Manasbal Lake
| Manasbal Lake | |
|---|---|
View of Manasbal Lake | |
| Location | Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Coordinates | 34°15′N 74°40′E / 34.250°N 74.667°E |
| Lake type | Fresh water |
| Catchment area | 33 km2 (13 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | India |
| Max. length | 5 km (3.1 mi) |
| Max. width | 1 km (0.62 mi) |
| Surface area | 2.81 km2 (1.08 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 4.5 m (15 ft) |
| Max. depth | 13 m (43 ft) |
| Water volume | 0.0128 km3 (0.0031 cu mi) |
| Residence time | 1.2 years |
| Shore length1 | 10.2 km (6.3 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 1,583 m (5,194 ft) |
| Settlements | Kondabal |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Manasbal Lake is the deepest freshwater lake found in the Safapora area of Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Nmed after the sacred Manasarovar. The lake is encircled by four villages, viz., Jarokbal, Kondabal, Nesbal (situated on the north-eastern side of the lake), and Gratbal. It's renowned for its lotus blooms (Nelumbo nucifera) at the periphery of the lake (blooms during July and August) adds to the beauty of the clear waters of the lake. The Mughal garden, called the Jaroka Bagh (meaning bay window), built by Nur Jahan, overlooks the lake.
The lake is a good place for birdwatching as it is one of the largest natural spawning grounds of Aquatic birds in Kashmir and has the epithet "supreme gem of all Kashmir Lakes". The rootstocks of the lotus plant, which grows extensively in the lake, are harvested and marketed, and also eaten by the local people.