Tag Archives: Manimahesh lake

Manimahesh Kailash (Himachal Pradesh , India)

Manimahesh Lake is a high altitude lake (4,080 mtrs) situated close to the Manimahesh Kailash Peak in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, in the Bharmour subdivision of Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh , India. Manimahesh Kailash Peak (5653 mtrs) which stands towering high over the Manimahesh Lake, is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. The lake is the venue of a pilgrimage trek undertaken during the month of August/September and is known as the ‘Manimahesh Yatra’.

According to the locals, Lord Shiva is believed to reside in Manimahesh Kailash. A rock formation in the form of a Shivling on this mountain is considered as the manifestation of Lord Shiva. It is also believed that Manimahesh Kailash is invincible as no one has so far scaled it, in spite of claims to the contrary and the fact that much taller peaks have been scaled. The story says that a local tribe, a Gaddi, tried to climb along with a herd of sheep and is believed to have been turned into stone along with his sheep.

Access

Manimahesh can be reached via Chamba, Bharmour and Hadsar. There is a Motorable (Jeepable) road till Hadsar. From Hadsar you climb 13 kms by foot by the banks of Manimahesh Ganga to reach Manimahesh lake , located at the base of Manimahesh Kailash peak.

Other Attraction to see in Bharmour:

Chaurasi Temple : The temple is located in the center of Bharmour town and holds immense religious importance.It is believed that it was built some 1400 years ago. Life of people in Bharmour revolves around the temple complex-Chaurasi (Chaurasi is hindi word for number eighty four). The temple is named so because of 84 shrines built in the periphery of Chaurasi Temple. The beautiful Manimahesh temple occupies the center of the complex. It is believed that when 84 Siddhas, who had come from kurukshetra, were passing through Bharmour to visit Manimahesh, they fell in love with the calmness of Bharmour and reconciled to meditate here.

Bharmani Mata: The temple complex is at the top of the ridge some 4km away from the main town of Bharmour. According to a local people it is believeed that Bharmour was called Brahmpura after Bharmani Devi. When Lord Shiva went to Manimahesh Kailash , he granted a boon to goddess Bharmani Devi that all persons intending to go on pilgrimage to Manimahesh must have a dip in their holy pool. Failing this, their pilgrimage would not be acceptable to Lord Shiva. That’s the reason every visitor first takes a bath in Bharmani’s holy pool before going to Manimahesh Lake.

Location Map Manimahesh-Map

 

Road Map

Trek kms

13 kms One way

Level

Moderate

Ideal Season

June – Mid October

Altitude

4080 mtrs at Manimahesh Lake

Number of Days (Delhi to Delhi)

4 – 5 Days minimum

How to get there:

By Air: The closest airport is at Gaggal (Kangra) near Dharamshala which is 190 kms from Bharmour. Buses and Taxis are available from Gaggal Airport to Bharmour.

By Train: The nearest railway terminal is situated in Pathankot which is at distance of 180kms from Bharmour. You can take a Bus/Taxi to Chamba and then further to Bharmour

By Bus: From Kashmiri Gate ISBT Delhi you can take a bus to Chamba. From Chamba you have to go to Hadsar village via Bharmour. Hadsar is around 73 kms away from Chamba. From Chamba to you take a bus to Bharmour. Fom Bharmour to Hadsar you will get small vehicles like jeep or taxi.

By Road Self-drive / Taxi from Delhi:

Delhi – Karnal – Ambala – Kharar road – Rupnagar – Balachur – Gharshankar – Hoshiyarpur – Dasuya – Mukerian – Pathankot – Jasur – Nurpur – Jot – Chamba – Bharmour – Hadsar (637 kms)

Helicopter Service: There is also an Helicopter service which is available during yatra season from Bharmour to Gauri Kund & return and would charge around Rs.8500 per person.