Manikaran (Hindi: मणिकर्ण) is located in the Parvati Valley between the rivers Beas and Parvati, northeast of Bhuntar in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh. It is at an altitude of 1760 m and is located about 45 km from Kullu.

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Manikaran is a pilgrimage centre for Hindus and Sikhs.  Both Hindi and Sikhs have their own belifes.  Manikaran is famous for  many temples and a gurudwara. There are temples of Lord Rama, Krishna, and Vishnu. The area is well-known for its hot springs and its beautiful landscape.

According to legend, when Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati were walking in the valley, Parvati dropped one of her earrings. The jewel was seized by Shesha, the serpent deity, who then disappeared into the earth with it. Shesha only surrendered the jewel when Shiva performed the cosmic dance, the Tandava and shot the jewel up through the water. Apparently, jewels continued to be thrown up in the waters at Manikaran until the earthquake of 1905.

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Sikh belief

According to sikhs, during third Udasi, Guru Nanak Dev ji came to this place in 15 Asu 1574 Bikrami with his disciples Bhai Bala & Bhai Mardana.Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji was with his Sikhs in the Himalaya mountains of India. His sikhs were hungry and there was no food. Guru Nanak sent his good Friend Bhai Mardana to collect food for langar (the Community Kitchen). Many people donated rice and flour(atta) to make parsadas (bread). The one problem was that there was no fire to cook the food. Guru Nanak than lifted a rock and a hot spring(hot water) appeared. The sikhs were able to make rice and beans. Bhai Mardana was having trouble making Chapatis because they kept sinking. Bhai Mardana said I am going to donate my life in the name of God. The parsada amazingly floated. Guru Nanak Dev Ji said that anyone who donates his life in the name of God, All his(or her) drowned items float. This was a miracle.

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Hindu belief

The legend of Manikaran states that while roaming around, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, once chanced upon a place that was surrounded by mountains and was lush green. Enamoured by the beauty of the place, they decided to spend some time there. It is believed that they actually spent eleven hundred years here.

During their stay here, Goddess Parvati lost her mani in the waters of a stream. Upset over the loss, she asked Shiva to retrieve it. Lord Shiva commanded his attendant to find out the mani for Parvati, however, when they failed, he was extremely angry. He opened his third eye, a tremendously inauspicious event which led to disturbances in the universe. An appeal was made before the serpent god, Sheshnag, to pacify Lord Shiva. Sheshnag hissed thereby giving rise to a flow of boiling water. The water spread over the entire area resulting in the emergence of precious stones of the type Goddess Parvati had lost. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were happy at the outcome.

Sikh pilgrimage

Manikaran is an extremely sacred place for the Sikh population of the country since it is believed that Guru Nanak Dev paid a visit here. The record of this can be found in the Janam Sakhi or the Twarikh Guru Khalsa (by Giani Gian). There is a mention that along with his disciple Bhai Mardana, Guru Nanak came down to this place after visiting Kalanaur, Gurdaspur, Dasuya, Triloknath, Palampur, Kangra, Mandi, Chamba and Kulu and Bijli Mahadev. He was also accompanied by five of his followers or ‘piaras’.

Lord Ramchandra Temple at ManiKaran

This is perhaps the most important temple of Manikaran. The temple was constructed by Raja Jagat Singh in the 17th century. Though there is no historical evidence backing, still the idol of Shri Ram installed here is believed to have been brought straight from Ayodhya. An idol of Rama’s younger brother, Laksmana was also supposed to be there, however, it has now nowhere to be seen. An idol of Goddess Sita accompanies that of Lord Rama. The temple was renovated by Raja Dilip Singh in the year 1889. Though the history of the temple is inscribed in a stone of walls, yet nothing is visible. Today, the temple is been looked after by a trust. There are three halls and forty rooms in the temple complex, specially meant for the visiting devotees. A lungar is organised to distribute food to the devotees.

Temple of Lord Shiva at Manikaran

This temple is hugely revered as it belongs to Lord Shiva. However, an earthquake in the 1905 caused a bit of damage to the temple and it got slightly tilted. The importance of Manikaran is also judged from the fact that devtas of Kullu valley pay regular visit to this place on specified date.

Location:      Near the Eastern Banks of Yamuna
Ideal Time to Visit:     Anytime round the year, 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM
How to Reach:     Hire a cab or Auto from the hotel

Dwarkadhish Temple is not only an important temple of Mathura but also of India. Built in 1814, Dwarkadhish Temple is situated in the heart of the city of Mathura. Dwarkadhish Temple that is currently managed by the followers of the Vallabhacharya sect is the most visited temple in Mathura. Located in the eastern part of Mathura, not far from the Yamuna River, the temple is architecturally very interesting.

One Seth Gokul Das Parikh who was the treasurer of the estate of Gwalior built Dwarkadhish temple that is dedicated to Lord Krishna. He is supposed to be a staunch devotee of Lord Krishna. An excellent work of art, the interiors of the temple include images of the Lord Krishna, his beloved Radha and other Hindu deities. The architecture of the temple has elements of local art and aesthetics. The temple carving and paintings are major attractions. The temple is a hub of activity during the festive days of Holi, Janmashtmi and Dipawali.

About Mathura

Kusum Sarovar made of red sandstone is a major attraction in Mathura Mathura is better known as the birth place of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna was borne in prison which today lies in Sri Krishna Janamabhumi, a vast temple complex in the heart of Mathura. Located on the west banks of the sacred Yamuna, Mathura is fifty-six kilometers away from Agra and is at a distance of hundred and forty five kilometers from Delhi. Mathura is dotted with several significant landmark associated with the life and times of Lord Krishna. The Dwarkhadhesh temple, the Kansa Qila, the Sati Burj and the Jama Masjid are some of the major tourist attractions of Mathura.

Pic by :  Swami Gaurangapada

Pic by :  Swami Gaurangapada

JESAL – TORAL ( ANJAR KUTCHH )

Couple “Jesal” and “Toral”. Jesal was famous bandit of kutch, and toral was a holy princess. The company of toral changed the jesal and he became the saint. Together they served the people in kutch. This fare is held at “anjar” 45 kms. From “bhuj”, this fare is also one of the most famous and worth watching.

Image credit : YOGESH MASURIA

Here goes the story of Jesal Toral.

According to Darshana Dholakia lecturer at Lalan College Bhuj back in 1526 AD this is a story of a dacoit and a queen. Jesal was a Kutchi rajkot and he was dacoit.  Once he was challenge by his brothers wife that if he is brave enough steal the toral and prove it. Toral was extraordinary mare belonging to a Surashtra king. In the process of stealing Toral, Jesal’s hand got caught in a nail and his agonised cries brought the king running outside. Asked what he wanted, Jesal said “Toral”, not knowing that the queen too had the same name. The king, a devout daani (donor) who had sworn never to disappoint anyone, gave him three Torals-his queen, the mare and a sword by that name. But on the boat journey back home, Jesal realised that Toral was not an ordinary woman. He was tormented by guilt at having taken away someone who, out of loyalty, did not even question her husband’s decision. It is said that the enlightened company of Queen Toral, remembered in Gujarati literature as a devotional poet who composed and sang songs, transformed Jesal completely and the two began spreading the message of God.
Their inseparable companionship as teacher and disciple is talked about, but in cautious tones. No one, not even the local scholars, wants to discuss the Jesal-Toral alliance as a man-woman relationship. “Even the Gujarati film Jesal-Toral did not suggest any such angle,” recalls photographer Vinay Thacker, who started his career in 1976 by selling photos of the twin samadhis outside the shrine. However, people do accept their unusual affinity, which even death couldn’t change. It is said that when Jesal undertook samadhi, he called out to Toral from his grave to join him. Toral, who was travelling, heard his voice, came back to Anjar and immediately took samadhi. Toral, the mare, too was buried outside the temple. A green and magenta chaddar now covers the equestrian grave. The destroyed roof of the shrine has been temporarily replaced with an asbestos sheet. But that hasn’t stopped the huge throng of pilgrims who pour out endless tales of miracles attributed to the blessings of Jesal-Toral. Thacker believes that his photography has been blessed by the shrine. An old priestess recalls how she stood unmoving, hands folded during both the earthquakes at the samadhis. “Toral rani saved me, I didn’t even sustain a scratch,” she says. A woman from Patna says she gave birth to two sons after 16 years of marriage, following a visit to the shrine.

Courtesy :  http://archives.digitaltoday.in/indiatoday/20031215/offtrack.html