Lama Dal is a high-altitude lake situated approximately 45km from Chamba town, Himachal Pradesh, India. It is located at an elevation of about 3,960 m above sea level. It is held sacred to Lord Shiva. Basically, this place is considered to be a part of a holy pilgrimage that is held in July/August as per the Hindu calendar. The nearest lake from this place is Kareri Lake which is situated just 3km southwest. Lama Dal lake is a moderate or advanced trekking destination that is accessible via Ghera-Kareri-Kareri Lake and also through the Mcleodganj-Triund-Bagga trail.
Near the historic Belani/Balaini/Baleni Pass lies a group of major seven lakes and Lama Dal is one among them. The original name of this lake is Lamba Dal but the localities pronounce it as Lama and thus, the lake is now called Lama Dal.
The lake is religiously very popular as it has a small but beautiful Shiva temple on its bank. Pilgrims find this lake very sacred, so, they come here to take a bath in the month of August and September. The devotees worship Lord Shiva in the temple and seek His blessings. Apart from these months, the place seems a little isolated but really peaceful.
You might see shepherds belonging to the Gaddi tribe as they come here and graze their goats & sheep. Lama Dal is the origin of the Lama Dal stream, which flows westward to form three more lakes. The water of both the lake and the stream is transparent & crystalline. The reason behind this crystal clear water is that the mountain in this stretch is largely made up of granite.
Lam Dal is in the Chamba district at an elevation of 3900 meters. This lake is the largest and the deepest in the area with a circumference of about 2.5 Km. Held sacred to Lord Shiva, this lake lies amidst bare rock. ‘Lama Dal’ means a long lake.
It is part of a holy pilgrimage that is held in July/August based on the Hindu calendar. Kareri Lake has situated just 3 km (air distance) southwest. This lake is a moderate/advanced trekking destination accessible via Ghera (road accessible)
The maintenance of this lake is kept under the surveillance of the Tourism department of Himachal Pradesh.