Khecheopalri: The Sikkimese lake that is believed to fulfil wishes
India is a land full of sacred rivers, such as the Ganga or the Yamuna, which are associated with innumerable myths and legends. Although it abounds in lakes too, one doesn’t often hear about a sacred lake. But guess what? Sikkim is home to a holy lake, one that is believed to fulfil wishes. It is known as Khecheopalri Lake and is located in Khecheopalri village, only 34 kilometres northwest of Pelling.
The lake, situated at an altitude of 6561 feet, is mainly revered by the native Lepcha community most of whom are Buddhists. However, some of them are Hindus too. Locals call the Sho Dzo Sho that literally translates to “Oh Lady, Sit Here.” Quite poetic, isn’t it? Another strange fact about the lake is that nothing floats on the lake (which is otherwise quite clear). Experts believe that it’s because animals and birds in the region cherish the water of the lake and pick up anything that is dropped into the lake as soon as it happens. Today, we will focus on why this lake is said to have wish fulfilling qualities. Turns out, there are a number of legends behind it. Let’s go through them.
The legend of Guru Padmasambhava
Perhaps the most popular legend, this one says that Guru Padmasambhava, the ancient Buddhist monk who travelled all the way from Tibet to India with severely wounded feet, landed near the Khecheopalri Lake. Here, several locals nursed him and got him back to his health. Eventually, they discovered that Guru Padmasambhava had special powers and sought his blessings. Padmasambhava was grateful to them for giving him back his life and took them under his preaching. As many as 64 yoginis (amateur monks) were trained under him along the banks of this lake. It was also here where the Guru breathed his last. Legends would have us believe that before his death, he hid all his life’s treasures, including several ancient Buddhist texts and scriptures below the lake. Now, in order to save his disciples from future looters, he blessed the lake to protect them. Since then, locals believe that whatever they ask of the lake, their wish would be granted. Interestingly, the lake is nicknamed Kha Chot Palri, meaning “the heaven of Padmasambhava.”
The lake represents human thorax
Another legend suggests that the Khecheopalri Lake fulfils wishes is that it symbolsies one of the four most important plexuses of the human body, which is the thorax or the voice. Now, as the story goes, along with three other lakes in the region, namely Yuksom that represents the third eye, Tashiding that represents the head and Pemayangtse that represents the heart, Khecheopalri blesses whoever wants their wishes to be fulfilled. However, it is the Khecheopalri lake that is believed to manifest the wish to its entirety.
Abode of Goddess Tara Jetsun Dolma
Sikkimese folklores also have it that this region is the holy abode of Goddess Tara Jetsun Dolma, the protector of the Lepcha community and the surrounding mountains. In fact, it is at her feet that the Khecheopalri lake is located. Now, as the tale goes, once an orphan Lepcha girl named Nenjo Asha Lham was blessed by the goddess and was gifted with a precious gem that would save her from perils forever. Unfortunately, she lost it in the lake water and jumped into it to retrieve the gem. Since then, the gem as well as the girl have blessed the entire lake with healing and wish-fulfilling qualities.
The lake bears the footprints of Hindu God Shiva
Hindus often visit the Khecheopalri Lake as they believe that Lord Shiva meditated in the Dupukney Cave, situated right above the lake. In fact, he also left behind his footprints there and have been fulfilling wishes of everyone who seeks, ever since, runs the myth. People also believe that the shape of the entire lake is that of a foot, that can be observed clearly from the surrounding hills. Maybe, that’s why Shiva is worshipped every year at the lake site on the auspicious day of Naga Panchami.