MANIMAHESH - IN SEARCH FOR THY SELF.

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 8th 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 of 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 (4kms ) 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.