Himachal Pradesh besides being popular for scenic beauty is also known for the various pilgrimage spots in the state. Himachal Pradesh tours customized by Swan Tours include many of these, The most sort after being the Manimahesh Yatra .
Manimahesh Lake (3,950 metres) and Kinner Kailash are two important Yatras of Himachal Pradesh. Apart from being adventure trips of these areas, they have great religious significance. Thousands of visitors visit these places every year.
The small mountain lake of Manimahesh near the base of the peak is the Manimahesh Kailash (5,575 meters) is perhaps the highest in the hierarchy of sacred waters in Chamba district. The Mani-Mahesh Shikhara style temple is one of the most ancient and beautiful in Himachal Pradesh. Lakshmi Devi is represented here as Mahishasurmardini (slayer of the buffalo demon) her brass statue having been executed by Yugga, the master artisan of Raja Meru Verman. This is a ruin kept in good repair. It is at a trekking distance of 35 km from Bharmaur and is a place of great pilgrimage.
During the Yatra, the pilgrims have a holy dip in the Scred Lake on the fifteenth day following the festival of Janmashtami in September-October every year. The devotees sing hymns in praise of Lord Shiva whose eternal abode is believed to be the peak Manimahesh Kailash. The snow-field at the base of the mountain is called Shiva's Chaugan. According to locals, the Lord and his divine consort-Parvati had games and sports on this ground. Another belief is-a shepherded and his sheep were turned into stone by the wrath of the Lord as shepherded attempted to climb up the mountain top. There are some geological lines or waves which the people believe, the serpents turned into stone.
The Yatra starts form Chamba which is a historic place and is known as the city of temples. Located at 996 meters above sea level, Chamba is 53 kilometers from Dalhousie and is on the right bank of the river Ravi. This township has often been compared with an Italian village fortress.
For more information on Holiday packages in Himachal Pradesh contact Swan Tours , One of the leading travel agents in India since 1995.
