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Further, on the Jammu-Srinagar
road, beyond Surinsar Lake, Mansar Lake is also reached by a regular bus
service from Jammu. According to a legend the legendary hero of the
Mahabharata, Anjuna, is said to have shot an arrow into the ground at
Mansar. The arrow emerged at Surinsar and thus both lakes were created.
The lake is about 4-km in circumference and surrounded by dense mangrove
stands, backed by pine trees on the slopes of the hills. Like Surinsar the
lake is also covered with lotus flowers in summer.
A Ruined Palace
Beside the lake there is a small ruined palace with colourful frescoes on
the walls and another ancient building is nearby. Often newly married
couples can be seen walking around the edge of Mansar, as it is considered
auspicious for their future well being.
Mahor Gadh Ruins
The mysterious ruins of Mahor Garh, nobody knows who built them or why -
are reached from Mansar.
CELEBRATIONS AT MANSAR
Every year around Baisakhi, a food and crafts festival is organised here
by the J&K tourism. Towards the end of May each
year there is a major festival at Mansar in which the folk spirit of the
Dogra people is reflected in exuberant singing and dancing. Later the
'Chhing' festival features wrestling bouts with wrestlers invited from
near and far to display their prowess. These festivities are repeated in a
number of villages in the area, one after the other.
Road: Regular buses ply from Jammu to reach Mansar Lake.
Accommodation is available for tourist in the Bungalow and huts of J&KTDC.;