Friday, October 21, 2016

MANIMAHESH - LORD SHIVA'S HOME




ManiMahesh TREK

Mani Mahesh trek is one of the beautiful trek in Himachal. Mani Mahesh is also a holy place for Hindus. Manimahesh Lake (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 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.

Day 1 : Arrive Delhi (315m) - Pathankot By Train 

Leave Delhi for Pathankot by train. (Jammu Mail, Dep.2100hrs)

Day 2 : Pathankot - Chamba (912m) (118km; 3 - 4 Hours)

Arrival at Chakki bank or Pathankot at 0650hrs. and after refreshments we leave for Chamba by train. Arrival in Chamba and check in at a hotel. In the evening we explore the historical town of Chamba. This is historically worth seeing. The Laxmi Narayan temple of Chamba is a master piece of Himalayan heritage architecture. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

Day 3 : Chamba (912m) - Bharmaur (2150m) - Hudsar (2280m)
         Then Trek From Hudsar To Dancho

Note: Hudsar is the starting point of trek. We leave for Chamba via Hudsar and Bharmaur. Bharmaur is 67km from Chamba and is famous for 84 ancient temples. Then we drive to Bharmaur for Hudsar which is the starting point of Mani Mahesh trek. We trek to Dancho. It takes around 3 hours to reach our first camp site at Dancho. Overnight stay in tents.

Day 4 : Dancho (2550m) - Mani Mahesh (3950m)

After a refreshing breakfast, we leave for Gauri kund and then to Mani Mahesh lake. There are two ways to reach Mani Mahesh: one is through Bandar Ghati and the other is the route which is generally for visitors. The temple here is one of the most ancient in the hills of Himachal. From Bharmaur also starts the trek through Kugti pass to Lahaul. Kugti National Forest and Wild Life Sanctuary is located in this area. This remote sanctuary is home to black and brown bears and snow leopards and rare pheasants. Overnight in camps near this holy lake.

Day 5 : Mani Mahesh Lake

To day will be free day to explore the place. Overnight at camp.

Day 6 : Mani Mahesh Lake (3950m) - Dancho (2550m)

Same Route Overnight in Camp.

Day 7 :  Dancho(2550m) - Hudsar (2280m) - Chamba (912m)

Leave Dancho for Hudsar, drive to Chamba. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 8 : chamba To Delhi by train.