If you’re preparing for HPAS, HP Allied Services, HPTET, or other HP government exams, then this topic — Lakes in Himachal Pradesh — is a high-scoring and frequently asked section in static GK.
This article provides a complete and updated list of natural and artificial lakes in Himachal Pradesh, categorized district-wise for easy reference and revision.
📘 Classification of Lakes in Himachal Pradesh
- 🔵 Natural Lakes – Formed by glacial, tectonic, or natural geographic processes.
- 🟠 Man-made Lakes – Formed due to dams/hydropower projects.
📍 District-Wise Lakes in Himachal Pradesh
Mandi
- Macchial lake
- Rewalsar Lake
- Parashar Lake
- Kamrunag Lake
- Pandav sar
- Pandoh lake
- Sukh sar
- Saaf sar
- Kala sar
- Chitta sar
- Neela sar
- Kunt bhyog sar
- Khadla sar
Use the Hindi mnemonic “Maa River Paar Kam Pandav Pandoh Mein” to remember its major lakes:
– Maa → Macchial Lake
– River → Rewalsar Lake
– Paar → Parashar Lake
– Kam → Kamrunag Lake
– Pandav → Pandav Sar
– Pandoh → Pandoh Lake
*(Mein = Mandi)*
Pandav sar includes 7 lakes :
Use the Hindi mnemonic : “Sukha Saaf Kala Chitta Neela Kund Khad” to remember its major lakes:
– Sukh Sar
– Saaf Sar
– Kala Sar
– Chitta Sar
– Neela Sar
– Kunt Bhyog Sar
– Khadla Sar
🔹 Bilaspur
Man-made:
- Gobind Sagar Lake
🔹 Chamba
Natural:
- Manimahesh Lake
- Ghadasaru Lake
- Khajjiar Lake
- Lama Dal Lake
- Mahakali Dal Lake
Man-made: - Chamera Lake
🔹 Kangra
Natural:
- Dal Lake
- Kareri Lake
Man-made: - Pong Dam Lake (Maharana Pratap Sagar)
🔹 Kinnaur
Natural:
- Nako Lake
- Sorang Lake
- Yulakanda Lake
- Kara Lake
- Thorate Lake
- Rakchham Lake
🔹 Kullu
Natural:
- Bhrigu Lake
- Dashar Lake (Shela Sar)
- Sarwalsar Lake
- Mantilai Lake
- Nainsarovar
- Dehnasar / Danasar
- Rani Sui Lake
- Hansa Lake
- Shringtung Lake
- Kulta Saur Lake
- Saur Kundi Lake
🔹 Lahaul and Spiti
Natural:
- Suraj Tal
- Chandra Tal
- Neelkanth Lake
- Deepak Tal
- Yunam So
- Yang Chow
- Mane Lake
🔹 Mandi
Natural:
- Parashar Lake
- Rewalsar Lake
- Kamrunag Lake
- Kumaarwah Lake
- Macchial Lake
- Kalsar
- Sukhsar
- Kunt Bhyog
Man-made: - Pandoh Dam Lake
🔹 Shimla
Natural:
- Chandra Nahan Lake
- Karali Lake
- Bradonsar Lake
- Garh Kuffar
- Tanu Jubbal Lake
- Saru Lake
🔹 Sirmaur
Natural:
- Renuka Lake
- Suketi (Saketi) Lake
📌 Natural Lakes of Himachal Pradesh – Key Highlights by District
📌 Why This Topic is Important?
- ✅ Frequently asked in HPAS Prelims & Mains
- ✅ High weightage in TGT, PGT, HPTET, HPSSC
- ✅ Great for static GK revision
🧠 Pro Tip:
Create a district-wise mind map or flashcards for faster retention. Focus on altitude, location, river source, and Ramsar sites.
❓ FAQs: Lakes in Himachal Pradesh
Q1. Which is the largest natural lake in Himachal Pradesh?
Renuka Lake in Sirmaur is the largest natural lake.
Q2. Which is the highest lake in Himachal Pradesh?
Suraj Tal in Lahaul-Spiti, at 4883 meters altitude.
Q3. How many man-made lakes are in Himachal Pradesh?
There are four major man-made lakes: Gobind Sagar, Pong Dam, Pandoh, and Chamera.
Q4. Which lake is known as “Mini Switzerland”?
Khajjiar Lake in Chamba district, named so by Willy P. Blazer in 1992.
Q5. What are some Ramsar site lakes in Himachal Pradesh?
- Renuka Lake (Sirmaur)
- Chandra Tal (Lahaul-Spiti)
- Pong Dam Lake / Maharana Pratap Sagar (Kangra)