Gosaikunda
गोसाइँकुण्ड
A sacred alpine lake high in the Langtang Himalaya, believed to have been created by Shiva's trident. Tens of thousands of pilgrims bathe here at Janai Purnima.
Deity
Lord Shiva
Location
Rasuwa
Bagmati
Altitude
≈4,380 m
Main festival
Janai Purnima
Gosaikunda is a glacial lake at about 4,380 m, the holiest of a cluster of 108 high-altitude lakes. Hindu legend holds that Shiva struck the mountain with his trident to quench his thirst after swallowing poison, forming the lake.
At Janai Purnima (Aug), pilgrims trek up to bathe in the icy waters; a rock said to be the reclining Shiva is visible beneath the surface. The route is also a popular trek from Dhunche.
Highlights
Sacred high-altitude lake (≈4,380 m)
Janai Purnima mass pilgrimage (Aug)
Trek through Langtang National Park
Part of a sacred chain of 108 lakes
How to reach
Drive to Dhunche/Sundarijal, then a 1–3 day trek through Langtang National Park.
Best time to visit
Janai Purnima (Aug) for pilgrimage; spring and autumn for trekking.
Gosaikunda, answered
Which deity is worshipped at Gosaikunda?+
Gosaikunda is dedicated to Lord Shiva (a Hindu & Buddhist site) in Langtang National Park, Rasuwa, Rasuwa, Bagmati Province.
How do I reach Gosaikunda?+
Drive to Dhunche/Sundarijal, then a 1–3 day trek through Langtang National Park.
What is the best time to visit Gosaikunda?+
Janai Purnima (Aug) for pilgrimage; spring and autumn for trekking.
What is the main festival at Gosaikunda?+
The main festival at Gosaikunda is Janai Purnima.
Other temples & pilgrimage sites
Sources & data note
Temple histories, deities and festival associations are drawn from the Nepal Tourism Board, temple trusts and the Department of Archaeology. Altitudes and coordinates are approximate. Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and shift each year. Several sites (Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Lumbini) are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List — see the heritage section for the formal listing.