While proceeding downwards from Dolma - La (Dolma Pass), a steep descent will lead you to Gauri Kund at 5608 m. Some call it the ‘Lake of compassion’. In the religious book Shiva Purana, this is the setting for the legend of Hindu goddess Parvati and how Ganesh (Parvati’s son) acquired his elephant head while bathing in the emerald waters of
the lake. Parvati fashioned an image of Ganesh from the
soap suds on her body, breathed life into it and placed it 
at the entrance of her home to prevent anyone entering.
Lord Shiva happened to return at this point of time and
was stopped by Ganesha. Indignant at this affront, an
angry Shiva cut off the boy's head. Parvati was inconsolable and insisted that the boy be brought back to life. Helpless, Shiva took the head of a wandering elephant and placed it on the body. Life was restored and Parvati had her son back.
