Saidgai Lake

Saidgai Lake (Pashto: سيدګۍ ډنډ; Urdu: سیدگئی جھیل), also known as 'Saidgai Dand', is situated in the upper reaches of Ushirai Dara in the Upper Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Positioned at an elevation of 11,500 feet (3,500 m), it lies northwest of Gabin Jabba.^[1] During the warmer month, temperatures range between 5°C and 10°C. The lake is a popular tourist destination, especially from June to August, attracting visitors from Dir and other regions. For the remainder of the year, the lake is typically covered in snow. Saidgai Lake is close to the border between of Dir Upper and Swat.

Siadgai Lake, Ushirai Dara

Saidgai Lake
Saidgai Danda
سیدگئی جھیل (Urdu)
Saidgai lake
Saidgai Lake Show map of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Saidgai Lake Show map of Pakistan Saidgai Lake Show map of Asia
Location	Ushirai Dara
Coordinates	35°11′30″N 72°19′30″E
Lake type	Glacial lake
Primary inflows	Glaciers water
Primary outflows	Ushirai Khwar
Basin countries	Pakistan
Max. length	approx. 1 km (0.62 mi)
Max. width	approx. 0.5 km (0.31 mi)
Surface elevation	11,500 ft (3,500 m)
Settlements	Ushirai Dara

Saidgai Lake is located approximately 7–8 hours on foot from Ushirai Dara.^{[citation needed]} Residents of both Upper Dir and Swat District claims administrative rights over the area.

Surrounded by high mountains and lush pastures, the lake spans roughly 1 km in length and 0.5 km in width. Its waters flow into nearby streams that eventually join the Panjkora River in Dir.^{[citation needed]}

There are numerous legends and myths about the lake. Jinn's are popularly believed to live there.^[2]

Access

The lake is accessible from three different trails and sides; Ushirai Dara, Upper Dir (shortest way) which is about 6 hours by foot, Sulatanr (Roringar Valley), Upper Swat and Lalko (Gabina Jabba); about 10 to 12 hours.^{[citation needed]}

From Chitkarai, the distance by foot is around 4–5 hours.

• The Lalko Gabina Jabba
• Ushirai trail
• Another trail leads to the lake from Sulatanr which is also located in the northern tip of Roringar Matta, Swat.

See also

• Lake Saiful Muluk - Kaghan Valley
• Katora Lake - Kumrat Valley
• Mahodand Lake - Kalam Valley
• Kundol Lake - Kalam Valley
• Daral Lake - Swat Valley
• Izmis Lake - Swat Valley
• Pari Lake - Swat Valley

References

1. "Saidgai Lake - Located in Upper Dir District". Dawn Newspaper. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
2. H. A. Deane (January 1896). "Article 14. Note on Udyāna and Gandhāra". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. London: Royal Asiatic Society. p. 661. Retrieved 30 October 2024.