Located in the Mukhem range, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, at an altitude of 8,050 ft, Nachiketa Tal is a small hike near Uttarkashi. Nearby Chaurangi Khal and Harunta Bugyal, this Tal holds more significance than just being a hiking destination. From Uttarkashi, Nachiketa Tal can be reached with a 26 km scenic drive under the canopy of Pine, Oak, and Rhododendron forests.
Nachiketa Tal is approximately 200 meters long and 90 meters wide. During the monsoon season, the size of the tal increases significantly. Like any water body in the Himalayas, this tal also supports the local ecology.1 The nearby forest is home to Kakad (barking deer), Himalayan bears, leopards, foxes, porcupines, Himalayan langurs, and various birds. The tal also houses a large number of fish.2 Peaks like Bandarpunch, Srikanth, and Gangotri peaks. Below are more details about Nachiketa Tal.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Nachiketa Tal is named after the sage Nachiketa. According to Krishnadas Sitaram of Nachiketa Tal, Nachiketa was born in Bagsari, Dhanari Patti, Uttarkashi, to Udalak.
The story goes like this: To receive the blessings of the gods, Udalak organized a yagya where he donated his belongings. Nachiketa noticed his father donating old and lame cows, so he questioned why he was giving away things that were not worth donating. Nachiketa asked many times, but Udalak remained silent. Then Nachiketa asked, “To whom will you offer me?” and Udalak, in frustration, said, “I offer you to Yama.”
Nachiketa was shocked by his father’s words, but being a devoted son, he followed his father’s wish and went to find Yama. Among the three loks, Nachiketa is the only one who went to Yamlok with his body and returned with it.
It’s believed that Nachiketa Tal is the place from where he went to Yamlok via Yam Dawar. There’s a small den-like structure ahead of Nachiketa Tal called Yam Dawar. Upon entering Yamlok, Nachiketa had to wait three days to meet Yama. When Yama finally met Nachiketa, he offered him three boons as compensation for the three days he waited without hospitality.
Nachiketa asked for:
- His father to be at peace and free of anger when he returned.
- Knowledge of the Yagya Vidhi that would help him attain Moksha. Yama granted this and was so pleased with Nachiketa that he named the particular Yagya Vidhi after him: Nachiketa Yagya Vidhi.
- The truth about what happens after death. Yama initially hesitated, saying that even the gods did not know, but after much persistence from Nachiketa, Yama agreed to tell him and bestowed upon him the knowledge of Atma Vidya.
The dialogues between Yama and Nachiketa are mentioned in the Katha Upanishad.
Itinerary
Day 1: Reach Uttarkashi from Dehradun (140 km drive, 5-6 hours)
Day 2: Travel from Uttarkashi to Chaurangi; hike to Nachiketa Tal and return to Uttarkashi (26 km drive, 1 hour, 8 km hike)
Day 3: Uttarkashi to Dehradun (140 km drive, 5-6 hours)
You can also customize this itinerary by adding visits to Chaurangi Khal or Harunta Bugyal.
How to Reach
The Nachiketa Tal trek begins in Uttarkashi. To reach Uttarkashi, take the Mussoorie, Suvakholi, and Chinyalisour routes. Spend the night in Uttarkashi, and the next morning, drive 26 km to Chaurangi Khal via Manpur and Sankurna Dhar.
Public Transport: Take a bus from Dehradun to Uttarkashi. Cross the Jhula Pul bridge to reach the other side, where a local taxi stand is located. From there, take a taxi to Chaurangi Khal for around INR 80. The ride takes about an hour. Start early in the morning to return to Uttarkashi on time.
Best Time to Visit
Spring, summer, and monsoon are the best seasons to explore this location. In spring, the entire trail is filled with Rhododendron blooms and the fragrance of other flowers. Locals also hold a fair at Nachiketa Tal on Nag Panchami, where villagers from Chaurangi, Dikholi, Saundi, and other nearby villages visit the tal.
Winter can also be a good time to explore, but make sure there isn’t too much snow on the route, as it can be risky. During winter, avoid hiking in the early mornings and late evenings.
If you’re on your way to Kedarnath from Gangotri during your Char Dham Yatra, consider making a stop at Chaurangi. Visit the Guru Chaurangi Nath temple and hike to Nachiketa Tal.
Nachiketa Tal Trek: What You Should Know
Difficulty: This is an easy trek spanning 8 km to and from Chaurangi. Kids and families can easily consider this trek on weekends or during the Char Dham Yatra. Schools and colleges can consider this location for Outdoor Experiential Learning Programs, as nearby places like Chaurangi and Harunta offer excellent learning grounds for outdoor activities and wilderness exploration. Be sure to carry enough water and snacks.
Note: Follow the Leave No Trace principles and watch out for leeches during the monsoon season.
Permit: Nachiketa Tal permits can be obtained from SWS Uttarkashi or the forest checkpoint in Chaurangi.
Nearby Places to Visit
- Harunta Bugyal
- Chaurangi Khal
- Naagni Devi Temple Hike
- Sem Mukhem
- Dayara Bugyal
- Kush Kalyan Trek
Sources
- https://medcraveonline.com/BIJ/BIJ-02-00052.pdf ↩︎
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321333218_WATER_QUALITY_STATUS_OF_HIGH_ALTITUDE_LAKE_NACHIKETA_TAL_GARHWAL_HIMALAYA_UTTARAKHAND_INDIA ↩︎
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