| Vishansar Lake | |
| Location: | Ganderbal, Kashmir valley |
| Type: | oligotrophic lake |
| Pushpin Map: | India Jammu and Kashmir#India |
| Pushpin Map Alt: | Location of Vishansar lake within Jammu and Kashmir |
| Inflow: | Krishansar Lake |
| Outflow: | Kishanganga River |
| Length: | 1km (01miles) |
| Width: | 0.6km (00.4miles) |
| Elevation: | 3710m (12,170feet) |
| Frozen: | December to April |
The Vishansar Lake is an alpine high-elevation oligotrophic lake,[1] situated near Sonamarg[2] in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, India, at an elevation of 3710m (12,170feet). It has a maximum length of 1 km, and maximum width of 0.6 km.
'Vishansar', in Kashmiri, means the lake of Vishnu. This lake holds great importance for Kashmiri Pandits. It is home to many types of fish,[3] among which is the brown trout.[4] It freezes during winter. During the summer season, the lake is surrounded by lush meadows, where local shepherds graze their flocks of sheep and goats. The lake is an attraction for the trekkers in the Kashmir Valley. It is fed by the Krishansar Lake and glaciers. The Vishansar Lake is the source of Kishanganga River,[5] which flows northwards up to Badoab, and then westwards through Gurais, along the Line of Control. The Gadsar Lake lies some 9 km to the west, crossing Gadsar Pass.