Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Purest lakes in India are also commonly nourished by glaciers, situated in the demanding mountainous regions of the Himalayas, or conserved for the fact of being naturally isolated and arousing ecologically relevant impact. Some are of deep religious significance, as pilgrims flock to worship their sacred waters, while others are geological marvels that attract both scientists and trekkers. These lakes are the lifeblood of biodiversity and regulate climate in their regions, so their conservation is essential. Visiting these lakes is an exceptional chance to observe nature at its finest.
10 Purest Lakes In India
Purest lakes in India, from the floating wonder to the surreal blue waters, offer not only breathtaking scenery but also essential ecosystems that support rare plants and animals.
1. Pangong Tso
Photo: Neek-Theri / Wikimedia Commons
Famed for its sparkling blue colours that transform with a little sunlight, Pangong Tso is a high-altitude lake that does not drain into any other body of water. Stretching 134 km, it reaches from India to Tibet, with China holding 60% of the territory. Pangong Tso, unlike most freshwater lakes, is saline but it freezes entirely in winter. Separation from civilisation has preserved the lake’s benign character; no industrial or agricultural waters are tainting its purity. It nourishes micro-aquatic life despite harsh conditions, and it is visited by migratory birds such as the bar-headed geese and Brahminy ducks. The Lake became famous after it was featured in Bollywood movies, and tourism increased.
Location: Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir
Altitude: 14,270 ft
Best Time To Visit: May to September
2. Chandratal Lake
Photo: Pawanranta / Wikimedia Commons
Chandratal, the Moon Lake, is one of the top high-altitude Lakes in the Himalayas. Chandratal is glacial-fed and non-saline, with strikingly clear water that reflects the surrounding snow-capped peaks. The lake is also said to have mythological significance, as some legends claim that it was a resting ground for the chariot of the god Indra. Chandratal even freezes up during the winter and in the summer months, it shines out with turquoise colours. The trek here starts from Batal and you get to see breathtaking views of the Himalayan terrain.
Location: Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
Altitude: 14,100 ft
Best Time To Visit: June to September
3. Sasthamcotta Lake
Photo: Arunelectra / Wikimedia Commons
Sasthamcotta Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala and provides drinking water for the Kollam district. It is one of the purest lakes in India, partly due to its natural filtration system, with small freshwater mussels found in the lake that cleanse the water, making it potable without large-scale treatment. This distinctive self-cleaning system enables the water to always be crystal clear despite being a primary water source. It is named after the Sastha Temple nearby, which increases its spiritual significance. It also contains a variety of bird species and aquatic flora, home to a thriving ecosystem.
Location: Kollam, Kerala
Altitude: Near sea level
Best Time To Visit: October to March
4. Loktak Lake
Photo: ch_15march / Wikimedia Commons
The phumdis, floating islands of decomposed plant material, are one of the many wonders of Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. The naturally occurring weed in the lake forms an ecosystem that is truly one of the purest and most ecologically significant lakes in India. Keibul Lamjao National Park, the world’s only floating national park, is located on the lake and protects the endangered Sangai deer. Its self-cleaning filtration system keeps the water clean, as aquatic plants absorb impurities. Traditional fishing communities live off the lake, and traditional practices prevent pollution. But recently, increased pressure from urbanisation and hydroelectric initiatives has threatened its pristine nature.
Location: Manipur
Altitude: 2,521 ft
Best Time To Visit: October to March
5. Gurudongmar Lake
Photo: Schwiki / Wikimedia Commons
One of the highest and purest lakes in India, Gurudongmar Lake is fed by glacial meltwater that creates turquoise lakes whose surfaces are mirrors of the surrounding snow-capped Himalayan mountains. Because of its elevation and low temperatures, even in summer it stays partly frozen. The lake has religious significance to Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists, and according to legend, Guru Padmasambhava blessed part of the lake so it wouldn’t freeze, allowing locals to drink water. Because the lake is in a remote place and special permits are needed, human impact is limited, so its purity is pristine.
Location: North Sikkim
Altitude: 17,800 ft
Best Time To Visit: April to June, September to November
6. Roopkund Lake
Photo: Neha iitb / Wikimedia Commons
Roopkund, also referred to as “Skeleton Lake,” remains frozen for most of the year. The Lake made international headlines when hundreds of ancient human skeletons were discovered at its bottom and the remains of travellers who were killed in a mysterious hailstorm in the 9th century. Although there are no man-made industries or human pollution, the glacial water is super clear. Because of its rugged, remote location, only a few trekkers and researchers go, which helps keep its remote beauty raw. Roopkund can be reached by a strenuous but picturesque trek through Himalayan meadows, snowfields and ridges.
Location: Uttarakhand
Altitude: 16,500 feet
Best Time To Visit: May to October
7. Hemkund Lake
Photo: Amareshwara Sainadh / Wikimedia Commons
Hemkund Lake is a holy glacial lake worshipped by Sikhs and Hindus. It is surrounded by seven snow capped peaks, providing a breathtaking backdrop. The lake stays frozen for half the year, and its remote location means it’s not particularly polluted. Close to the lake lies Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, one of the highest Sikh shrines across the globe. Because access by car is impossible, trekkers and pilgrims take on the arduous journey to the lake by foot, keeping it virtually pristine. It is crystal-clear water, fed by melting glaciers and free of industrial contaminants.
Location: Uttarakhand
Altitude: 15,200 feet
Best Time To Visit: June to September
8. Kareri Lake
Photo: Shorya Pathania / Wikimedia Commons
Kareri Lake is a high-altitude freshwater lake located at the Dhauladhar Range in Himachal Pradesh. Due to its remote location and the Minkiani Glacier from which it is fed, it is one of the least disturbed lakes in the entire country, making it one of the purest lakes in India. The water is so brilliantly clear that in many places the rocky bottom is visible. Getting to Kareri involves a scenic but demanding hike through forests and meadows, which limits mass tourism and pollution. A variety of flora and fauna have thrived in the surrounding pine forests’ woodland and the alpine meadows, which make it an ecological hotspot.
Location: Himachal Pradesh
Altitude: 9,650 ft
Best Time To Visit: May to October
9. Tso Moriri
Photo: Tanay Kibe / Wikimedia Commons
The most pristine and even most remote and one of the purest lakes in India is Tso Moriri in the Changthang region. This beautiful brackish lake is framed by snow-covered peaks and arid mountains, resulting in stunning scenery. The Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve protects the lake, which helps keep it clean. It hosts critically endangered species of birds such as the Black-necked Crane and Bar-headed Geese. Tso Moriri is commercialised to a lesser degree, with strict regulations to prevent pollution due to tourism. The water is pure and there is no human settlement, so there is no contamination. The indigenous nomadic Changpa tribes populating the area around the lake depend on local resources to survive without compromising the lake’s purity.
Location: Ladakh
Altitude: 15,000 feet
Best Time To Visit: May to September
10. Tsomgo Lake
Photo: Indrajit Das / Wikimedia Commons
Near Gangtok is the beautiful Tsomgo Lake, also called Changu Lake, an incredibly sacred glacial lake in Sikkim. This high-altitude lake stays frozen for half the year and changes colour with the seasons and is quite a sight to behold. This glacial meltwater is the purest lake in India as the water gets. The local Buddhist and Hindu communities consider the lake holy, and religious rituals take place on the shores. Its pristine environment is also surrounded by rugged mountains and alpine forests. Yak rides along the lake and nearby trekking lakes are popular with visitors, but conservation efforts seek to limit pollution and protect its fragile ecosystem.
Location: Sikkim
Altitude: 12,313 ft
Best Time To Visit: March to May, October to December
Purest lakes in India have a perfect blend of natural beauty, ecological importance and cultural significance. From the Himalayan wonders of Ladakh and Sikkim to the crystal-clear waters of Himachal and Manipur, these lakes reflect the country’s diverse nature. Be it spirituality, a taste of adventure, or just an appreciation of nature’s pristine beauty, these lakes are worth a visit. So, plan your visit with TripXL and explore the pristine water bodies of India.
Cover Photo: Yoghya / Wikimedia Commons
