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Manimahesh Lake
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Manimahesh Lake
Manimahesh Lake is considered a sacred lake in the Hindu religion. This lake is situated on the Manimahesh Kailash mountain, one of the Panch Kailash mountains mentioned in the Sanatan religion.Manimahesh (also known as Dal Lake, Manimahesh) is a high altitude lake (elevation 4,080 metres (13,390 ft)) situated close to the Manimahesh Kailash Peak in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, in the Bharmour subdivision of Chamba district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The religious significance of this lake is next to that of the Lake Manasarovar in Tibet.
The lake is the venue of a highly revered pilgrimage trek undertaken during the month of August/September corresponding to the month of Bhadon according to the Hindu calendar, on the eighth day of the new moon period. It is known as the ‘Manimahesh Yatra’. The Government of Himachal Pradesh has declared it as a state-level pilgrimage.
There are two trekking routes to the lake. One is from Hadsar village that is mostly frequented by pilgrims and trekkers. This route is easier and has arrangements for basic food and accommodation during the pilgrimage season. The other one is from village Holi. This route climbs up further and then descends to the lake. There is no other habitation, except for a small village on this route.
Etymology of 'Manimahesh' signifies a "jewel (Mani) on Shiva's (Mahesh's) crown". 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). However, it has been inferred that such a phenomenon could be the result of reflection of light from the glacier that embellishes the peak in the form of a serpent around Shiva's neck.
Gaddis (shepherd) tribe of this region, who reside in the Gaddi Valley which is the name of the upper regions of Ravi River where the Mount Chamba Kailash lies, adopted Shiva as their deity. According to their popular legend, it is believed that Shiva created Manimahesh after he married Parvati, who is worshipped as Mata Gorja. There are many legends narrated linking Shiva and his show of displeasure through acts of avalanches and blizzards that occur in the region. Shiva performed penance on the banks of Manimahesh Lake. 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). The Gaddis started calling the land of this mountainous region as 'Shiv Bhumi' ("Land of Shiva") and themselves as devotees of Shiva. Before Shiva married Parvati at Lake Manasarovar and became the "universal parents of the universe", Shiva created the Mount Kailash in Himachal Pradesh and made it his abode. He made the 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 Trimurti, namely, Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Manimahesh was reckoned as the heaven (Kailasha) of Shiva. The waterfall seen at the Dhancho on the way to Manimahesh Lake, and which emanates from the lake, was considered as the heaven (Vaikuntha) 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 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 Krishna (an incarnation of 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 Maha Shivaratri); Gaddis observe this also as a festive day since Shiva and Parvati returned to Mount Kailash in the Gaddi land.
A rare event of the first sun’s rays falling on the Manimahesh peak is seen in reflection in the lake like a saffron tilaka. 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 Krishna.
Another legend in which Shiva himself is tricked is narrated. According to this narration linked to Dhancho where pilgrims spend a night on their way to Manimahesh Lake, Shiva, pleased with the devotion of one of his ardent devotees Bhasmasura (an asura or demon) bestowed a boon, which gave powers to Bhasmasura under which Bhasmasura touching anyone would reduce that person to ashes. Bhasmasura 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. Bhasmasura could not get through the waterfall. Then, Vishnu intervened and killed Bhasmasura. Since then the waterfall is considered holy.
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Manimahesh Lake
Manimahesh Lake is considered a sacred lake in the Hindu religion. This lake is situated on the Manimahesh Kailash mountain, one of the Panch Kailash mountains mentioned in the Sanatan religion.Manimahesh (also known as Dal Lake, Manimahesh) is a high altitude lake (elevation 4,080 metres (13,390 ft)) situated close to the Manimahesh Kailash Peak in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, in the Bharmour subdivision of Chamba district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The religious significance of this lake is next to that of the Lake Manasarovar in Tibet.
The lake is the venue of a highly revered pilgrimage trek undertaken during the month of August/September corresponding to the month of Bhadon according to the Hindu calendar, on the eighth day of the new moon period. It is known as the ‘Manimahesh Yatra’. The Government of Himachal Pradesh has declared it as a state-level pilgrimage.
There are two trekking routes to the lake. One is from Hadsar village that is mostly frequented by pilgrims and trekkers. This route is easier and has arrangements for basic food and accommodation during the pilgrimage season. The other one is from village Holi. This route climbs up further and then descends to the lake. There is no other habitation, except for a small village on this route.
Etymology of 'Manimahesh' signifies a "jewel (Mani) on Shiva's (Mahesh's) crown". 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). However, it has been inferred that such a phenomenon could be the result of reflection of light from the glacier that embellishes the peak in the form of a serpent around Shiva's neck.
Gaddis (shepherd) tribe of this region, who reside in the Gaddi Valley which is the name of the upper regions of Ravi River where the Mount Chamba Kailash lies, adopted Shiva as their deity. According to their popular legend, it is believed that Shiva created Manimahesh after he married Parvati, who is worshipped as Mata Gorja. There are many legends narrated linking Shiva and his show of displeasure through acts of avalanches and blizzards that occur in the region. Shiva performed penance on the banks of Manimahesh Lake. 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). The Gaddis started calling the land of this mountainous region as 'Shiv Bhumi' ("Land of Shiva") and themselves as devotees of Shiva. Before Shiva married Parvati at Lake Manasarovar and became the "universal parents of the universe", Shiva created the Mount Kailash in Himachal Pradesh and made it his abode. He made the 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 Trimurti, namely, Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Manimahesh was reckoned as the heaven (Kailasha) of Shiva. The waterfall seen at the Dhancho on the way to Manimahesh Lake, and which emanates from the lake, was considered as the heaven (Vaikuntha) 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 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 Krishna (an incarnation of 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 Maha Shivaratri); Gaddis observe this also as a festive day since Shiva and Parvati returned to Mount Kailash in the Gaddi land.
A rare event of the first sun’s rays falling on the Manimahesh peak is seen in reflection in the lake like a saffron tilaka. 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 Krishna.
Another legend in which Shiva himself is tricked is narrated. According to this narration linked to Dhancho where pilgrims spend a night on their way to Manimahesh Lake, Shiva, pleased with the devotion of one of his ardent devotees Bhasmasura (an asura or demon) bestowed a boon, which gave powers to Bhasmasura under which Bhasmasura touching anyone would reduce that person to ashes. Bhasmasura 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. Bhasmasura could not get through the waterfall. Then, Vishnu intervened and killed Bhasmasura. Since then the waterfall is considered holy.
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