Juda ka talab, kedarkantha, Uttarakhand

Juda ka talab

Juda Ka Talab is a high altitude lake which is a must visit for trekkers on Kedarkantha trek in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Situated at an altitude of 2,700 meters above sea level, this lake is a mesmerizing place that offers a natural Himalayan landscape. It also serves as a camping ground for trekkers attempting the Kedarkantha peak (3,800 m).

Juda ka talab in kedarkantha trek :-

Juda-ka-Talab is the first camping site of Kedarkantha trek after Sankri.

In winter the lake freezes completely. It is believed that lord shiva once untied the locks of his hair a little. Water fell from the hair and this lake was formed.

History and mythology of Juda ka talab :-

The stories revolve around Lord Shiva and what he did when he came to Kedarkantha. A local story of this lake is that Lord Shiva came here to meditate. He wanted water, and he took a strand of hair from his bun (parted) and threw it on the ground, forming a water body.

The local people also claim that long ago, there were two water bodies and they later added (Juda) to form the present one.

According to another legend, a shepherd was grazing his goats near the lake. Shepherd sat on a mound in the lake and played his flute, which fell into the water. He tried to find but could not. Giving up, he took his goats and went to a village, where he had food at a woman’s house. He found his flute on a table inside the house. When he asked her how she came from the flute, she told that she was collecting water from a nearby stream and got it.

It is believed that several streams flow from the bottom of the lake which flow downstream. Hence, the name Juda, which means the connection between the lake and the rivers.

Why is famous juda ka talab:-

The mountains hide within themselves some beautiful little lakes or ponds which are located in some mysterious places yet give you the cleanest water to drink.

Salient Features of Juda Ka Talab:-

Juda ka talab is most peaceful place during your trip to Kedarkantha will definitely be camping next to Juda Ka Talab as you will be surrounded by dense trees and hill slopes. Since this lake is situated at an altitude of 2,700 meters, the place offers you some majestic views of the mountains around you. By sleeping under a sparkling night, you will be able to get the clearest and densest sky. You will also be able to identify the dense bands of stars in the Milky Way that are a part of our sky and folklore.

Temperature of juda ka talab:-

The day time is generally sunny and warm, while the temperature in the highest camp at night will be between 0 and -10 °C. Whereas during the post-monsoon season, the days are going to be sunny with the temperature hovering around (12-20°C). But with the onset of October the evenings start to cool down and the nights are relatively cool (-2 to 8 °C). This trek is open throughout the year but the best time to visit Kedarkantha trek is in the months of December to April. The reason is that in the winter months you will see that the whole valley is covered with dazzling white snow and the feet of alpine trees are also half submerged in it.

Best time to visit juda ka talab:-

Although this lake is usually frozen all the time during the winter season, the temperature ranges from -7 degree to 16 degree, this place is covered with greenery in the summer season. The snowy winter season begins in December. Snowfall starts from December till the last week of April. If you decide to go trekking during the winter months, you need to keep in mind that the weather can be harsh. Significantly, apart from heavy snowfall and low temperatures, you will also have to face strong winds and slippery slopes.

Location of juda ka talab :-

How to reach juda ka talab:-
The famous Kedarkantha trek is similar to such mountains and hides within itself a beautiful lake called ‘Juda Ka Talab’, which is situated at an altitude of 12,500 feet and is a majestic peak in the Garhwal Himalayas.

The five-day long Kedarkantha trek starts from the village of Sankri, situated at an altitude of 6,500 feet, about 200 km from Dehradun. The trail traverses the deodar and oak forests of Govind Wildlife Sanctuary with a gorgeous backdrop of snow-capped mountain ranges. The first camp is at or near Judah-ka-Talab (9,000 ft altitude), which is situated in a meadow. The next camp is the base camp of Kedarkantha, which leads to the summit (altitude of 12,500 feet).

Travel tip for juda ka talab:-