Pandava Period Temples At Karsog Valley Of Himachal
Life is peaceable throughout the lap of the Himalayas. Who wouldn’t prefer to personal a life within the mountains? Thankfully, I used to be born within the village of Karsog within the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. The geographical location of Karsog is picturesque with the Pir Panjal Himalayan vary in view. With mountains on all sides, Karsog is the right weekend getaway the place you have to be for a rendezvous with nature.
Karsog is wealthy in tradition, historical past, and faith that’s hooked up to it. From fertile land, apple orchards and dense deodar forests rise to the touch the snow-covered peaks of Karsog. Additionally it is often known as the Beosh area, because the valley had been a territory of the Suket area. The well-known Suket Satyagraha began on this valley in 1948. Suket State was one of many small kingdoms of India. Surprisingly, Karsog holds the Guinness e book report of constructing 995-kg “khichdi”, a standard multi-grain dish, in 5 hours in a single vessel on the event of Makar Sankranti at Tattapani (52 km from Karsog).
This land is extraordinarily fertile and a variety of crops are grown over right here, as an illustration, Apple, Rice, Wheat, Rajmah, or Kidney Beans. It’s well-known for its juicy, crispy, and scrumptious apples. Apple orchards are a must-visit right here. It’s counted as one of many mainstay crops of the valley. The winters are chilling and the summers are nice. The tip of December or the entire of January is the height time for snowfall in Karsog Valley making it a paradise for nature lovers.
Historical past of Karsog
Karsog is a mixture of two phrases ‘kar’ and ‘sog’ which implies ‘every day mourning’. There’s a recognized narrative about Karsog metropolis in Mahabharata – the traditional Indian epic. Within the Dwapar period, when the Pandavas had been in exile, they spent a while in Karsog. It’s believed that from right here Pandavas crossed the Himalayas in the direction of the north to succeed in Gandhamadan mountain, wherever Bhima met Hanuman.
Custom says that this metropolis was cursed by the existence of an Asura. When Pandavas had been roaming in exile, they stayed on this village named Mamel for a while. Throughout that point, an asura had camped in a cave close to the village. To keep away from the wrath of that Asura, villagers agreed to ship an individual to him every day for his meals in order that he gained’t kill your entire village shortly. Eventually the flip of the boy of the home the place the Pandavas had been staying got here. Seeing that the boy’s mom began crying, Pandavas requested the explanation, and he or she stated that I’ve to ship my son to the asura as his meals. Bhima visited that asura slightly than that boy. There was a fierce battle between them and Bhima killed the asura and mitigated the town from its every day mourning.
Karsog is historically very important to the Hinduism religion as temples right here had been arrange by Pandavas.
Temples of Karsog
Devbhoomi Himachal is the place the deities reside in each particle. Karsog is a blessing for devotees. The temples right here comprise the historical past of India and the religion of the devotees. Temples constructed listed below are of Pagoda types the place they’re rectangular stone and wooden buildings with successive roofs, positioned one over one other making them appear to be multi-story edifices. Some distinguished temples of Karsog valley are- the Mamleshwar temple, Kamaksha Devi temple, Mahunag temple.
Mamleshwar Temple
Mamleshwar temple is devoted to Shiva and is without doubt one of the oldest temples within the city constructed by Pandavas. This temple has a really deep reference to the occasions that occurred within the Mahabharata interval and is greater than 5000 years outdated. There are numerous indicators associated to Mahabali Bhima in Mamleshwar Mahadev Temple, which individuals come from far and broad to see, a few of them are as follows.
The primary one is Bhima’s historical drum’ whose size is greater than 6 ft. Home and overseas vacationers go to the temple to see this enormous historical drum. Second is 5 Shivlings on this temple, which had been established by the Pandavas. Now comes the third one, a wheat grain within the temple which is 5000 years outdated. The burden of the stated wheat grain is 200 grams. The Archaeological Division has additionally described these things saved within the temple as very historical.
The final one is a dhuna or the hearth on this temple which is alleged to have been burning repeatedly for the reason that Mahabharata interval. Keep in mind, Bhima had killed the asura and liberated the village from his curse. It’s stated that this unbroken dhuna is happening within the reminiscence of this victory of Bhima.
The sages Parshurama and Brighu are additionally believed to have meditated on the spot.
Kamaksha Temple
It’s believed that this Shaktipeeth of the Goddess belongs to the golden age of Satyuga. Nonetheless, researchers consider that the temple could belong to Parashurama or Pandavas interval as a temple of Satyug could not final so lengthy. Nicely, this can be a topic of extra in-depth analysis, however folks with religion see it otherwise. This temple has an Ashtadhatu Murti believed to be of the Pandava interval.
Throughout the truthful, all these Murtis are positioned on the chariot. The truthful is organized twice a 12 months on the event of Durga Ashtami. Hundreds of individuals collect to see them. Individuals come right here from far and broad to have a darshan of Devi. It’s believed that by visiting the Kamaksha temple, each want is fulfilled. It’s stated that solely three temples of Kamaksha Devi are on this planet. First is the Kamakhya Devi Temple, the well-known Shaktipeeth of Assam. The second is Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu and the third Kamaksha temple is in Karsog in Mandi district. There’s a point out of Parashurama’s go to to this temple of Karsog. The wooden carvings are ornamental of the Kamkasha temple.
Mahunag temple
Mahunag is believed to be the incarnation of the Suryaputra Karna. Suryapurta Karna was son of god Surya (Solar) and kshatriya mom Kunti. Suryaputra Karna was thought of one of many biggest warriors in Indian historical past. Within the warfare of Mahabharata, Arjuna killed Karna by deceit however Arjuna was stuffed with guilt after killing Karna. It’s stated that Arjuna, with the assistance of his serpent buddies, introduced Karna’s physique and carried out the final rites close to Tattapani on the banks of the Sutlej river. A serpent appeared from the identical pyre. That snake settled at this place. Individuals nonetheless worship this snake deity within the type of Mahunag.
Vacationer Points of interest of Karsog Valley
Pangana fort
Historic Pangana fort was constructed someday in 1211 AD by the ruler of the erstwhile Suket Riyasat, Vir Sen. It was the primary capital of the Sen dynasty of Suket State that later shifted to present-day Sundernagar.
The Pangana fort is known for its distinctive structure and wood carvings. Fort is a tower-like construction on a fifty ft stone platform overlooking the little village unfold on both aspect. This seven-storeyed fort is especially visited for the charming old-world grandeur that it exudes. Pangana fort at current is a typical Kath-Kuni structure Kila and the highest flooring of the fort is a temple devoted to the highly effective deity Mata Mahamaya. Nobody goes contained in the fort besides the clergymen. Solely the bottom flooring entrance is accessible which has been transformed right into a temple of Mata Mahamaya.
Tattapani
It’s a well-known pilgrimage middle for Hindus. The month of Magha (January-February) is auspicious for a dip right here. It’s believed that by doing so, one can cleanse oneself of 1’s sins. For decent sulfur springs, hundreds of individuals flock to take a dip throughout winter, particularly on Makar Sankranti. Sulfur has excessive medicinal worth and is sweet for the pores and skin. Tattapani is known for journey exercise rafting. There’s a completely different thrill in rafting within the glowing blue water.
Farm Keep Expertise
This is a perfect place for nature lovers. People who find themselves in quest of peace, pure magnificence, and natural meals. Apple choosing is an attention-grabbing exercise, which might be executed with the entire household, or as a pair’s exercise. Apart from apple choosing one can benefit from the native rural expertise of the place together with native meals, different fruits, and greens.
Learn Extra – Story of Himachal Apple
Tradition and Custom
The folks of Karsog valley are very mushy, easy, and all the way down to earth. They make their residing primarily from agriculture and apple orchards. The languages spoken within the valley are Pahari and Hindi. The dressing model right here is enormously influenced by the cruel local weather circumstances. Girls put on Indian fits with sleeveless jackets referred to as “Sadri” & head scarf referred to as”Dhatu”. Males put on an extended Kurta over churidar pajamas that maintain the ankles tight. They drape a prolonged silky overcoat over it. They cowl their heads with Himachali topi. Suketi Nati is the people dance of this place. Any pageant celebration or perform is incomplete with out Nati. People songs are sung throughout Nati with native musical devices.
The way to attain Karsog Valley
Karsog is an untouched magnificence that doesn’t require a lot effort to succeed in. It has good highway connectivity and is well approachable by highway. The summer time months of April to June are largely thought of the best window in which you’d see the very best of Karsog magnificence and might go for an apple choosing expertise. Close by areas are reworked right into a snowy wonderland through the winter months of December and February. You may go to this place throughout this era when you benefit from the chilly local weather and love snowfall.
By air – The closest airport is in Shimla. The gap between Shimla airport and the valley is 115 KM.
By rail – Shimla railway station is the closest railhead.
By highway – The valley is about 109 KM from Shimla and you may take the SH13 from Shimla in the direction of Naldehra. Even getting round within the valley is pretty simple. There are native buses that run by means of the primary city and villages; nevertheless, the best choice is to have your automobile or bike.
Locations to remain
Resort Mamleshwar – The resort has a superb location close to apple orchards. This resort is good for leisure and offbeat sightseeing.
Location: The Mamleshwar, Chindi, Distt. Mandi (HP)
Distance: 14 km
Kalasan Nursery Farm – This natural farm keep is amidst the Apple Orchards. It’s appropriate for these on the lookout for nature, and the surreal expertise of residing in an apple orchard.
Location: PO Thandapani, Sub- Teh Pangna,
District Mandi Himachal Pradesh, 175046, INDIA
Distance: 23 km
Resort Sizzling Spring – This resort presents scenic river views, a restaurant & an Ayurvedic spa with thermal swimming pools. This resort has the primary Himalayan Geo-Thermal mineral-rich sizzling springs with 4 completely different water swimming pools.
Location: Resort Sizzling Spring, Tattapani, Shimla Hills,
Himachal Pradesh, India 175009
Distance: 53 km
This put up is written by Pallavi Thakur as a part of the IndiTales Internship Program