Manimahesh Yatra

In the month of August/September the annual famous YATRA of Manimahesh commences from Laxmi-Narayana Temple in Chamba.  The CHHARI is taken to the sacred lake of Manimahesh, which is one of the chief tirthas in the district. Off late people from north India and beyond have started visiting this sacred lake. The lake is situated at the height of 13,500 feet above sea level and at the base of Manimahesh Kailsah peak (18,564 feet), 92 km from Chamba, where pilgrims take holy dip. Manimahesh Kailash is a virgin peak. In 1968 an Indo-Japanese team led by Nandini Patel made an unsuccessful attempt to scale the peak. The devout attribute the failure to the divine prowesses of the holy mountain. On the margin of the lake is a small marble Shivaling called CHAUMUKHA. 

Manimahesh is 27 km from Bharmour. During the mela days sufficient bus service is available upto Hadsar, 14 km from Bharmour. The pilgrimage is generally done in two stages. Between Dhanchho and Manimahesh lake, there are minor places of pilgrimage known as Bandar Ghati, Gauri Kund, Shiv Kalotri and Ganesh Ghati. The trek from Dhanchho to Manimahesh lake is difficult in patches. Just short of the lake is Gauri Kund where women take a holy dip before returning to home. The pilgrimage to Manimahesh is considered sacred like that of Amarnath, Badrinath and Rameshwarm. During the mela days several BHANDARAS are set-up for the benefit of pilgrims and meals are served free of cost. Pack animals are also available for those who do not want to carry their luggage themselves.
Bharmani Devi: Bharmani Devi, the patron Goddess of Bharmaur is 4 km from Bharmour on a steep gradient, located on a ridge among the forest and has a facinating view of Budhal valley. According to a legend Goddess was residing in the Bharmaur Chaurasi, before the advent of pilgrims. When Lord Shiva first appear in Bharmaur, the Goddess shifted her seat to the hill top known as Bharmani. It is said that Goddess passed a command to Lord Shiva that the journey to the sacred Manimahesh peak would be incomplete unless the devotees visit her place. Since then it is a ritual to visit Bharmani Devi, before the journey to Manimahesh.
 

 

Dehra Gopipur River Beas

River Beas..
captured from Dera Gopipur on way to Dharamshala from Chandigarh...

 The Beas River (Punjabi: ਬਿਆਸ) is the second easternmost of the rivers of the Punjab. The river rises in the Himalayas in central Himachal Pradesh, India, and flows for some 290 miles (470 km) to the Sutlej River in western Punjab state. The river was also known as Arjiki or Vipasa to the ancient Indians and the Hyphasis to the Ancient Greeks.
The river begins at the Rohtang Pass in the state of Himachal Pradesh, merges with the Sutlej at Harike Pattan south of Amritsar in Punjab, India VIA Mandi.

About Dharmshala

Dharamshala

This is a hill station lying on the spur of the Dhauladhar range about 17 kms north- east of Kangra town. This hill station is wooded with oak and conifer trees and snow capped mountains enfold three sides of the town while the valley stretches in front. The snowline is perhaps more easily accessible at Dharamshala than at any other hill resort and it is possible to make a day's trek to a snow-point after an early morning's start. Dharamshala is also the headquarter of the Kangra district.
 

Naddi Village near Dharamshala

In 1905, tragedy struck Dharamshala when an earthquake levelled it completely. After its reconstruction, Dharamshala flourished as a quiet health resort. It is divided into two distinct parts. Lower Dharamshala has civil offices and business establishments with courts. Kotwali bazar and Upper Dharamshala comprise of places with names which bear witness to its history like McLeod Ganj and Forsythe Ganj. Since 1960, when it became a temporary headquarter of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Dharamshala has risen to international fame as "The Little Lhasa in India". Mcleodganj is 9 km from Dharamshala.
In and around Dharamshala, one can visit the Kangra Art museum at Kotwali bazar, War memorial, Kunal Pathri temple and tea gardens on way to Kunal Pathri. There is also a beautiful Cricket stadium in the city facing mighty Dhauladhar.

General information
Languages Spoken: Hindi, Punjabi, English and Pahari are understood and spoken by the people engaged in tourism trade
Shopping centres: Kotwali Bazar, a general shopping area, and McLeod Ganj for Tibetan handicrafts
Area: 5739 sq. km
Population: 13.39 lakh
Altitude: Between 1250 m to 1550 m (Dharamshala)
Temperature: Max. 38 C in June; Min. 0 C in Jan.
Annual rainfall: Varies between 290 cm to 380 cm second highest rainfall in the country.
Best season: January to June; September to December. July-August is rainy season. 
Clothing

Winter:    Heavy Woollens
Summer:  Light Woollens and tropical

Approach

Air: The nearest airport at Gaggal is 14 km away after which it is accessible by road.

Rail: Pathankot is the nearest broad gauge railway terminal to Dharamshala. From Pathankot there is a narrow gauge railway line up to Kangra (94 km) and from here Dharamshala is 17 km by road.
Road: Direct and regular bus service from Delhi (520 km), Chandigarh (250 km), Jammu (210 km), Shimla (238 km), Chamba (185 km) and Manali (240 km).

Distances from Dharamshala

Places to visit	Km
Baijnath Shiv temple	54
Bhagsunag falls	11
Dal lake	12
Dehra Gopipur	52
Dharamkot	11
Jawalamukhi temple	54
Kareri	22
Kunal pathari	03
Masroor	42
Nurpur	66
St. John's Church	08
Trilokpur	41
Triund	16
War memorial	03

Hotal Koundal grand view

kajjiyar after snow fall

thats true

after rain in kajjiyar