Manimahesh Lake | Best Place To Visit In Himachal

Manimahesh lake Trek

Manimahesh Lake is located 21 km from Bharmour in Budhil valley, one of the major pilgrimage places in Himachal Pradesh. Manimahesh Lake is situated at an altitude of 4,080 meters above sea level and is completely snow-covered during winters. Every year, on the eighth day of the light crescent half in the month of August-September, a fair is held at this lake, attracting hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, who gather to take a dip in the holy waters. Lord Shiva is the presiding deity of this fair. It is believed that he resides in Kailash. A rock formation in the form of a Shivling on Kailash is believed to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva. The snow field at the base of the mountain is called the Chaugan of Shiva by the locals. Mount Kailash is considered invincible. No one has so far been able to scale this peak, despite the fact that much higher peaks have been conquered, including Mount Everest.

Manimahesh Lake | Best Place To Visit In Himachal

The trek starts with a slight climb of first few kilometers but after that, the route becomes like a zigzag towards crossing the first Mani Mahesh stream. After trekking for another 1 km, you will reach Dhancho. This place is situated at an altitude of 2,280 meters above sea level. From Dhancho, the trek leads through the valley of flowers and medicinal herbs to Sundarsi. From Sundarsi, two trekking routes are available. The first trek is a convenient trek while the second one is a bit more difficult which reaches Gaurikund via “Bhairav ​​Ghati”. If you take the first route from Gaurikund, you cross Mani Mahesh Nala over a metal girder bridge. Which finally exits the gradient and from here your destination is 1.5 kms.

Manimahesh Lake

In one corner of the Manimahesh Lake is a marble image of Shiva, worshiped by the pilgrims who visit the place. After bathing in the holy water, the pilgrims go three times around the circumference of the lake. There is a spectacular view of the lake and its surroundings. The reflection of the snow peaks in the calm waters of the lake appears as shadows.

Manimahesh Lake, Chamba

Manimahesh can be visited by different routes. Pilgrims from Lahaul-Spiti come through the Kugati pass. Some of Kangra and Mandi come through Kawarsi or Jalsu pass. The easiest route is from Chamba to Bharmour. Presently buses go till Hadsar. There is an important permanent place between Hadsar and Manimahesh, known as Dhancho where pilgrims usually spend the night.About a kilometer away from Manimahesh Lake, there are two reservoirs of religious importance named Gauri Kund and Shiva Krotri, where according to popular belief, Gauri and Shiva bathed respectively. Female pilgrims take a holy bath at Gauri Kund and male pilgrims at Shiva Krotri before leaving for Manimahesh Lake.

How to reach Manimahesh Lake

By Airplane

You can easily reach Dharamsala, Dalhousie and Chamba from Gaggal's Kangra airport. Bus and public transport are available from Gaggal to these cities regularly. You can also easily reach Dharamsala, Dalhousie and Chamba with the help of taxis and cabs. Kangra Airport is well connected to major airports of India.

By Train

The nearest railway station to Manimahesh is Pathan Kot Railway Station. Buses run regularly from Pathankot to Dharamsala, Dalhousie and Chamba. If you want, from here you can reach these three cities very comfortably by taking cabs and taxis.

By road

Himachal Road Transport buses run regularly from Pathankot Bus Stand to Dharamsala, Dalhousie and Chamba. From all these three places, you will get bus and public transport service to Bharmour. Regular trains (special bus services, taxis and jeeps) run from Bharmour to Hudsar during the season, but if you are coming to Manimahesh without season then you may find it difficult to get a train from Bharmour to Hudsar.