I am a local guide from Pune, Maharashtra, India.
I travel to Explore, Love To Have Fun, Travel and Enjoy Life. That is Why We Do What We Do. This local Guide Drive has given me an opportunity to share my experiences.
Now here I am with my mesmerizing experience of a Visit to Mysterious A Youngest Kailash Parvata “A Manimahesh Peak”
*"*It’s the darkest hour before the dawn. Wrapped in almost half a dozen blankets, I am half-awake in my tent at Dhancho after trekking for six hours. Numerous thoughts keep flowing in my head as I listen to the burbling sound of Parvati stream running in the rearside of our camp. I try to calm my mind, not getting attached to any thought and letting them flow - just like the water of this river.
Soon to break the calm, there’s a noise outside. I hear some people shouting with joy. I unzip my tent and rush out bare-feet to catch a sight of something glittering far there in the Kailasha Parvata. It’s called Mani - the gem on Shiva’s crown, they say. When the moon rays reflect from it on a clear, full moon night, it shines. It’s a rare occasion on a land which is 13,500 feet above the sea level."
The main religious site of Manimahesh Lake from where the virgin Kailash Peak (believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva) is sighted is located at a distance of 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) from the nearest road point of Hadsar. Being 13 kms far from Chamba, Hadsar is considered as the starting point of Manimahesh Yatra and can be reached via air, rail or road. However, the rest of the trek to the Manimahesh Lake is covered barefoot by the pilgrims.
Religious belief:
According to a local legend, Manimahesh - as the name signifies, refers to a jewel (Mani) on Lord Shiva’s (Mahesh’s) crown, that imparts its holy darshans (sight) to the devotees when the moon rays reflect from it on a clear, full moon night, being a rare occasion. This is followed by another rare event when the first rays of sun fall on the peak of Kailash hill, which appears like saffron tilak when seen in the lake as its reflection. These events, adding more to the religious belief to the local people of Himachal, as well as various pilgrims visiting the place during the annual pilgrimage also contribute to the practice of taking bath in the Manimahesh lake, which also known as ‘Shiv-kund’ and ‘Dal-Jheel.’
After taking a dip in this beautiful, shallow circular lake, Kailash Peak is worshipped at a roofless temple, conspicuous with many iron trinkets, on the opposite side of the lake. The whole view in the morning touches the heart of the visitor, urging him to visit again next year.
The route:
Providing a heavenly experience of the rain-drenched hills and beautiful huge waterfalls all through the way, this Kailash Yatra is also considered as one of the toughest pilgrimages in India.
The three-day yatra involves a road trip from Bharmour to Hadsar (17 kms, half an hour by road) on the first day. As per the religious belief, the yatra is started before taking a short trip of 4 kms from Bharmour to pay obeisance at Brahmani Mata Temple.
The Chaurasi Temple Complex also becomes a major hotspot for the tourists and devotees in Bharmour.
On the second day, yatris begin the ascending and descending trail of stone steps from Hadsar, through the thick forests to reach Dhanchho and ought to reach Gauri-Kund by evening or night where it is believed that Goddess Parvati used to bath and now, only women are allowed to take a dip in the pond. Tented accommodation and various dhabas and kitchens are also facilitated to the pilgrims by the state government, as well as various voluntary organizations at different spots on the main trek. However, Gauri-Kund is also a place to rest before proceeding towards the final destination of the pilgrimage.
Yatris finally trek to the Manimahesh Lake through an ascending zigzag path on the third day and intend to return the same day after the holy darshans. The path is hewn off the slope and meanders above many glacier peaks.
Special Attributes: Brahmani Mata Temple, Chaurasi Temple Complex, and Manimahesh Lake.