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Coordinates: 28°05′N 85°25′E / 28.083°N 85.417°E / 28.083; 85.417
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The Gosaikunda area has been delineated as a religious site. [[Hindu mythology]] attributes Gosaikunda as the abode of the [[Hindu deities]] [[Shiva]] and [[Parvati|Gauri]]. The Hindu scriptures [[Bhagavata Purana]], [[Vishnu Purana]] and the epics [[Ramayana]] and [[Mahabharata]] refer to [[Samudra manthan]], which is directly related to the origin of Gosaikunda. Its waters are considered holy and of particular significance during the Gangadashahara and the [[List of festivals in Nepal#Janai Purnima|Janai Purnima]] festivals when thousands of pilgrims from Nepal and India visit the area.<ref name="nbrb2007"/>
The Gosaikunda area has been delineated as a religious site. [[Hindu mythology]] attributes Gosaikunda as the abode of the [[Hindu deities]] [[Shiva]] and [[Parvati|Gauri]]. The Hindu scriptures [[Bhagavata Purana]], [[Vishnu Purana]] and the epics [[Ramayana]] and [[Mahabharata]] refer to [[Samudra manthan]], which is directly related to the origin of Gosaikunda. Its waters are considered holy and of particular significance during the Gangadashahara and the [[List of festivals in Nepal#Janai Purnima|Janai Purnima]] festivals when thousands of pilgrims from Nepal and India visit the area.<ref name="nbrb2007"/>


According to legend the spring that feeds the pond in the [[Kumbheshwar temple complex]] in Patan is connected to Gosaikunda. Therefore, those who cannot make the long journey to the lake, can visit Kumbeshwar Pokhari instead.<ref name=Raimund1995>Water Conduits in the Kathmandu Valley (2 vols.) by Raimund O.A. Becker-Ritterspach, {{ISBN|9788121506908}}, Published by Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India, 1995</ref> It is also claimed that a stream from this river also reaches [[Budhanilkantha Temple|Budanilkantha temple]].
According to legend the spring that feeds the pond in the [[Kumbheshwar temple complex]] in Patan is connected to Gosaikunda. Therefore, those who cannot make the long journey to the lake, can visit Kumbeshwar Pokhari instead.<ref name=Raimund1995>Water Conduits in the Kathmandu Valley (2 vols.) by Raimund O.A. Becker-Ritterspach, {{ISBN|9788121506908}}, Published by Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India, 1995</ref> It is also claimed that a stream from this river also reaches [[Budhanilkantha Temple|Budanilkantha temple]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sansar |first=Nepali |last2=Bureau |first2=Nepali Sansar |date=2019-01-22 |title=10 Important Facts About Nepal’s Budhanilkantha Temple, Kathmandu |url=https://www.nepalisansar.com/culture/10-important-facts-about-nepals-budhanilkantha-temple/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=Nepali Sansar |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Gosaikunda in popular culture ==
== Gosaikunda in popular culture ==

Revision as of 21:43, 24 July 2022

This article is about lake. For Rural municipality, see Gosaikunda Rural Municipality.
Gosaikunda
Template:Lang-ne, Nepali pronunciation: [ɡosãĩ̯kuɳɖʌ]
Gosaikunda Lake in winter
Location of Gosaikunda in Nepal.
Location of Gosaikunda in Nepal.
Gosaikunda
LocationRasuwa district
Coordinates28°05′N 85°25′E / 28.083°N 85.417°E / 28.083; 85.417
Typealpine, oligotrophic
Primary inflows35 L/s (460 imp gal/min)
Primary outflows60 L/s (790 imp gal/min)
Basin countriesNepal
Surface area13.8 ha (34 acres)
Water volume1,472,000 m3 (52,000,000 cu ft)
Surface elevation4,380 m (14,370 ft)
Map
Official nameGosaikunda and Associated Lakes
Designated23 September 2007
Reference no.1693[1]

Gosaikunda, also spelled Gosainkunda,also called Silu. is an alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake in Nepal's Langtang National Park, located at an elevation of 4,380 m (14,370 ft) in the Rasuwa District with a surface of 13.8 ha (34 acres).[2] Together with associated lakes, the Gosaikunda Lake complex comprises 1,030 ha (2,500 acres) in size and was designated a Ramsar site on 29 September 2007.[3]

The lake melts to form the Trishuli River; it remains frozen for six months in winter October to June. There are 108 lakes in the vicinity. The Lauribina La pass at an elevation of 4,610 m (15,120 ft) is on its outskirts.[4][5]

Religious significance

Shiva Temple at Gosaikunda

The Gosaikunda area has been delineated as a religious site. Hindu mythology attributes Gosaikunda as the abode of the Hindu deities Shiva and Gauri. The Hindu scriptures Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana and the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata refer to Samudra manthan, which is directly related to the origin of Gosaikunda. Its waters are considered holy and of particular significance during the Gangadashahara and the Janai Purnima festivals when thousands of pilgrims from Nepal and India visit the area.[2]

According to legend the spring that feeds the pond in the Kumbheshwar temple complex in Patan is connected to Gosaikunda. Therefore, those who cannot make the long journey to the lake, can visit Kumbeshwar Pokhari instead.[6] It is also claimed that a stream from this river also reaches Budanilkantha temple.[7]

Among the Newars Gosaikunda is known as Silu. As such it is the subject of a song and a 1987 film inspired by that song.[8][9][10]

References

  1. ^ "Gosaikunda and Associated Lakes". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. ^ a b Bhuju, U. R.; Shakya, P. R.; Basnet, T. B. & Shrestha, S. (2007). "Makalu Barun National Park". Nepal Biodiversity Resource Book. Protected Areas, Ramsar Sites, and World Heritage Sites. Kathmandu: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, in cooperation with United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. pp. 55–57. ISBN 978-92-9115-033-5.
  3. ^ Bhandari, B. B. (2009). "Wise use of Wetlands in Nepal". Banko Janakari (Special Issue February): 10–17.
  4. ^ "Gosaikunda: More than just the lake". Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Gosaikunda: A fair mix of adventure and spiritualism". Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  6. ^ Water Conduits in the Kathmandu Valley (2 vols.) by Raimund O.A. Becker-Ritterspach, ISBN 9788121506908, Published by Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India, 1995
  7. ^ Sansar, Nepali; Bureau, Nepali Sansar (2019-01-22). "10 Important Facts About Nepal's Budhanilkantha Temple, Kathmandu". Nepali Sansar. Retrieved 2022-07-24. {{cite web}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ Popular lakes in Nepal, retrieved 23 April 2022
  9. ^ Songs of Nepal: An Anthology of Nevar Folksongs and Hymns by Siegfried Lienhard, Asian Studies at Hawaii, No. 30, Center for Asian and Pacific Studies, University of Hawaii Press, 1984, ISBN 0-8248-0680-8
  10. ^ "Silu - First Newari Movie". Nepali Movies. 12 November 2009. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2022.

Media related to Gosainkunda Lake at Wikimedia Commons

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