to take care of the national park. Since this lake is known through King Mahendra, people also know it by the name of Mahendra Lake. It is also said that King Mahendra named this lake as ‘Apsara’ after being captured by its beauty.
- Bird Exploration
Rara Lake is full of migratory birds. Birds from various parts of Europe, Siberia, Tibet, and India are flocking to Lake to cool off, and Rara now has more than 300 species of birds. Of the 49 species of birds that come to Rara, 20 species still enjoy the waters of Rara, while more than 300 species of birds are found only in Rara National Park. With the arrival of foreign birds in Rara, tourist activities have been increasing in this lake. Birds come from different countries of Europe and Asia every year to avoid winter.
- Rara National Park
Rara Lake lies inside the Rara National Park. One of the reasons behind the beauty of this lake is the national park as different flora, fauna, and wildlife found in this park has added more beauty to this lake. Like other Himalayan National Parks of Nepal, there are 51 species of mammals including Himalayan Black Bear, Thar, Habre, Ghoral, Ratuwa deer, Musk Deer, etc. The Park is home to 272 species of birds, including scare crows, monals, coots and different species of mallard, pheasants, common teal etc. Rara Lake and the surrounding forest area under the park has become a suitable habitat for various local and migratory birds. Three species of native Asala fish are found here.