Manimahesh (13th & 14th April)

Hi guys,

I was planning a trek for Manimahesh on 13th & 14th April, I have done this trek earlier but not in april.
Any Sort of Feedbacks would be welcome

Manimahesh Trek Details


Hi Folks I would like to share details of the Manimahesh Trek, I had done Last Summer
First of all we started at around 11 in the Night from Chandigarh to Bharmour (Chamba District). The route we followed was like From Chandigarh to pathankot –Baniketh –Chamba- Bharmour. We reached bharmour around afternoon. Went to see the Chaursia (84 temples). Then Bharmour started a 2.5 Kms Steep trek for Bharmani Mata Mandir. Bharmani Mata Mandir is a part of the Manimahesh Trek as first one needs pay its obeisance at Bharmani Mata. As per the Myth the Bharmour Town receives the water Supply form the whole town from the temple itself. We reached the top & were lucky to have Langar (Community Kitchen) being Served. Must say had awesome meat & Rice. The view from Bharmani Mata of the Valley is awesome. I have enclosed the Pics of the same.Then from Bharmour we went Hadsar which further 16 Kms ahead from Bharmour. One thing more we had hired a jeep from Chandigarh.. then we stayed at hadsar that Night. Although average accommodation is available at Hadsar, but we had pitched our tents & stayed in them. Hadsar is the base camp for Manimahesh our u can say the point upto which we have a metalled road.

Further we started our trek from Hadsar around 6: 30 am in the Morning. The Ascent was pretty gradual for the first Two Kilometers, and then there were two quite small & safe glaciers we had to cross. Then the Climb upto to Dhancho is Quite Steep & Tiring Also,
Dhanco is the Midway of the Journey & there we have a small shop, had tea & Light Snacka over there

From Dhanco there are basically two routes(pic Enclosed) for the Further trek.One trek There was glacier(Pic Enclosed) which had to be crossed with Manimahesh Nullah Flowing Rapidly Underneath.it. Also just before Dhanco there is one Splendid waterfall also.
We had taken the Other Way thru the Bandar Ghati (which is a shorter but a liitle risky & narrow trek, Upto Shiv Ka Ghart which is @kms further Up from Dhanco. Shiv ka Garath is huge rock with the Noise of Water Flowing thru it.. As per the Legend it’s the Source of Food for Mankind. From Shiv ka Garath for the next two Kms there is a gradual Ascent upto Bharoh Ghati (Bharoh Valley). This is one of the most Steep & tiring sector of the whole trek Apprx Disatcne arnd 2Kms. Also Landscape changes dramitcally from Shiv ka Grath. With forest Cover changing quickly into Rocky Terrain.
Bharoin Ghati needs to be crossed quickly as its prone for Shooting Stones. Then From Bharoin Ghati we reach Gauri Kund(Pic enclosed). Only Ladies are Allowed to Bath in the same. From Gauri Kund one catch the Frist Glimpse of Manimahesh Kaliash. Provided that Weather is clear. From Gauri Kund there is Further 2 Kms Climb for Holy Manimahesh Lake.. We had reached Manimahesh Lake arnd 5:00 pm there we stayed up with Priest of the temple.
Then Woke up early next Morning took bath in the half frozen Maimahesh Lake(pic Enclosed)& pefromed the Due rituals, also we were blessed with Clear View of the Shiv Ling on Kailash Manimahesh ( pic Enclosed). From Maimahesh Lake there further 1.5 Kms ahead there is Kamal Kund (Lake). Went up there exactly at the Footnote of the Kailash peak. & had a birfs eye view of Manimahesh. Absolutely Sublime view cant describe it. Then trekked back reached Hdsar arnd 4::00 Pm & drove back to Chandigarh reached there by early Morning
Manimahesh Lake :: 13.5 Kms
Bharmani Mata Mandir trek :: 2.5 Kms
Map of the trek enclosed (but not as per scale)

Also this is my First Descriptive Post so any sort of queries & feedback are most welcome

Pics of Manimahesh Lake & Manimahesh Lake

Thanks Balvar
this is very useful info. Please repost the Pics and Trek Map.

Mk

very useful post. so maninahesh cannot be done in one day, i wonder what will happen if the temple accomodation is already full.

Upto July very few People take this trek that means invariably u finsd accomodation. but around Janmasthami in August, there is a week long fair & thousands of people doing this trek

I did this trek last year in October crossing Indrahaar and it was like all frozen (walked in snow just before Gauri kund where route diverts one from Bhairo ghato which was impossible due to glacial snow blocking the way and imprints of bear and her young ones and other one i forgot the name all the way up to the lake ).
The only accomodation we could find was at Dhanchoo where only one person had opened. So I guess there still would be lot of snow but no accomodation but if there is slightest of the possiblities going up I would suggest just do it. It would be rewarding and by the time pilgrims come you see lot of trash there. We were lucky that when we went we could spend 3 hrs there in the tranquality of the Kailash.

I think there will be no problem even during peak season. All the Chaiwala and Dhabawala along the route provide you with a bed and space for around 50/- (at that time). The route will be dotted with human presence all the way.

Glaciers hamper expedition to Manimahesh
Our Correspondent

Chamba, April 20
A group of five tourists from Uttarakhand, who were on their expedition to the famous Manimahesh holy lake, had to shun their mission halfway en route. They had to return from Sundarasi as a sequel to the huge glaciers at Gauri Kund and above which hampered their expedition in Bharmour region of Chamba district yesterday.

These tourists included Raghuvir, Soheel, Rohit, Man Singh and Dev Singh, who met the officials at Bharmour subdivisional headquarters and apprised them about the difficult adventurous experience they faced during the halfway trip.

According to official sources, the fortnight Manimahesh pilgrimage would start on August 24 on the auspicious occasion of Janamasthami. During the fortnight, the pilgrims and devotees of Lord Shiva take a holy dip in the sacred icy waters of Manimahesh Lake at an altitude of 4,170 m and have a vision of Kailash Peak (5,656 m), the abode of Lord Shiva.

Hi Balvar/Rishi,
I plan to do the Manimahesh Trek in Sept end / Oct 1st week. So can u advise me the itinerary to follow and whether it would be possible to reach the lake at that time of the year. Also, is it possible to camp at the lake itself? And how many days will it take for the whole trip ( Chamba to Chamba)

Thanks
Vartika

Hi Vartika,

It can be done in Sept End. Although the ideal time is from June to mod Sep. Iterninary :; one can follow is like u reach Chamba first From Chamba one moves on to Bharmour ( which is about 60 Kms form Chamba). In bahrmour the myth says one need to visit the Bharmani Mata Mandir, its a 2kms trek from Bharmour, also jeep tracj goes for the same.. Then from Bharmour one moves to the base camp of for trek Hadsar. From Hadsar the 13 kms trek for the Manimahesh Starts. The same can be done in two Days. But u need to start early from Hadsar & on can reach the Dal Lake by Late Evening. Also its Possble to Camp alongside the lake. but there is accomdationa vailabsle at the top. the Local Pujari Offers cheap accomdation in his tent only.

Well i am posting some pics of my trip Also. Check out if they can be any help

Thanks for the assistance. Few more queries though. What is the mode of travel from Bharmour to Hadsar. Second, are guides/porters available at Hadsar, or do I have to hire them from Bharmour. Third, what is the probability that I will get the tented accomodation with the pujari at The lake. And last, where is this Dal lake that ur talking of, the same as Manimahesh Lake or does it come enroute and how difficult is the trek??


Thanks
Vartika

See if ur Planning a trip between June & Sep. then there is no need to Hire porters for this particular trek. as there food & available at Dhancoo ( Mid point of the trek). Also Food & accomodation is available at Gauri Kund & Manimahesk Lake. Also the Dal Lake & manimahesh Lake are the same. there one more lake Kamal Kund right at foot note of the Kailash Manimahesh peak

Thanks Balvar. Now what if I want to trek in October 1st week? Where would I get guide and porters? And if I start early, is it possible to reach Manimahesh in a single day? What is the gradient like??


Thanks
Vartika

One can get the porters from Hadsar Village, the loacls would be more than happy to be porters, or u can check get the same from Bharmour. Hdsar is just 15 kms from Bharmour so doesnt make much of a difference. Also u can confirm from hadsar whether the Pujari is still there or not. Well the Climb is Stepp throughout. but i am myself avg Hiking so we usually Complete it in a day. Its 13 Kms one side. with gradiet Being Steep just Before Gauri Kund. But certainly it would be tough to return the same day back. one reach Manimahesh in a day.

Thanks Balvar so much for the guidance and support. I'lll get back to you if I need any further assistance or when I complete the trek and returnn, whichever occurs earlier

Vartika