Shyamla Tal : Beautiful small lake on 1500 meter height

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Shyamla Tal : Lake at 1500 meter in Boom Range of Uttrakhand 
If you ask me which the beautiful hill abode closest to plains in Uttar Pradesh , my answer may surprise you. It is Shyamla Tal in Champawat District of Uttrakhand. 

I have vivid memory of the place. First time I touched Sukhi Daang on way to Pithoragarh in 1982. The distance from nearest plain area Tanakpur is only 29 km. It was one of the most undeveloped place at that time, after steep drive from 100 meter to 1500 meter in a short span of 29 km , you need little pause to relax your hand constantly on your steering. Sadly there was only one small Tea Stall offering tea and unbranded biscuit. But very few travelers knew that there is a beautiful lake on this height. 
I think it was God providence that due to land slide the traffic was blocked for a day. We did not had a choice but to take shelter in Vivekanand Aashram. Swamiji was very kind to accommodate us without any prior information overnight. When we woke-up in the morning we saw sun rays kissing the virgin green color water of  Shyamla lake.
The sky was clear and blue , in the pristine environment , we could easily gaze snow clad peaks of Nandakot and range of other peaks. Walking was simply pleasure as we could also see vast plains of Tanakpur and mighty Sharda River. 

Vivekanand aashram is now more than 100 years old. It was Swami Virajananda, direct monastic disciple of Swami Vivekananda, started this Ashram in the year 1915. Philosophy of Swami Virajananda was Vedanta. Shyamla Tal gradually become retreat for Monks and Devotees.
Shyamla Tal Centre houses ‘Vivekananda Ashram’ and ‘Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama’, a Medical Centre serving the community. The prime activity is rendering service to the poor and suffering humanity. The place has many medicinal herbs and other flora on the hill sides. The Medical Centre happens to be the only source of medical relief in the entire vicinity and it is highly dependent upon by the hill fold. Swamiji  runs a dairy also which takes care of aashram daily nees. Thus this ashram has not confined itself only in spiritual activities.
But there is a complete apathy of state machinery, done hardly anything significant to develop a proper tourist infrastructure and regular cleaning and de-silting and beautification of this small natural lake. 
Looking for peaceful short vacation in serene hilly landscape, Shyamla Tal is for you. The nearest railhead Tanakpur connects you with Lucknow. If you want to come from Delhi than best option is to drive the distance is 340 km.








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