Films are a major trigger for our wanderlust. Credit needs to be given to our films for bringing these beautiful locales like Pangong Lake to us.
The PHUNSUKH Wangdo /Rancho of the film “ 3 Idiots “ meeting his lady love on this beautiful strip of land surrounded by azure blue waters on a yellow Bajaj Super in red hot lehenga & helmet and with a killer look in her eyes made the audience reel over the picturesque Pangong TSO lake & Kareena. The 2009 release “3 IDIOTS ” gave us the PANGONG TSO.
Most INDIANS fell in love with 3 things, firstly, the location of Pangong TSO Lake, secondly, education can be fun with friends like Rancho, thirdly, the school of PHUNSUK Wangduo.
Dream Come true!!!!!!!!
This became the dream destination on each one’s bucket list. After doing Leh & Nubra, we are on our way to Pangong. Travel to Pangong via the Changla pass, known to be the third-highest motorable mountain pass, takes around 6 hours. Despite the distance, height, thinning oxygen, conquering the uneven roads crossing many flowing streams, it is indeed surreal to then be face to face with this wonder of nature.
This blue-green diamond with glistening rivulets firmly set amidst the brown ice-capped mountains takes away your breath. You are speechless for a long time for many good reasons.
It was around 4:00 pm when we reached. The lake & sky are throwing a vista of colors that seem to be competing with each other. Clouds are just beginning to form on the faraway mountains. The diamond glistened at its full capacity. The enchanting but eerie landscape makes you just drink in the surroundings.
About the lake…
Pangong Tso means narrow & enchanted, comes from the word “Banggong”. The lake is set amidst the huge Himalayas, of which One-third of the lake is in India rest is in China. 134km long & 5km broad at its broadest point
Line of Control between the two countries passes through the Lake & the Himalayan ranges. Set at a height of 4350 meters, the lake is saline but very interestingly freezes completely in the winters. Being saline does not support any aquatic life & vegetation, but gives favorable weather conditions for many of the migratory birds. Being very near to the LOC activities, like boating or any other activity, is not allowed.
The clarity is unbeaten as you walk on the LAPIS LAZULI (stones formed in blue-green color), the crystal clear water touching your feet.
With many of the photo ops. at every angle, every Inch, on a yellow Bajaj scooter with the red Helmet, feeling like Kareena but with layers of woolens, imagining RANCHO waiting for you, it feels you have achieved your dream.
As the dusk falls, the temperature starts to dip we proceed to our tented abodes for the night. In the pitch darkness, the starlit sky & tiny bulbs of the tents are the only light around.
Staying under the starlit sky…..
The tents are big enough with all facilities required for a stay, stacked with woolens, a heater & hot water, you are made comfortable.
Fun was sitting out on the porch in freezing temperatures with a bonfire & a hot drink and staring at the star-studded sky, you forget the time as the night passes by.
NEW DAY NEW BEGINNING
Dawn at Pangong TSO had a different beauty. It’s calm, peace, serenity & it’s chill is just magical. It holds you in a trance & unfolds many thoughts.
As I stand for the last time before moving ahead I count my many blessings and I realize I had stopped doing that, surrounded by Skyscrapers as high as your vision reaches, Countless vehicles with noise and emission, Gadgets operated by fingertips that entertain you all the time, I had taken for granted the everyday Sunrise & set, star-studded sky with the moon, the crisp air & countless blessings.
Life is beautiful with God’s innumerable blessings which we take for granted & stop appreciating, but the blessings stay with us, so embrace them, be grateful for every moment.
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The starlit sky abducts your heart and soul. Beautiful indeed.
Beautiful place….one of the destinations in my bucket list too…
Amazing & beautiful place. I would like to see this place.. Thank you maam