The Sacred Lake, Pelling
India, West Bengal

The sacred lake of Khecheopalri lies close to the town of Pelling and is important to both Hindus and Buddhists. Surrounded by forested hills, it is believed to be a wish-fulfilling lake, and legend has it that its shape is akin to the footprint of the Hindu goddess Tara. It is also fabled that the lake is so sacred that leaves are not allowed to float on it, and birds do indeed remove any leaves from its surface year-round. Prayer flags, prayer wheels and Tibetan inscriptions cover the jetty. There is a local village, holy cave and temple nearby that can also be explored.