MANIMAHESH -
YATRA- The abode of
LORD SHIVA - known as the destroyer of everything. This photo is taken during one of my
12th visit to
Manimahesh (view at
Gauri Kund). Every year people mainly from Punjab;
Jammu;
Himachal along with other places of India visit this place during the auspicious days - i.e. from
Janamashtami (Lord Krishna's birthday) to
Radha-
ashtami day. During this period there are lots of
Langars (free service) by the
devotees of Lord Shiva who serve food; medicine; and shelter with full dedication and devotion.
Manimahesh situated at an altitude of about 13500 feet lies in
Brahmaur Tehsil of
Chamba District of
Himachal Pradesh, India. From Delhi one can go to
Pathankot by train / bus /air; then reach
Chamba (
aprox 700
kms from Delhi). From
Chamba to
Barhmour one can go by private vehicle or
HRTC buses. This distance is about 65
kms and time taken is approx 4 to 5 hours as the road is very narrow sometime it is steep along with river
Rawi. The view on the way is mind freshening.
Brahmaur - once the ancient capital of the
Chamba rulers before the 8
th century A.D. was the main center of activities in the princely state of Chamba. It was during those times the temple of CHOURASI (84) were built. The main temple of Manimahesh built in shikhara style was dedicated to Lord Shiva.
On reaching
Brahmaur one can stay at Mountaineering Gust House/ Tourist Bungalow run by
Himachal Government. Dormitory and rooms are available if you reach their before 4pm.
The hills of
Barhmour are full of flora and varieties of Herbs are grown wild in this area. At
Chourasi one should not forget to visit the temple of
LORD DHARAMRAJ -
the LORD OF DEATH. It is believed that this is the place where one has to pass through after death. It is here that Lord
Dharamraj's Court pronounce his justice according to the KARMA (deeds) of the departed Soul. The
LORD GANAPATI; GODDESS LAKSHANA DEVI AND
LORD NAR SIMHA (Lord Vishnu) statues are worth seeing and magnificent. The huge
SHIVA LINGAM situated in the main temple of
Chourasi which is surrounded by very old and tall pine trees. Their is a
lifesize bronze statue o
f NANDI (Bull) in front of the temple of
Manimahesh - Lord Shiva.
During the festival season in the month of August / September every year this area is full of activities of local people; devotee's of Lord Shiva and sadhus (saints). From
Chourasi (
Brahmaur) a visit to
Brahmani Devi temple (4
kms ) is must for every traveler of
Manimahesh. The view of
Budhal valley - Mountain range is worth viewing and mind
freshing.
From
Brahmaur one has to go to
Harsar or Hadsar the confluence of two rivers (10
kms by road). Here during old time people of the surrounding areas used to immerses the ashes of their dead one (bones) on the confluence point of the two rivers. From
Harsar the real and
tough trek starts. It is about
16 kms trek climbing higher and stiff mountain step by step besides river
BHUJALA. Local people cover this distance in about 5 to 6 hours but people like us who came from the Metros cities 9 to 10 hours. It is better to halt at
Dancho ( the water fall) about 7
kms from
Harsar. Next day then one can start early morning and can reach the base of
Kailash (
Gauri Kund) and can stay near the Holy Lake of
Manimahesh.
Taking a holy dip in the ice water lake of
Manimahesh is a memorable experience. The weather is very unpredictable. The dance of
Lord Shiva -
TANDAV - is the true manifestation in the form of Weather in this area. If you are lucky enough by getting the nice weather at night then watching the star at night is a memorable experience. The view of
Mount Kailash gives you a sense of pleasure which only an individual
SOUL can understand and feel the vibration of that
INVISIBLE. It seems that one of the major dream of your life is achieved after viewing the peak of
MOUNT KAILASH. YOU CAN FEEL AS IF YOU ARE IN HEAVEN AND YOU ARE THE PART OF THIS UNIVERSE. IT IS ONLY HERE YOU REALIZE THAT YOU ARE CLOSER TO THY SELF - THE IMMORTAL SOUL.
If your mind and body is strong enough one can venture and trek to KAMAL KUND (Lotus shaped Lake - about 4 kms steep trek) near the base of Mount Kailash. This area is full of rare Herbs and one needs lot of knowledge and stamina to identify the proper herb growing in a natural environment as it is a GIFT OF GOD to mankind. WE MUST BE THANKFUL TO THAT ALL MIGHTY WHO HAS BESTOWED UPON US HIS BLESSING IN THE FORM OF HERBS. We must preserve them and use them properly. OM NA MO SHIVA We are committed to supply pure herbs. We can collect and cultivate the herbs through contract farming for our buyers according to their specifications. We engage the local people who are trained and are aware of the conditions in which herbs are found in their natural habitat.
The herbs when collected are dried in shade, cleaned and stored in good hygienic conditions. At the time of supply / delivery the herbs are cleaned manually, inspected and packed in poly bags / gunny bags as per demand for export/local delivery. For further details do write to us at http://konarkcrafts.com/index.php
MANIMAHESH - KAI LASH- THE TEMPLE OF GOD
No man made Temple is required.
Only thy SOUL - Mani Mahesh
Thought (Mind) is thy Lord.
Manimahesh Yatra - A journey to Heaven.