Treks and walks · Jayanti
The climb to Pokhri lake
Pokhri is a small hilltop lake above the Jayanti side of Buxa, revered by local people, whose fish and turtles are left undisturbed. The climb is short and steep through forest, and the lake is a shaded, quiet place to sit.
The path to Pokhri climbs from the Jayanti area through forest, gaining height quickly; most walkers take an hour and a half to two hours up. The lake is small and dark, ringed by trees. The local story holds that its fish and turtles are sacred, and nobody fishes here.
Sit quietly and watch the water: fish rise, turtles surface, and forest birds move through the trees around the lake. It is a calm place, used by local worshippers, so keep your voice down, do not throw anything into the water other than what locals offer, and leave nothing behind.
The path is inside Buxa Tiger Reserve. Go with a local guide, ask the forest office about current rules, and start early to be back before afternoon heat. The path is slippery and leechy after rain.
Cost: Guide ₹600–1,000
Questions people ask
Good to know
How hard is the Pokhri lake walk?
Short but steep: about an hour and a half to two hours up through forest and a little less down. Fit children and adults manage it fine with breaks. Good shoes help; the path is loose in places and slippery after rain.
Why are the fish at Pokhri lake sacred?
Local communities revere the lake, and by local belief its fish and turtles are sacred and must not be harmed or caught. Visitors are asked to respect this. Do not feed them anything unless local worshippers show you what is customary.
Do I need a guide for Pokhri lake?
We recommend one. The route is inside Buxa Tiger Reserve, paths branch, and forest rules can change. A local guide costs about ₹600–1,000 and knows the way, the lake's customs and where elephants have been seen recently.
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