Dhumba Lake – A Hidden Jewel at the Foot of Nilgiri

Dhumba Lake – A Hidden Jewel at the Foot of Nilgiri
At the base of Mount Nilgiri, in Samle of Gharpajhong Rural Municipality, lies the peaceful Dhumba Lake, a place that has quietly become one of Mustang’s rising attractions. Perched at 2,830 meters above sea level, this deep-blue lake feels both sacred and serene, drawing travelers from Nepal and beyond. Getting here has become easier in recent years. Just three kilometers from the Jomsom Korala National Highway, the road now winds smoothly up to the lake thanks to the upgrade of the Gharpajhong Ring Road by Gandaki Province. Many visitors heading to Muktinath or returning from Korala in Upper Mustang pause here, adding Dhumba Lake to their journey. As I reached the lake, I could see why it is often called Paan Butte Lake. When seen from above, its outline looks like a heart or a betel leaf a natural symbol of love tucked quietly into the mountains. Spread across 130 meters, its waters glowed with a deep shade of blue, reflecting the forests above and the snowy shoulders of Nilgiri in the distance. The view was framed beautifully by Dhaulagiri and the rolling hills of Mustang, creating a picture that felt almost dreamlike.
The lake itself holds a deep cultural and spiritual story. Locals say it is fed by natural springs flowing down from Nilgiri, and nearby stands the Chhuks Terenga Monastery. This monastery has a long history tied to the lake. Centuries ago, Lama Urgen Palsang from Thini returned from Tibet carrying five relics of Guru Padmasambhava. His guru had told him to place them in a location with special signs: a mountain shaped like an elephant’s trunk, smaller peaks on either side, the Kali Gandaki River below, and a lake to the north. That sacred description matched Dhumba Lake perfectly, and so the relics were placed here, making the site holy for the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. Even today, during important rituals, the monastery offers water from the lake as part of the blessings. Walking around, I noticed a large white rock on the northern side of the water. Locals believe it to be the shrine of the serpent deity, Nagdevata, the guardian spirit of the lake. Fishing is strictly forbidden here, and instead, during rituals, villagers release fish fry into the waters as an
offering. Endangered water birds often gather quietly along the shore, adding to the sense of peace.
The lake is not only about spirituality it is also about community. The Chhuks Terenga Monastery Committee, together with the Jomsom, Thini, and Samle Conservation Committees under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), work to protect and manage the lake. To welcome the growing number of visitors, they have built staircases, railings, rest spots, hot rooms, and signboards. These small touches make exploring easier while still preserving the lake’s natural calm.

During peak seasons, the lake comes alive with travelers. Locals like Sunny Thakali, who runs a small restaurant nearby, say the number of visitors often reaches 200 to 500 a day during festivals such as Dashain and Tihar or on special new moon days. On regular days, around 40 to 50 guests arrive, many stopping to sip tea while admiring the reflection of Nilgiri on the water. Nearby, other treasures of Mustang add more charm to the day. The apple orchards of Marpha and Syang, the dryland farms of Thini and Samle, and the old villages scattered along the Kali Gandaki make perfect side trips. From Dhumba Lake, you can also spot trails leading to
Jomsom, Chhuks Terenga Monastery, and the surrounding hills. For me, standing at the shore of this lake was more than sightseeing. It was an experience of silence, beauty, and faith woven together. A visitor from Kathmandu, Soni Awaal, said it best when she shared: “Most lakes I’ve seen are crowded and noisy, but here I felt like I had stepped into another world.” By the time I left, the setting sun painted the water golden, and the wind carried the sound of prayer flags fluttering near the monastery. Dhumba Lake may not be vast, but it holds the heart of Mustang natural beauty, spiritual depth, and the warm welcome of its people all in one unforgettable day.