Tara Kund Lake
Pauri, Uttarakhand · lake
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Tara Kund is a small, pristine high-altitude lake perched at roughly 2,200 metres in the Chariserh (Chaubattakhal) belt of the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. Ringed by dense oak and rhododendron forest and a scatter of terraced fields, the still, tree-shadowed pool sits far from the main tourist circuit, and its appeal lies precisely in that quiet — a mirror of water and sky reached on foot through the woods, with Himalayan ridgelines rising beyond the canopy. The name pairs "Tara" (star, and a name of the Mother Goddess) with "kund" (a sacred pool or water tank), and to the surrounding villages the lake is a place of both natural beauty and living devotion rather than a built-up attraction.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Simple vegetarian dhabas in Pauri bazaar — typically serve Garhwali thali (dal, rice, saag, roti, chai); many hill dhabas are vegetarian by default, but confirm a pure-veg kitchen before ordering.
- ✦GMVN Tourist Rest House kitchens at Pauri and nearby Khirsu — dependable simple vegetarian meals for travellers; request pure-veg satvik fare and confirm availability in advance.
- ✦Village tea and snack stalls near the Chariserh/Chaubattakhal road-head — chai, pakoras, biscuits and basic vegetarian snacks; carry your own packed food as options are sparse.
- ✦Khirsu viewpoint eateries (a short drive from Pauri) — small vegetarian-leaning kitchens serving thali and chai; confirm pure-veg before ordering as this is a mixed hill district.
About
Tara Kund is a small, pristine high-altitude lake perched at roughly 2,200 metres in the Chariserh (Chaubattakhal) belt of the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.
- Ringed by dense oak and rhododendron forest and a scatter of terraced fields, the still, tree-shadowed pool sits far from the main tourist circuit, and its appeal lies precisely in that quiet — a mirror of water and sky reached on foot through the woods, with Himalayan ridgelines rising beyond the canopy.
- The name pairs "Tara" (star, and a name of the Mother Goddess) with "kund" (a sacred pool or water tank), and to the surrounding villages the lake is a place of both natural beauty and living devotion rather than a built-up attraction.
- A small deity shrine stands beside the water, and it is around this lakeside temple that the site's spiritual life is concentrated.
- The lake comes most alive during the Teej festival — the monsoon-season celebration observed with particular devotion by women across the Garhwal hills — when people from nearby villages gather here to worship, sing, and pay homage.
- On festival days the ordinarily solitary clearing fills with local families, offerings, and song; for the rest of the year it reverts to a meditative stillness prized by the occasional trekker, pilgrim, or camper seeking solitude.
- Reaching Tara Kund is part of the experience.
- The lake is not roadside: it is commonly approached as a short two-to-three-hour walk along village trails from the road-head in the Chariserh area, itself a scenic drive of a couple of hours from the ridge-town of Pauri.
- The final stretch is a gentle forest walk on foot paths used by local herders and villagers, and there are no shops, ticket counters, or built facilities at the lake — you carry in what you need and, importantly, carry your litter back out to keep the sacred pool clean.
- The setting rewards slow travel: birdsong, the smell of pine and damp earth, and the mountain light on the water.
- There is no food or drink sold at the lake itself, so plan meals in Pauri or at a village halt before you set out.
- This is a mixed hill district, so vegetarian travellers should choose deliberately: simple hill dhabas and rest-house kitchens here typically serve satvik Garhwali vegetarian fare — dal, rice, seasonal saag, rotis, kadhi, rajma and chai — but always confirm a fully pure-vegetarian kitchen before ordering.
- Pack drinking water, sun protection, and layers, since even in summer the forest shade and altitude keep mornings cool.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Chariserh (Chaubattakhal) development block, forested ridge above the Pauri–Chaubattakhal belt (approximate — reach via village trails from the nearest motor road), Pauri, Uttarakhand, 246163
How to Reach: The lake sits above the Chariserh (Chaubattakhal) belt of Pauri Garhwal, reached on foot. Drive first to Pauri town (about 150 km / 4–5 hours from Rishikesh via the Devprayag road, or from Kotdwar/Lansdowne), then continue by taxi or shared vehicle toward the Chariserh/Chaubattakhal road-head. From the road-head it is a roughly 2–3 hour walk on village forest trails to the lake. There is no direct bus to the lake and no metro anywhere in the district; hire a local taxi and confirm the current trail approach with villagers before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tara Kund lake located?
Tara Kund is a small sacred lake in the Chariserh (Chaubattakhal) belt of Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand, perched at roughly 2,200 metres amid dense forest. It lies off the main tourist circuit and is reached on foot from a road-head a couple of hours' drive from Pauri town.
Is there an entry fee for Tara Kund?
No, there is no entry fee. Tara Kund is an open natural and sacred site with no gate or ticket counter. There are also no shops or facilities at the lake, so carry your own water and food and take all litter back out with you.
How do I reach Tara Kund lake?
Drive first to Pauri (about 150 km and 4–5 hours from Rishikesh), then continue by taxi toward the Chariserh/Chaubattakhal road-head. From there it is roughly a 2–3 hour walk on village forest trails to the lake. There is no direct bus to the lake and no metro in the district, so hire a local taxi and confirm the trail approach with villagers before setting out.
What is special about Tara Kund and the Teej festival?
Tara Kund is a still, pristine forest lake with a small deity shrine on its bank. Its spiritual life peaks during the Teej festival in the monsoon season, when women and families from nearby villages gather at the lakeside to worship, sing and pay homage. The rest of the year it is a quiet, meditative spot favoured by trekkers and pilgrims.
When is the best time to visit Tara Kund?
April to June and September to November offer clear skies and walkable forest trails. Visit during Teej (August) for the vibrant lakeside worship, though monsoon trails can be muddy and slippery. Avoid peak-monsoon downpours and deep winter, and always start the walk with enough daylight to return.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Tara Kund?
No food is sold at the lake, so eat in Pauri or at a village halt beforehand. Simple dhabas in Pauri bazaar and the GMVN rest-house kitchens at Pauri and Khirsu serve Garhwali vegetarian thali — dal, rice, saag, roti and chai. As this is a mixed hill district, confirm a fully pure-vegetarian kitchen before ordering, and carry packed vegetarian food and water for the walk.
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