A lake in Sikkim's Mangan district was opened for tourists for the first time on Tuesday with certain restrictions in place in deference to the religious significance of the waterbody.

The Sanglaphu Cho (lake) is located at an altitude of 5,080m (16,670ft) and around 5km from Yumesamdong — also called Zero Point — near Lachung.

The Sanglaphu Cho is known as the “Great Lake” among local people who consider it sacred and worship it.

“To mark the opening of the lake today (on Tuesday), a prayer was conducted by the monks of Samten Choling Monastery in Lachung. The event was attended by the pipon and members of the Lachung dzomsa and representatives of the hotel association and cab drivers,” said a source.

Lachen and Lachung in Sikkim have traditional administrative institutions known as dzomsas and the headman is known as pipon.

After the official opening of the lake, visitors and tourists have been advised not to bring in any form of single-use plastic, including tetra packs.

“Currently, only vehicles with four-wheel drives are advised to access the lake. However, as the snow melts, it will gradually become accessible to all types of vehicles. Spitting is not allowed in the lake area and those violating it will face strict action,” the source added.

The pipon of the Lachung dzomsa said the Sanglaphu lake signifies a vibrant tapestry of the local people's rich heritage and religious beliefs.

“Tourists and visitors can now embark on a religious trip here. We request everyone to act responsibly and not to litter in the lake and its vicinity. Let us embrace our culture in a sustainable and judicious manner,” he said.

Sanglaphu is a mountain peak with an altitude of 6,224m in the northeast of Sikkim. On the peak's western side, water flows from the Gurudongmar glacier into the Gurudongmar lake, which is one of the highest lakes in the world. Located at an altitude of 5,425m (17,800ft), the Gurudongmar lake is the main source of the Lachen stream that feeds the Teesta.

Sikkim, which sits on the India-China border, has two more lakes which are popular tourist destinations.

One is the Khecheopalri lake, originally known as Kha-Chot-Palri which is situated amidst pristine forest at an altitude of 1,700m (5,600ft) near Khecheopalri village. The lake is around 150km west of Sikkim capital Gangtok in the western part of the state.

The other is the Tsomgo (Chhangu), a glacial lake in the eastern parts of the state.