Myths and legends

Gokyo Lakes is a chain of freshwater lakes not far from the eight-thousander Chou-Yu, at an altitude of 4700 - 5000m above sea level. It is believed that this is the highest mountain lake system in the world and, in addition, it is located along the world's largest Ngozumpa glacier. The glacier also starts at Chou-Yu and extends for as many as 36 kilometers. From the glacier river Dudh Kosi ("Milk River") flows.

Gokyo village is located on the shore of the main lake called Dudh Pokhari (Milk Lake). The water in the lake is very beautiful turquoise, which does not really correspond to the name of the lake. The depth of this lake is more than 40 meters. And the deepest of the six lakes Tonak Cho - its depth is more than 60 meters.

Gokyo Lakes are considered sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus. In August, Hindus celebrate the Sacred Thread Festival (Janai Purnima festival) on the lakes. During the holiday, priests tie a thread (Doro) on everyone’s wrist, which will protect a person from misfortune.

According to legend, the Snake God (Naga Devata) lives in the Gokyo lakes. In Hinduism and Buddhism, Naga is a semigod, half man, half cobra. Nagas can looks like both human and serpent. Nagas live underground in the underworld, in palaces richly decorated with precious stones. Snakes are considered treasure keepers. They are dangerous, but they can also give a person various benefits. The most important snake in Hindu mythology is Shesha floating in the cosmic ocean. Vishnu slept on it before the creation of the world.

Nagas can control the weather and locals often ask them for good weather during harvesting.

In Buddhist texts, the Serpent King of Muchalind covered the Buddha from the rain with his hood.

Near the third lake is Gokyo Ri peak (5350m), which offers an excellent view of Chou-Yu, as well as Mount Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. The Tibetan name for this mountain - Gaumukh Tse - translates as “peak of the cow’s mouth”