Gosaikunda

Gosaikunda, also spelled Gosainkunda, is a lake in Nepal's Langtang National Park, located at an elevation of Template:Cvt in the Rasuwa District with a surface area of Template:Cvt.<ref name="nbrb2007">Template:Cite book</ref> Together with associated lakes, the Gosaikunda Lake complex is Template:Cvt in size and was designated a Ramsar site on 29 September 2007.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

The lake melts to form the Trishuli River; it remains frozen for six months in the winter October to June. There are 108 lakes in the vicinity. The Lauribina La pass at an elevation of Template:Cvt is on its outskirts.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Religious significance

Shiva Temple at Gosaikunda

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, visit Kumbeshwar Pokhari instead.<ref name=Raimund1995>Template:Cite book</ref>

The “Samudra Manthana” or churning of the ocean is said to be the origin of the Gosaikunda lake. When Lord Shiva swallowed poison, he is said to have pierced his “trishul” to the ground to tap water to soothe his stinging throat. The Gosaikunda lake is said to have been created in this manner, and is revered by Hindus.

Gosaikunda in popular culture

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.<ref>Popular lakes in Nepal, retrieved 23 April 2022</ref><ref name="LienhardSiegfried">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, Template:ISBN</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

External links

• The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: The Annotated Ramsar List of Nepal