Kullu Dushehra

The week long Kullu Dussehra festival was concluded on 4th October . I got a chance to visit the closing ceremony. Here are some photos of the colorful festival which I captured in my camera while watching the great procession of Rath Yatra of Raghunath Ji along with more than 200 local deities of Kullu valley. It is an amazing view to see all local deities covered in colorful clothes together on the famous Dhalpur Ground where the festival is organized

Great Himalayan National Park

Last one month was very busy and I was too tired to update my blog as often as I want to. However during this period I visited so many areas of Great Himalayan National Park and other areas of Kullu and Mandi district . Last month I along with field staff of National Park trekked Tirthan area ( origin of Tirthan river ) of Great Himalayan National Park . It was 5 day trek and we travelled around 125 km in the interior areas of park . It was nice experience as terrain was difficult but it was very beautiful and full of surprises . We also spotted few wild animals including Western Tragopan but I could not take their photos

However I captured various shades of nature in my camera .

Gusaini Temple

Temporary bridge Near Rolla

view from Nada thach ( Altitude 3200 mt )

View from Majhoni ( 2nd day camping place , altitude 3500 mt )

Bhimdwara ( near tirthan )

Origin of tirthan river

View from Rohtang Pass

Recently I visited Rohtang Pass area , a very famous tourist destination . View of trans- himalayas from here is breathtaking .

Banjar Fair

The Banjar Fair is the biggest fair of Banjar Valley and is held on the 2nd of Jyestha (Hindu month, which falls between second half of May and first half of June) every year and it is dedicated to the Shringa Rishi , patron deity of the Banjar Valley. A day before the festival begins, the idol of Shringa Rishi is carried in a palanquin to his original abode and moved back to Banjar the next day. Earlier this fair was also famous for the trading of minor forest produce

Eco-Tourism in Himachal

Eco Tourism Site of Forest Development Corporation

(Near Jalori Pass)

Recently I visited Sojha , Jalori pass, Saryulsar lake and Khanag areas of Kullu district . These are one of the most beautiful spots with scenic beauty scattered all around. These places have potential for good Eco- Tourism sites.

Sojha

This place is about 70 kms from Kullu in the tranquilty of Himalayas. Here Forest Rest House is surrounded by beautiful Deodar forests and Forest Department is developing this site for Eco - Tourism.

View from Sojha

Jalori Pass ( Altitude 10,000 ft.)

View from Jalori Pass

Saryulsar Lake

It is situated around 7 km from Jalori pass at an altitude of 11000 ft . It is a religious place and water of lake is very clean and there was not even a single leaf . There is an interesting story about it that if any leaf falls in lake it is immediately picked by the birds around. So the lake water is always clean and transparent.

Budhi Nagin Temple near Saryulser Lake


Lambri Pass - View from Saryulser Lake


Khanag P.W.D. Rest House

Shikari Devi Temple and Sanctuary

The Shikari Devi temple is devoted to Shikari Devi , the Goddess reverred in the form of stone idol. Hunters in the area once prayed to the goddess for success in their hunt and here perhaps, lies the origin of the name "Shikari Devi". Interestingly, the temple which is said to have been in existence since the time of the Pandavas, has no roof . Temple is situated at the top of the hill and surrounded by thick Oak and Coniferous forests . The altitude is more than 3200 meter . From Janjehli , a picturesque village the distance of temple is 16 km and road passes through Shikari Devi Sanctuary .

Shikari Devi temple

view of Shikari Devi Sanctuary

Janjehli village

Rewalsar Lake

Rewalsar lake is sacred to Buddhists, Sikhs and Hindus . For Tibetan Buddhists, Rewalsar is one of the places visited by Acharya Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) on his mission to spread the dharma, while for Sikhs it’s associated with the life of Guru Gobind Singh. Shiva temple is holy place for Hindus

Rewalsar Monestry

Rewalsar is very important place in Tibetan Buddhism and this place is famous for the temple of Great Guru Padmasambhav or Guru Rinpoche who occupies a highly respectable place in Tibetan Buddhism as the second Buddha . The story of Rewalsar lake is like this - In the beginning of 8th century AD Acharya Padmasambhav was teaching dakinis and his devotees on how to achieve the liberation through the supernatural power at the bank of the lake called Dhanakosha in Odiyana. Through his eyes of Dharamkaya , he saw that Sahor , the prosperous kingdom in the western Himalayan region could be developed into a centre for yogas . One day , he in order to initiate the princess of the kingdom into Buddhism reached Sahor . But , then the king simply relying on the rumours , burned Acharya Padmasambhav alive at Rewalsar in Sahor .However Acharya transformed the raging flames into a clean and deep lake and he manifested himself seating on the lotus petals. The king who was extremely impressed by his supernatural power came with his minister and public and accepted his divine teaching .

It is firmly believed that those who visit this holy lake and pays reverence towards Acharya Padmasambhav , his or her life certainly become meaningful by gaining wisdom, and eventually the state of Enlightenment.

Rewalsar Gurudwara

Rewalsar Zoo