Monasteries and shrines · Gurudongmar Lake
Walking the pilgrims' shore
At the lake, join the pilgrims' slow clockwise walk past chortens and prayer flags to the small shrine looked after by Lachen Monastery. A few quiet minutes here mean more than a hurried photograph.
Photo: John Hill · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
For Buddhists in Sikkim, Gurudongmar is one of the most sacred lakes, linked with Guru Padmasambhava, who in tradition blessed it on his return from Tibet. Pilgrims walk clockwise along the shore, spin prayer wheels, hang prayer flags and collect lake water in bottles to take home as a blessing. Visitors of other faiths also come to pray.
Walk slowly and only as far as is comfortable: at this height, even a short stroll leaves you breathless. Pass chortens and mani stones on your right, keep your voice low near the shrine, and do not climb on structures. Offerings belong at the shrine, not thrown into the water.
Since 2001 the shrine building has been in the care of Lachen Monastery, which keeps a lama here. If he is present, a respectful greeting is welcome. Photography of the lake and flags is fine; ask before photographing people at prayer.
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Why is Gurudongmar Lake sacred?
In Buddhist tradition, Guru Padmasambhava visited the lake on his return from Tibet and blessed it, touching one part so that it never froze, giving local people water in winter. The lake is named after him. Visitors of other faiths also revere it.
Can we take lake water from Gurudongmar?
Many pilgrims fill a small bottle as a blessing, and this is generally accepted. Take only a little, approach the water carefully because the shore can be icy, and do not wash, bathe or throw anything into the lake.
Who looks after the Gurudongmar shrine?
Since 6 July 2001 the shrine building at the lake has been in the care of Lachen Monastery, which keeps a lama there as caretaker, following a review by a committee set up by the Government of Sikkim, according to Wikipedia.
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