|
Mani Mahesh Lake
|
Place of Origin: Budhil valley, Bharmour (Chamba District), Himachal Pradesh
|
|
|
Description
Manimahesh is a glacial lake is situated at an altitude of 4170 meters (one of the highest lakes in Himachal Pradesh) at the base of the sacred Manimahesh Kailash Peak, also known as ‘Chamba Kailash'. It lies in a glacial depression and is fed by snow-melt waters from the surrounding slopes. The water in the lake is crystal clear. (Source: http://library.advanced.org/10131/chamba_manimahesh.html)
|
|
Religious significance
The lake is an important pilgrimage destination in the state, especially among the Gaddi tribes. It is believed that Lord Shiva created Manimahesh after his marriage with Goddess Parvati, who is worshipped as Mata Gojra. There are plenty of legends about encounters with Lord Shiva and the display of His displeasure through avalanches and blizzards.On the margin of the lake is a small marble Shivaling called Chaumukha.
Manimahesh Yatra
The yatra is held every year during the month of August or September. Thousands of people visit the lake to bathe in its sacred water, on Radha asthami , the 15 th day following the festival of Janmashtami every year. It is a colourful procession that starts from the Laxmi-Narayan temple in Chamba town and goes right upto the lake. It takes about 6 days to reach the lake. Pilgrims carry a sacred ‘Chhari' on their shoulders. On reaching the lake, a night long ceremony is held and on the next day the devotees take a holy dip in the lake.After bathing in the holy waters, the pilgrims go around the lake three times.
(Source: http://www.indiatravelite.com )
|
|
Manikaran Hot Spring
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/
wki/File:Hot_springs_at_
Manikaran,Himachal_
Pradesh.jpg)
|
Description
Manikaran is located at an altitude of 1760 meters. Several hot water springs emerge at various locations at Manikaran along the Parvati river. The springs come out to surface with great pressure and are very hot. There is no sulphur or iron mixed in the waters, but it is said contain radioactive elements such as uranium and radium. The water from the springs are so hot that rice, pulses and vegetables can be cooked with it. The springs are also well-known for their miraculous healing powers. People come here from different part of India for taking a dip in the spring water, which is believed to cure ailments such as rheumatism,goutandmuscularpain.
(Source:http://www.himachalpradesh.us/geography/himachal_hot_springs.php)
|
|
Religious significance
Manikaran is a well-known pilgrimage centre for the Hindus. There are several temples in Manikaran, the most important one being the Lord Raghunatha (Rama) temple that was constructed by Raja Jagat Singh in the 17th century. Though there is no historical evidence, the pandas (priests) of the temple claim that the idol of Rama was brought from Ayodhya and installed here. There is another very old temple at Manikaran. This temple is dedicated to Lord Siva. It suffered extensive damage during the 1905 earthquake and got tilted.
Manikaran is also held sacred by the Sikhs because of its association with Guru Nanak. There is a famous gurudwara - Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurudwara here. Devotees visiting the Gurudwara take a holy dip in the hot water emanating from the springs.
(Source: www.indialine.com )
|
|
|
Legend associated with Manikaran
The mountains, the lush green patches and the forests of Manikaran is belived tp have charmed Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati and they decided to stay there for sometime. For long eleven hundred years they stayed at this place. At one time, when the Lord and the Goddess were relaxing in the waters of a stream running by the side, a 'mani' (precious stone) from the ear-ring of the Goddess dropped somewhere. Parvati was much distressed and there was a thorough search but efforts to find out the mani failed. Lord Siva got enraged and opened His third eye of the Lord Siva. As a result, there was a great commotion all over the universe. In order to subside the anger of Lord Shiva, Sheshanag hissed and there was a flow of boiling water continuously, which passed over the area and out came a large number of the precious stones.
(Legendsource:http://www.pilgrimage-india.com/sikh-pilgrimage/manikaran.html
|