Nachiketa Tal
Nestled deep inside the Himalayan forests of Garhwal is an extremely holy, placid and scenic lake known as Nachiketa Tal. The lake is named after the young lad Nachiketa, the famous hero of Kathopanishad.
As the story goes, the barely 9 year old Nachiketa goes to the home of Yamaraj - the Lord of Death in search of the Supreme Knowledge. Yamaraj tests the boy thoroughly by offering him all the highest sense pleasures and the capacity to enjoy them for as long a time as Nachiketa wishes. The glorious boy-sage coolly rejects all these offers and firmly tells Yamaraj that he won't have anything less than the Highest Wisdom - the mystery behind Life and Death, and the Knowledge of Atman. The greatly pleased Yamaraj having met a fit disciple, then instructs Nachiketa in Brahma Vidya.
Nachiketa Tal is the place from where Nachiketa made his way to Yamaloka (the home of Yamaraj). One gets transported to another realm thinking about Kathopanishad in this out-of-the-world lake. This lake is located on top of a mountain. Devotees worshipfully perform Pradakshina of the lake. Here are some pictures of the lake during Pradakshina.
A very tough Babaji has made this lake his home. He has been living in this thickly forested place for several years now. There is a small hut next to the lake where he resides. For many years he lived alone in these forests before devotees built this hut for him. Once in a while some Sadhus or devotees come and stay with him.
Nachiketa Tal is surrounded by thick Himalayan forests. The pristine surroundings are ideal for deep contemplation on the Ultimate Reality. These are home to several wild animals.
As the story goes, the barely 9 year old Nachiketa goes to the home of Yamaraj - the Lord of Death in search of the Supreme Knowledge. Yamaraj tests the boy thoroughly by offering him all the highest sense pleasures and the capacity to enjoy them for as long a time as Nachiketa wishes. The glorious boy-sage coolly rejects all these offers and firmly tells Yamaraj that he won't have anything less than the Highest Wisdom - the mystery behind Life and Death, and the Knowledge of Atman. The greatly pleased Yamaraj having met a fit disciple, then instructs Nachiketa in Brahma Vidya.
Nachiketa Tal is the place from where Nachiketa made his way to Yamaloka (the home of Yamaraj). One gets transported to another realm thinking about Kathopanishad in this out-of-the-world lake. This lake is located on top of a mountain. Devotees worshipfully perform Pradakshina of the lake. Here are some pictures of the lake during Pradakshina.
A very tough Babaji has made this lake his home. He has been living in this thickly forested place for several years now. There is a small hut next to the lake where he resides. For many years he lived alone in these forests before devotees built this hut for him. Once in a while some Sadhus or devotees come and stay with him.
Before coming to this place, the Babaji had lived for several years in Tapovan, located in Gangotri glacier where temperatures can dip to -30°C. He even talks of the times when he used to freely visit Hinglaj Mata temple which is an important Shakti Peeth located in Pakistan! Those must be the pre-independence times. This Babaji is as mystical as this place!
Nachiketa Tal is surrounded by thick Himalayan forests. The pristine surroundings are ideal for deep contemplation on the Ultimate Reality. These are home to several wild animals.
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