While it was believed that lord Shiva arrive to Bharmour from the netherworld at the end of February, before the day of his wedding night, the same day is observed as the Shiv-ratrii The Night of Shiva ; The day is believed to be spiritual, if anybody with pure heart mediate to lord Shiva on this day, whatever the wish is lord grants it.
The devotees of lord Shiva observe the day as a festive day, since universal parents Shiva and Parvati has returned to Gaddi land at Mount Kailash. There was a legend according to which Lord Shiva himself got tricked once. This chronicle was linked to Dhancho where devotees spent their night on their way to Manimahesh Lake.
After getting the boon he tortured everyone from humans to gods and then he desired to try the boon on lord Shiva himself. He, therefore, followed Lord Shiva to use the boon over him. Though, lord Shiva escaped from him and entered into a cave behind waterfall at Dhancho. Where, Bhasmasur was not able to enter because of some reason. At that time, Lord Vishnu interfered and killed the Bhasmasur. Since then, the same waterfall is considered as holy. This chronicle is very popular, I have watched it in TV shows and listened from my elders too during my childhood, as it still amazes me.
Devotees recall an event rare, when the first ray of sun falls on the Mani Mahesh mountain peak, which can be seen in reflection inside the lake like saffron tilak. This event in the lake has heightened the mythological belief of the tribal Gaddis on the sacredness of Manimahesh Lake of the Mount Kailash, which people now visit as a pilgrimage.
This very event is believed to trigger the practice of taking bath in the lake during Janamashtami or Radhashtami day, which is on the fifteen day after the birth of Lord Krishna. To reach the Manimahesh lake there are three routes for devotees. It is the route from Bharmour—Hadsar-Manimahesh route involving a 14 km track from Hadsar to the sacred Manimahesh Lake.
The altitude that can be hiked in this route is m. On reaching the half way on way tented accommodations are available here during the yatra period August—September upto scared lake. Most of the devotees stay for a night at half a distance of the track which is 6 km of flat pasture land towards Dhancho.
Free langars free food organized by people to feed pilgrims are available throughout the yatra. But a lot of people prefer to field their own tents near the sacred lake. As discussed above, there is waterfall known as the Dhancho fall. From there, it is a steep climb towards the lake.
The track is tough but is well maintained. Since then people used to call it 'Bandar Ghati' monkey valley as they were used to crawl like a monkey to cross the stretch.
Before, a bridge on the Mani Mahesh River was crossed to reach the left bank of the valley on a trek from Dhancho. Thereafter walking about 2 km, the same river was needed to be crossed again, over another bridge made of wood, to the right bank. It is famous for its medicinal herbs and varieties of flowers.
Important settlements in this valley are Chamba, Dalhousie, Khajjiar, and Bharmaur. The people, who inhabit this valley, are called Chambial. Pangi Valley District Chamba : This valley is adjoining to the Chamba valley extending along with the Chenab river cuts through the Pir Panjal and offshoots of the main Himalayan range.
This is one of the remotest and the most beautiful tracts of the western Himalayas. In the past pilgrims used to cross this valley to reach Manimahesh Kailash. Khoksar is the first village in this valley. Kaza town is situated in this valley. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Known as Brahmpur in the 6th century , was the seat of power of Chamba state for some years till AD , when a new capital was founded at Chamba by Raja Sahil Varman.
Bharmaur is known for some very old archaeological remains, primarily the temples. All these temples stand on a level area which call the Chaurasi after the 84 Siddhas who are believed to have meditated in Bharmour over years ago.
These Siddhas hailed from Kurukshetra and visited Manimahesh. The oldest temples in the complex are those of Lakshna Devi and Ganesh. Both these temples are made in the hill style with gable roofs and rubble masonry. The outer facade, the inner facade of sanctum, circum ambulatory path and the ceiling are exquisitely carved.
The idol of Lakshna Devi in her incarnation as Mahisasurmardini is magnificent. The tallest temple in the whole complex is of Manimahesh built in Shikhara style of architecture. The temple has a Shivalingam on a raised platform. The other temple in Shikhara style is of Nar Singh.
Lord Vishnu in his avtar as Nar Singh has been cast vividly. There is a bronze Nandi of life size which stands facing the Manimahesh temple. Inscriptions on the pedestal of the bull and on the idols of Lakshna Devi and Ganesh date back to the reign of Raja Meru Varman.
These idols are believed to be the work of master craftsman Gugga. There is a small water source called Ardh Ganda in a corner of the temple complex. Bathing in its water is considered religiously significant.
The country around Bharmour is regarded as belonging to Shiva and is sometimes called Shiv-Bhumi. Being the home of nomadic shepherds Gaddies it is also called Gadderan. Just 4 kms above Chaurasi temples is the hill temple of Bharmani Devi. A trek to this temple refreshes the visitors as it unfolds the green woods before him.
Manimahesh pilgrimage for Lord Shiva begins in the mountainous Bharmour region of Chamba district. The goal of the pilgrims is to take a dip in the holy lake of Manimahesh with a view of the Kailash peak. One of the most beautiful and holiest lakes in the world. Lovely , lovely and lovely sight to watch. The religious significance of this lake is next to that of the Lake Manasarovar in Tibet.
The Government of Himachal Pradesh has declared it as a state-level pilgrimage. According to one popular legend, it is believed that Lord Shiva created Manimahesh after he married Goddess Parvati, who is worshipped as Mata Girja.
There are many legends narrated linking Lord Shiva and his show of displeasure through acts of avalanches and blizzards that occur in the region. Legend also mentions that Shiva performed penance on the banks of Manimahesh Lake. In the same vein, it is mentioned that Gaddis, the tribes of this region, adopted Lord Shiva as their deity.
Gaddis are the people who reside in the Gaddi Valley which is the name of the upper regions of Ravi River where the Mount Chamba Kailash lies. Further, according to the legend, the Shiva, who lived in Mount Kailash, the highest mountain of the state, gifted the Gaddis with a Chuhali topi pointed cap , which they wear traditionally along with their other dress of chola coat and dora a long black cord about 10—15 m long.
He made Gaddis his devotees. The land where Gaddis lived extended from 15 miles 24 km west of Bharmaur, upstream of the confluence of Budhil and Ravi rivers, up to Manimahesh. Manimahesh was also considered the abode of the three Lords of the universe namely, Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Manimahesh was reckoned as the heaven Kaliasa of Lord Shiva. The waterfall seen at the Dhancho on the way to Manimahesh Lake, and which emanates from the lake, was considered as the heaven Vaikunta of Vishnu.
The heaven of Bramha is cited as a mound overlooking the Bharmaur city. The Gaddis also believe that Shiva resides in the Mount Kailash for six months, whereafter he moves to the netherworld handing over the reigns to Lord Vishnu. The day he departs to the netherworld is observed by the Gaddis reverentially every year, which is the Janmashtami day, the eighth day of the month of Bhadon August , the birthday of Lord Krishna an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Shiva returned from the netherworld to Bharamaur at the end of February, before the night of his wedding and this day is observed as the Shivratri day; Gaddis observe this also as a festive day since Shiva and Parvati returned to Mount Kailash in the Gaddi land.
According to a local legend, the moon-rays reflected from the jewel can be seen from Manimahesh Lake on clear full moon night which is a rare occasion. A legend in which Lord Shiva himself is tricked is narrated. According to this narration linked to Dhancho where pilgrims spend a night on their way to Manimahesh Lake, Lord Shiva, pleased with the devotion of one his ardent devotee Bhasmasur an asura or demon bestowed a boon, which gave powers to Bhasmasur under which Bhasmasur touching any one would reduce that person in to ashes.
Bhasmasur wanted to try this boon on Shiva himself. He, therefore, followed Shiva to touch him and get rid of him. However, Shiva managed to escape and enter into the waterfall at Dhancho and take shelter in a cave behind the rolling waters of the fall. Bhasmasur could not get through the waterfall. Then, Lord Vishnu intervened and killed Bhasamasur.
Since then the fall is considered holy. This display in the lake has enhanced the legendary belief of the Gaddis on the sanctity of Manimahesh Lake at the base of the Mount Kailash, which they visit on an annual pilgrimage. This event has also contributed to the practice of taking bath in the lake on Janmashtami day or Radhashtami day, fifteen days after the birth of Lord Krishna. A small lake with pilgrims living in tents during the annual Manimahesh Yatra.
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