The thought of India as a unified nation is not something new or
post-colonial, rather it is ancient. It is as old as the days of Mahabharata,
when the land of Indus was unified as a single nation, through its places of
pilgrimage. In fact, pilgrimage had been India’s primary bonding factor, since antiquity. Amongst its myriad pilgrimages, the one of its kind is the Kailash
Yatra. However, as per the Hindu scriptures, there are five Kailash Pilgrimages,
where each Kailash is the abode of lord Shiva and situated in different places.
Here, we are about to hike the heights of Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas to
reach an elevation of 13,390 feet, to the Dal Lake, Manimahesh, Manimahesh,
also known as the Manimahesh Lake, close to the Manimahesh Kailash Peak.
Spiritual history that set our
course
As per the local Gaddi tribe, before Shiva permanently left for the
netherworld of Manasarovar, hallowed Manimahesh Kailash, with coordinates 32°23’42”N 76°38’14”E, used to be the lord’s abode – the Kailash. However, the lord still
resides in this Mount Kailash for six months, after which he moves to the
netherworld, as usual, leaving the territory to lord Vishnu – here, whose
actual abode – Vaikuntha is at Dhancho, along with the heaven of Brahama, cited
as a mound, overlooking Bharmaur. And that is the day, which is observed by the
Gaddis reverently, every year. This is the day of Janmashthami, the eighth day
of the month of August, the birthday of lord Krishna – an incarnation of lord
Vishnu. This is the day, when the devotees start their Yatra, and it happens
between Janmashthami and Radhashthami. However, while embarking on the journey
to this Kailash, it is good to know the other places, those are the legendary
home to Kailash – the Shivas abode.
- Manasarovar Kailash in Tibet
- Adi Kailash in Uttarakhand, India
- Sheikhand Kailash in Himachal Pradesh, India
- Kinnar Kailash in Himachal Pradesh, India
- Manimahesh (Chamba) Kailash in Himachal Pradesh, India
Nevertheless, Manimahesh Kailash remains frozen from October to June,
making it a no-go time and zone.
Keep your best feet ahead
On the eight day of the new moon period during August and September, the
lake of many reverences; beckons its devotees to undertake the hallowed
pilgrimage of Manimahesh Yatra. To
reach this Kailash, situated in the Bharmour subdivision of Chamba district of
Himachal Pradesh, India, you need to adhere by some information, which will
make this state-level pilgrimage a successful one. After all, you are scaling
the heights of Manimahesh Lake, whose religious significance comes next to that
of the Kailash Yatra of Lake Manasarovar in Tibet. Manimahesh Kailash is the
counter part of the Mount Kailash, and is the glacial source to the Ravi River
in Himachal Pradesh and Budhil River, also known as the Manimahesh Ganga, whose
stream originates from the lake, as a fall at Dhancho.
The jewel of Shiva and its legends
Manimahesh may not be the most sanctified pilgrimage like the Kailash of
Manasarovar or the other Kailash – Adi, Shrikhand or Kinnar Kailash, but it is
the Manimahesh Kailash. And, it is shrouded by its legends, clarified by the
local, as the rock projections. They are human like in appearances and tell us
the hidden history from beyond the time, about a hermit, then a shepherd and
many more, who in their futile attempt to reach the summit, remained frozen
stiff to the eternal posterity. No one has ever been able to scale to the peak
of Manimahesh Kailash. The lake surrounded by the Kailash and various other
peaks, with glaciers looming over it, will inspire the least devout pilgrim for
the Peak. But, it is recommended that you stay put from doing so.
A hamlet where life stops in eternal peace
Apart from the legends of the spiritual characters; surrounding this
lake, there are legends of the mortals too. How the Dal Lake, Manimahesh became
legendary Manimahesh Lake; recalls the tale of a King, who went to bathe in the
lake and lost his gold ring. It was the sheer miracle of nature that ring later
re-surfaced in the lake. Eventually, the water became the poor man’s heaven,
for who could not go to the Kailash Manasarovar for salvation by taking the
holy deep. Although, today, what remains of the lake is nothing but a pond, but
nonetheless, the lake is still sacred, flooded with gold fish and offers a
serene walk around it from the town. It is a place worth a visit.
The lake can make your visit interesting
It is an exceedingly picturesque spot; you certainly won’t like to miss
it. Hardly 2 kilometres from the main market - the oval shaped lake area - will
take you amidst the lush green deodar trees and small hills. This area is also
famous for the starting point of various small trekking routes. If the little
adventure in you tickles your senses, set out for an exciting trekking spree of
experiencing the nature and a rush of adventure; juxtaposed by the nature at
its best. In case, you are visiting the divine with your family, do not miss
the chance to boat in the Dal Lake, Manimahesh. As a special aid to the little
ones, there are paddle boats, as well, for them to in for a pleasant surprise. Now,
since in time the heights of the immortals have levelled to the destination of
the mortals, set out for a small walk through the tall and dense trees, with
chirping of the birds around, only to cherish the abode of lord, and how
immaculately the divine characters razed it by the Dal Lake, Manimahesh,
overlooking the lofty peaks of Manimahesh Kailash.
Come closer to knowing
By now, if you have already decided upon the Manimahesh trek, there are
certain things you must know for survival. Keep a tab on the nearest places,
which can you help out from the challenges thrown by the mighty earth.
Nearest City or
Town
- Nearest Rail: Pathankot / Chakki Bank(200kms)
- Nearby Towns by Road: Chamba(80kms) / Bharmour(12-13kms)
- Base
Camp: Hadsar (0km)
How to reach:
Reference City: New
Delhi
Commuting Mode:
- By Train – Overnight journey
from Delhi to Pathankot / Chakki Bank > Bus to Chamba or direct to
Bharmour > Shared Cab to Hadsar.
- By
Bus – Direct Bus to Chamba from Delhi > Shared Cab or Bus to
Bharmour > Bus or Shared Cab to Hadsar.
You may also hire a cab direct to Hadsar coming from
Pathankot or Chamba.
Additional Information
Total
Trek Length: (13-14) kms
Level: Moderate
to Difficult
Accommodation
Types:
Paying
Guests or Local Stay
Dhancho being the mid-point
offers stay on your trek
Hadsar –
Dhancho (6-7) kms
Level: Easy
to Moderate
Accommodation
Types:
Permanent
Tents or Camping Tents
Manimahesh Lake
for overnight stay
Dhancho -
Manimahesh lake (7-8) kms
Level: Moderate
to Difficult
Accommodation
Types:
Camping Tents
Accommodation options: Stay at Hadsar village at your
arrival and for getting refreshed before trek
Seasonal Direction:
May-June /
September - October
Advisory: Avoid the Mela rush
at the time between Janmashtami and Radha Ashtami( mid Aug-early Sept). However,
it bears the essence of this place.
The trekking
routes:
- Manimahesh is approached from three
routes.
1) Coming from Lahaul and
Spiti through Kugti pass
2) From Kangra and Mandi
through Karwarsi pass or Jalsu pass via Tyari village, near Holi in Bharmour
3) The easiest and popular
route(as mentioned above) is from Chamba via Bharmour
(Bharmour-Hadsar-Manimahesh)
- Apart from having religious
significance, this trek offers quite amazing views for nature and
photography lovers. Uphill from Dhancho, the climb passes through many
zigzag paths along flowered meadows (see pic).
- Talking of natural offerings, Budhil river
accompanies you uphill till the point where it forms a beautiful waterfall
(known as Dhancho fall).
- At the time of Yatra, there
are numerous “free” kitchens (or langar) to feed pilgrims at
Dhancho and along the trek above Dhancho.
- Other
points of interest on the way to glacial lake are: Bandar Ghati, Bhairon
Ghati, Gauri Kund, Kamal Kund and small streams coming from glacier to
form waterfalls at multiple points.
Advisory:
- There are few points on the trek
which are landslide-prone so one should avoid visiting at the time of
monsoons
- Carry extra thermals / woollens as
nights are always a notch colder at Dhancho or Manimahesh than at Hadsar
- Like an un-said rule, do not
litter here to maintain the sanctity of religious and natural
habitat
