G L Khajuria
The lure of mountains has always attracted man since time immoral. In our country, Himalayas have always been associated with Bhagwan Shiv and his divine consort Parvati. No wonder then therefore that Himalayas are replete with places associated with Gods and Goddesses. Manimahesh Yatra is as such as arduous but enchanting pilgrimage to the abode of lord of mountains. Nestled in Himalayas, Manimahesh has always attracted to pilgrims for ages around the world. The sanctum sanctorum lake of Manimahesh is situated at an elevation of 13,500 ft from Mean Sea Level (MSL). Doubtlessly, a piece of heaven in greater Himalayan range, the lake is of far greater size than Kailashkund atop Bhadarwah, the abode of Shri Vasuki Nag Devata of immersive importance.
There are twin routes of Yatra to the sanctum sanctorum lake of Manimahesh. One is on foot from Bhadarwah town itself which is arduous one and takes pretty long time to transverse. And the second one is motorable covering around (499 Km) via Jammu Bhadarwah Jammu (200 Km), Jammu-Pathankote (100 Km), Pathankote to Chamba (HP) (120 Km), Chamba -Bharmour (65 Km) and Bharmour -Hadsar (14 Km). After Hadsar, there is a foot-track of around 15 Km to the last reach of the sacred lake of Manimahesh.
The lake is of immense importance and is believed to be second to Lake Mansrovar in Hindu religious significance. The natural beauty of the lake has an enchanting attraction. The wafting clouds in their milky outlook kiss the azure skies and the sacred and most magnanimous reflections of the lake haunt the souls, minds and hearts of all in their entirety, least leaving any shadow of ambiguity.
‘Manimahesh Lake’ is an immensely spiritual splendor sanctorum surrounded by cliff, peaks and pinnacles reflecting over the most sacred and revered Shiva’s Lakeover centuries past.
It is just like bejeweled crown amidst the greater Himalayas, an adobe of ‘Shiv Shakti’ the supreme, which gets every human wonderstruck, enthralled and enchanted by his benevolence. Manimahesh beckons us to come and partake divine nectar in the form of serene and crystal-clear water of Kailash Kund. The peak of Manimahesh presents itself a huge Shiv-Lingam whose reflection is reflected in the placid-waters of Kailash Kund.
The Yarta is of a symbol of devotion and faith that makes pilgrims to travel over high valleys and mountains to have a Darshan of Manimahesh.
(The author is former Deputy Conservator of Forests, J&K).
