UpdateBot at 02:03, 15 May 2022

2022-05-15T02:03:50Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Manimahesh Kailash Peak
| photo = Manimahesh kailash.jpg
| photo_caption = Manimahesh Kailash Peak with its serpentine glacier
| elevation_m = 5653
| elevation_ref =
| prominence_m =
| prominence_ref =
| map = India
| map_caption =
| map_size = 300
| label_position = left
| listing =
| translation = Jewel in the crown of Mahesh (Shiva)
| language = [[Sanskrit]]
| location = Himachal Pradesh India
| range = [[Pir Panjal Range]], [[Himalayas]]
| coordinates = {{coord|32|24|06|N|76|40|09|E|type:mountain_region:NP_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| range_coordinates =
| coordinates_ref = [http://wikimapia.org/1482371/Manimahesh-Kailash-5775m]
| first_ascent = 1968<ref name=Kapadia>{{Cite book |last=Kapadia |first=Harish |title=High Himalaya Unknown Valleys |date=March 2002 |pages=167 |isbn=9788173871177 |accessdate=2010-04-24 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KNhJXSjSk70C&pg=PA167}}</ref> (disputed)<ref name=climb>{{Cite web |url=https://www.google.com/search?q=cache:Vd6TA986GyYJ:www.incrediblehimalayas.com/brahmaur-manimahesh-chamba.html+History+of+first+mountain+climb+to+Manimahesh+Kailash+in+Himachal+Pradesh&hl=en&gl=in |title=Trekking Chamba Valley in Himachal Pradesh |accessdate=2010-04-17 |publisher=Himalayan Journeys}}</ref>
| easiest_route = snow/ice climb
}}

The '''Manimahesh Kailash Peak''', {{convert|5653|m|ft}}, also known as '''Chamba Kailash''', which stands towering high over the [[Manimahesh Lake]], is believed to be the abode of [[Lord Shiva]], the ([[Hindu deity]]). It is located in the [[Bharmour]] subdivision of the [[Chamba district]] in the [[Indian state]] of [[Himachal Pradesh]].<ref name=envis>{{Cite web |url=http://cpreecenvis.nic.in/scared_waterbodies_manimahesh.htm |title=Budhil valley, Bharmour (Chamba District), Himachal Pradesh |accessdate=2010-04-16 |publisher=National Informatics Centre |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410063443/http://cpreecenvis.nic.in/scared_waterbodies_manimahesh.htm |archivedate=10 April 2009 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=himachal>{{Cite web |url=http://himachal.nic.in/tour/releg.htm |title=Religious Tourism |accessdate=2010-04-16 |publisher=Himachal; National Informatics Centre |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628184333/http://himachal.nic.in/tour/releg.htm |archivedate=28 June 2010 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The peak is {{convert|26|km|mi}} from Bharmour in the Budhil valley. It is one of the major pilgrimage sites as well as a popular trekking destination in Himachal Pradesh. The Manimahesh Lake is at the base of the Kailash peak at {{convert|3950|m|ft}} and is also held in deep veneration by people of Himachal Pradesh, particularly the [[Gaddi tribe]] of the region. In the month of [[Bhadon]], on the eighth day of the [[new moon]] period a fair is held in the precincts of the lake that attracts thousands of pilgrims.<ref name=Bharati>{{Cite book |last=Bharai |first=K.R. |title=Chamba Himalaya: amazing land, unique culture |pages=165–166 |accessdate=2010-04-16 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VO9cP6LYR8wC&dq=Manimahesh+lake&pg=PA166 |publisher=Indus Publishing |year=2001 |isbn=81-7387-125-6}}</ref><ref name=fair>{{Cite web |url=http://hpchamba.nic.in/Fairs&festivals.htm |title=Fairs in Chamba |work=Mani Mahesh jatra |accessdate=2010-04-17 |publisher=National Informatics Centre |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020827235344/http://hpchamba.nic.in/Fairs%26festivals.htm |archivedate=27 August 2002 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=library>{{Cite web |url=http://library.thinkquest.org/10131/chamba_manimahesh.html |title=Indian Himalayas: Chamba |accessdate=2010-04-17 |publisher=ThinkQuest |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020001553/http://library.thinkquest.org/10131/chamba_manimahesh.html |archive-date=20 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=trek>{{Cite web |url=https://www.google.com/search?q=cache:GBJDeDJneT8J:www.bharmourtreks.com/treks/bharmour_trek1.php%3Fpackage%3DBharmour-Dancho-Manimahesh%2520lake+Budhil+River+source+Manimahesh+Peak&hl=en&gl=in |title=Trek:1. Bharmour – Dancho – Manimahesh Lake |accessdate=2010-04-17}}</ref>

Manimahesh Kailash has not been successfully summitted by mountaineers and is thus remains a virgin peak. An attempt to climb the peak in 1968 by an [[India|Indo]]–Japanese team led by Nandini Patel was aborted. This failure is attributed to the divine prowess of the peak since it is revered as the holy mountain of [[Chamba, Himachal Pradesh|Chamba]] according to the staunch devotees of the Manimahesh Lake and the peak.<ref name=yatra>{{cite web |url=http://himachaltourism.gov.in/post/Manimahesh.aspx |title=Chamba- Manimahesh |accessdate=2010-04-16 |publisher=Tourism Department of Government of Himachal Pradesh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701194057/http://himachaltourism.gov.in/post/Manimahesh.aspx |archive-date=1 July 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The peak is visible from near [[Manimahesh Lake]]. There are two trekking routes to the lake. One is from Hadsar village that is mostly frequented by pilgrims and trekkers. The other route, village Holi, climbs up further and then descends to the lake. There is no other habitation, except for a small village on this route.{{fact|date=May 2022}}

== Legends ==
There are several mythical legends narrated on the sanctity of this peak and the lake at its base.<ref name=envis /><ref name= fair /><ref name=library />

In one popular legend, it is believed that Lord Shiva created Manimahesh after he married Goddess [[Parvati]], who is worshipped as Mata [[Girja]]. There are many other legends narrated linking Lord Shiva and his show of displeasure through avalanches and blizzards that occur in the region.<ref name=envis /><ref name=fair />

According to a local myth, Lord Shiva is believed to reside in Manimahesh Kailash. A rock formation in the form of a [[Lingam|Shivling]] on this mountain is considered as the manifestation of Lord Shiva. The snow field at the base of the mountain is called by the local people as Shiva's [[Chaugan]] (play field).<ref name=Bharati /><ref name=fair />

It is also believed that Manimahesh Kailash is invincible as no one has so far scaled it, in spite of claims to the contrary<ref name=Kapadia /> and the fact that much taller peaks have been scaled, including [[Mount Everest]]. According to one legend, a local tribe, a Gaddi, tried to climb along with a herd of sheep and is believed to have been turned into stone along with his sheep. The series of minor peaks around the principal peak are believed to be the remnants of the shepherd and his sheep.<ref name=Bharati /><ref name=fair />

Another legend narrated is that a snake also attempted to climb the mountain but failed and was converted into stone. Devotees believe that they can view the peak only if the Lord wishes so. Bad weather covering the peak with clouds is also explained as a displeasure of the Lord.<ref name=Bharati /><ref name=fair />

== Geography ==
Manimahesh Kailash or Mountain Kailash is in the watershed of the Budhil valley, which forms part the mid-Himalayan range of hills near Kugti pass and at Harsar. The perpetually snow-covered glacial peak, at the head of its own range, is the source of the sacred lake of Manimahesh situated beneath it. Manimahesh Ganga River originates in a cascade from the lake and joins the Budhil River on its left bank. This hill range is a contiguous spur that conjoins the main range near the Bara Banghal pass of the [[Pir Panjal]] range. After the Budhal River rises from the slopes of the Kukti (Kugati) pass and Bada Bangal pass, the watershed formed by the Budhil and Ravi rivers takes the form of an inverted triangle with its base at Khadamukh. Budhil itself is formed by several streams which rise from different faces of the Manimahesh Kailas peak. The streams which rise from the peak are: the 'Bhujla' (derived from Bhuja meaning the arm) from the left flank of the peak, which meets Bhudil (also spelt Budhal) below Kukti village; the Dhancho nala, rising from the snowy ranges of the southern flank of the peak, flows in northward direction; Androl stream carrying holy waters of the Manimahesh Lake flowing to the north of the peak and through the Barachundi Meadow, the Siv Karotar stream rises from the foot of the peak and joins Androl; and the Gauri stream from the Gauri Kund joins Androl. All these streams constitute the Dhancho nala that confluences with Budhil at Hadsar. In view of so many streams originating from the Manimhesah Peak and the Manimhaesh Lake, and all of which are also linked to legends and the annual yatra pilgrimage, the Budhal or Budhil River is also highly venerated by the Gaddi elders and is nicknamed as 'Bhujl'.<ref name="library" /><ref name=trek /><ref name= Sharma>{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=Kamal Prashad |title=Maṇimahesh Chambā Kailāsh |page=94 |accessdate=2010-04-17 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qFUa0rH0yUcC&dq=Manimahesh+mountain&pg=RA1-PA94 |publisher=Indus Publishing |year=2001 |isbn=81-7387-118-3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hpchamba.nic.in/Rivers.htm |title=Chamba |work=The Budhil |accessdate=2010-04-17 |publisher=National Informatics Centre}}</ref> Pir Pinjal lies in the lesser Himalayan Zone, which forms the central part of the state of Himachal Pradesh. The peak lies along the water shed between the [[Chenab River]] on the one side and [[Ravi River|Ravi]] and [[Beas River|Beas]] on the other side.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/stateplan/sdr_hp/sdr_hpch2.pdf |title=Natural Resources |page=1 |accessdate=2010-04-17 |publisher=Planning Commission}}</ref>

A research study has been carried out on the glacial status of this peak and its range by the [[Geological Survey of India]]. It indicated that the Manimahesh Kailash peak is part of the range, which is {{convert|4.6|km|mi}} long. The average elevation of the studied peaks is {{convert|4960|m|ft}}. The glacial melt from this range flows towards the north and extends over an area of {{convert|4.58|km2|mi2}}. The ice content of the glacier has been assessed as 0.137 cubic km.<ref name=Glacial>{{Cite web |url=http://www.iypeinsa.org/updates-09/art-2.pdf |title=Glaciers |accessdate=2010-04-17 |publisher=Geological Survey of India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726200129/http://www.iypeinsa.org/updates-09/art-2.pdf |archive-date=26 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The composition of this proglacial region is reported to be a mixture of ground/recessional moraines with linear country outcrops protruding out. The glaciation must have extended up to a little downstream of Dhanchu as revealed by the terminal moraine hump. During the last 37 years, the glacier receded by {{convert|1075|m|ft}} with an average retreat of {{convert|29.05|m|ft}}/year. The area vacated is estimated at {{convert|0.679|km2|mi2}}.<ref name=Glacial />

== Climb ==
It is said that no one could climb this pure peak because it is said to be abode by Lord Shiva. Once a Gaddi tried to climb the peak it was believed that he dreamt of Lord Shiva calling him on the peak and Lord Shiva asked him to cut the sheep on every step he takes but asked not to look back. He started to climb the peak steps after steps he kept cutting the lambs he was carrying with him but few steps before reaching the peak he got confused that he was not carrying many sheep he killed and turned back. As soon as he looked back he turned into stone and couldn't climb. Since then, no one has ever tried to climb this peak and thus it is a virgin peak.<ref>html+History+of+first+mountain+climb+to+Manimahesh+Kailash+in+Himachal+Pradesh&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=in|title=Trekking Chamba Valley in Himachal Pradesh|accessdate=2010-04-2010|publisher=Himalayan Journeys}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Bharmour]]
* [[Chamba, Himachal Pradesh]]
* [[Lake Manasarovar]]
* [[Pir Panjal Range]]
* [[Himalaya]]
* [[Manimahesh Lake]]
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

[[Category:Mountains of Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Geography of Chamba district]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Five-thousanders of the Himalayas]]

Manimahesh Kailash Peak - Revision history

UpdateBot at 02:03, 15 May 2022