Karsog pandavas temple himachal

Mamaleshwar Temple is a holy place located at Karsog, 13 km from Chindi in Mandi District of
Himachal Pradesh. The presiding deity of the temple is ord !hi"a. Tradition reco#nts that this
temple was $#ilt $y the Panda"as d#ring their period of e%ile.
This temple is famed for its massi"e car"ed wooden pillars, artistic woodwork and car"ed stone
stat#es of deities. The ma&or attractions of the temple are a single grain of wheat weighing a$o#t
'() gm and a temple dr#m meas#ring a$o#t * ft in length.


+n$elie"a$le things and incidents always catch the eyes of the $eholder. ,od has created this
planet earth with n#m$er of $ea#tif#l and e%traordinary things, the secrets $ehind s#ch creations
are yet not disco"ered. Tho#gh science has reached se"eral milestones $#t yet there are
inn#mera$le mysteries of nat#re which are yet not re"ealed. -t has $een rightly said that nat#re
discloses only those things to the h#man which it wants and rest remains the secret fore"er. This
hidden mystery, #ni.#eness makes people feel that nothing is impossi$le.
/ecently - got an opport#nity to "isit s#ch a places "ested with s#ch remarka$le creations of
nat#re. The $est thing was that - was a$le to feel their presence and ha"e a glance at them
thro#gh my own eyes. 0 few days $ack - got a chance to to#r to $ea#tif#l small town known as
Karsog in Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh. -t is $elie"ed that Panda"as of Dwapary#g spent
some part of their e%ile time in Karsog. -t is a place at a distance of a$o#t 1)) kms from the
capital city Shimla. -t is a hilly way from !himla to Karsog with lots of c#r"es and t#rns thro#gh
the mo#ntains. 0s it was the rainy season the "egetation and greenery all ro#nd was at its f#ll
$loom. #ckily - had my co#sin1s ho#se there so there was no pro$lem of staying. The day -
reached Karsog, - was completely restless d#e to the tiring &o#rney. That day - had a complete
rest. 2e%t day - made my plan to "isit the holy temple 3Mamleshwar Temple1 which is $elie"ed
to $e temple since the time of Panda"as. - was totally e%cited to "isit this historic place. -t was at
a distance of ( kms from my place. 4e reached the place and got to see its magnificent and
traditional "iew from o#tside. The "iew was e"en more fantastic when we made the entry inside
it. -t is $asically a temple of ord !hi"a and ,oddess Par"ati. The temple had a n#m$er of
ancient stat#es made of stone of "ario#s deities. The art that these stat#es depicted was
mar"elo#s. These stat#es are also said to $e preser"ed since the time of Panda"as. The main
stat#e is of ord !hi"a and ,oddess Par"ati. -t is $elie"ed that there was a de"il in ancient times
who was gi"en power that if any$ody wo#ld see his face that person wo#ld die there and then.
Many people died when they #sed to enco#nter this de"il. -n order to pro"ide relief to the general
p#$lic, ord !hi"a ga"e him the place $ehind their $ack in this stat#e. !ince then it has $een
residing there and $ack of this stat#e is ne"er re"ealed to any$ody.
There are se"eral strange things of ancient time to acknowledge in this temple. 5ne of
masterpiece of that era is still present in that temple. There is a a "ery large m#sical dr#m, a
length of a$o#t 6 feet and diameter of a$o#t *) inches. The strange thing a$o#t it is the wood o#t
of which is made. -t is made #p of plant with thorns on it known as 37hekal ka Kanta1 in
traditional lang#age and it is hollow from inside. -n present days the ma%im#m diameter it can
ha"e is not more than ') inches. 8o# can mark the difference now that how $ig s#ch a plant was
at that time. -t is $elie"ed that the physically well $#ilt Panda"a, 37him1 #sed to play this dr#m.
0fter looking the dr#m thoro#ghly my eyes st#ck at a f#rnace kind of place where two $ig logs
of wood were slowly and grad#ally $#rning with no flames. - asked a$o#t it from the P#&ari of
the temple. He e%plained the #n$elie"a$le mystery $ehind it. He said that this f#rnace has $een
$#rning since the time of Pand"as and ne"er e%ting#ishes. The only thing they ha"e to do is to
add wood to it. There is no flame in it $#t e"en those $ig logs of wood $#rn #p completely and
t#rn into ashes. That was really astonishing and #n$elie"a$le thing for me. ast $#t not the least,
the thing which kept my eyes wide open was yet to come. The P#&ari of the temple took o#t a
wooden case in which something was kept. !lowly he #nco"ered the paper o"er it and re"ealed
the thing to #s. -t was a thing a$o#t a si9e of an apple with a separation line in $etween. - was not
a$le to identify what it was. - finally asked a$o#t it from the P#&ari. -t was a grain of 4heat. -
was shocked that how come it co#ld $e so $ig. -t was a$o#t (,))) times $ig the si9e of normal
wheat grain. -t was $ecoming diffic#lt to mo"e my eyes away from it. -t was the grain of wheat
of the time of Panda"as. - was really ama9ed $y watching all these things. 0t that point of time -
reali9ed that certainly Himachal Pradesh is the 3and of ,ods1. !e"eral scientists and
archaeologists keep on "isiting this place in order to find o#t the mystery $ehind these strange
things. 7#t they are all left #p with a .#estion mark. -t was a one of my great trips as - saw so
many remarka$le things in s#ch a short span.
- took photographs of all these ama9ing things and in order to show them to yo# all.
- am adding few attachments with this reso#rce showing the photos of all these things.









K0/!5,
A Valley of Myths and Legends
By Mary Parmar
KARSOG, the ea!tif!l owl"sha#ed $alley in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, is f!ll of
myths and legends%
&t is a #lace where each stone, hill slo#e has a tale to tell% 'ach little ri$!let and stream is
g!rgling with some mythological e#isode of the ygone era% (he $alley is s!rro!nded on all
sides y hills, and ato# the hills is the aode of $ario!s devtas and devis li)e the Shi)ari
Mata, *hindi Mata, Kamr!nag, Mah!nag and Kama)sha Mata% &n the la# of the $alley itself is
the tem#le of Mamleshwar% (his tem#le of Lord Shi$a is elie$ed to ha$e een !ilt y the
Panda$as d!ring their #eriod of e+ile%
&t is elie$ed that the word ,Karsog- is deri$ed from two words Kar and Sog i%e% to grie$e or
lament% &t is said that long ago, the mighty Ra)shasa Bhitras!r .some legends mention him
as Ba)as!r/ strayed into this thic)ly #o#!lated area and fo!nd that he wo!ld face no
#rolem in satisfying his h!nger% He decided to stay here and each day ca!ght hold of
#eo#le and cattle and ate them% (he hel#less #eo#le were finally ale to reach an agreement
as #er which each day a #erson had to ta)e to the demon a as)etf!ll of hill delicacies and
also e his meal% So each day, there was a lot of grie$ing and wee#ing, i%e% Sog% (h!s the
area came to e )nown as Karsog.

0!ring these days the Panda$as
were in e+ile% Bhima, on hearing the
so!nd of wee#ing from a ho!se,
en1!ired ao!t the ca!se of
grie$ing% (he old women of the
ho!se told Bhima that it was the
t!rn of her only son to e the meal
of the demon% Bhima #acified the
old women and said that he wo!ld
go to the demon instead of her son%
So ta)ing all the food #re#ared y
the women, he #roceeded to the
ca$e of Bhitras!r% (here he ate !# all the delicacies #re#ared y the old women%
2inally, when the demon wo)e !# to ha$e his dinner he was annoyed to find no
dinner% B!t there sat Bhima with a sm!g loo) on his face% Bhitras!r was annoyed
and started eating his em#ty stomach which so!nded li)e the eat of a h!ndred
dr!ms% He demanded his food from Bhima% Bhima calmly told him that he had
eaten !# all the food% (he demon as f!rio!s and fl!ng himself at Bhima and a
great fight ens!ed% Bhima slew Bhitras!r and drew o!t his li$er and threw it%
3ow, near the tem#le of Bhooteshwar at Alad lies a li$er"sha#ed stone% Before
dying, Bhitras!r e+#ressed his wish to e rememered for time immemorial% So,
in the tem#le of Mamleshwar !ilt y the Panda$as, is the dhoona in a hollow
#lace where logs are !rnt thro!gho!t the day and night% Before dying, Bhitras!r
told 4!dhishthira that his s#irit wo!ld not e free as eing the master of the
shamshan ad5!nct to the tem#le of Bhooteshwar, he !sed to acce#t the odies of
dead #ersons !t now Bhima had )illed him in his own territory and there wo!ld
e noody to ta)e care of his d!ties% 4!dhishthira #romised that his d!ties wo!ld
e d!ly ta)en care of and e$en to this day if the shamshan near the tem#le goes
witho!t recei$ing a ody, a f!neral #yre is lit !# of straws and the last rites are
#erformed%
&n the tem#le of Bhooteshwar is the fi$e"faced idol of Lord Shi$a and ehind it is
the idol of Maha)al, which is )e#t hidden% &t is the elief that if one loo)s at it,
one will die% '$en the poojari worshi#s it with his face t!rned away% (he
shamshan sthal is also !sed for tantrik kriya.
Another tale is ao!t the marriage
of Bhima with Hidima% (he #lace
Mamel is said to ha$e een deri$ed
from mallyudha which is said to
ha$e ta)en #lace etween Bhima
and the demon Hadim% &t is elie$ed
that while the Panda$as were
wandering in the wilderness of
Karsog, K!nti, tired and e+ha!sted,
as)ed Bhima to get some water%
Bhima went in search of water and
came to a clear #ond some distance
away from the #lace where the #resent tem#le of Mamleshwar is sit!ated% After
athing, he washed his dhoti and soa)ed it with water to carry it to K!nti to
drin)% 6hile Bhima was athing, Hidima, the rakshasni ha##ened to #ass y
and, smelling h!man flesh, was drawn to Bhima% Hadima fell in lo$e with him and
decided to marry him% 0isg!ising herself as a ea!tif!l damsel, she a##roached
Bhima and warned him ao!t her rother Hadim and as)ed him to flee%
Bhima ref!sed to lea$e% &n the meanwhile, Hadim too reached the #lace and,
sensing the desire of his sister, attac)ed Bhima% (h!s, a mallayudha ens!ed and
Hadim was )illed%
After )illing Hadim, Bhima #roceeded to meet his mother K!nti accom#anied y
Hidima% Hidima fell at K!nti-s feet and im#lored her to gi$e #ermission to
marry Bhima% K!nti was hesitant and said that in this #eriod of wandering and
des#air, her sons were her only solace and that she co!ld not #art with them%
Hadima said, 7Mother, yo!r son will always e with yo!% & will not )ee# him%7 So
K!nti ga$e her #ermission for the marriage and Hadima ore a son, Ghatot)acha,
who fo!ght for the Panda$as in the Mahaharata% Hidima roamed ao!t the hills
and $alleys of Mandi and the ad5oining K!l! region where there is an ancient
tem#le dedicated to her%
(here are scores of other legends associated with the enchanting Karsog% (he
#resent area of Karsog is #art of the erstwhile S!)et )ingdom which traces its
roots to the Vedic #eriod% (he im#rint of the Vedic age can e seen not only on
the ancient tem#les, !t also on the traditions and c!stoms followed to this day%
(his remote area has een ale to retain most of its !ni1!e c!lt!ral heritage% B!t
now with the in$asion of modern comm!nication, technologies and etter road
and tra$el facilities, the area has o#ened !# to the o!tside world and changes are
e$ident% Howe$er, the #eo#le are still stee#ed in dee# religio!s and ancient
eliefs and ha$e !nflinching faith in their local gods and goddesses%
Peo#le ha$e great elief in tantrik vidya and jadoo mantra% (o c!re any #hysical
or #sychological ailment hel# from the devtas as well as tantriks is so!ght% (he
ghoor or the chelas of the devta ha$e an im#ortant role to #lay in the li$es of the
#eo#le%
Karsog is also elie$ed to ha$e n!mero!s s#irits 8 some e$il and some good%
(he Kali (amsheera, for e+am#le, frightens the she#herds and the cattle in the
5!ngle% (he 4ogmarg eliminates ghosts and is considered to e the avtar of
Han!man% (he Battad is res#onsile for rodent infestation in the ho!se, P!tna
ca!ses harm and illness to small children and the dhoomri jhoor is the devta of
storm and rain% (o gain res#ite from the rain and storm, the devtas hel# and
lessings is so!ght% (he 3arsing devta is considered the avtar of Vishn! and
resides in all homes% (he Veer 9ogni is worshi##ed y tantriks and so is the
Maha)al%








REWALSAR
LOCATION: ': kms. from Mandi.
/ewalsar is e.#ally sacred to Hind#s, !ikhs ;
7#ddhists. -t was from this place that Padam !am$ha"a,
a 9ealo#s teacher ; 7#ddhist missionary left for Ti$et to
preach his new doctrine of 7#ddhism. The Hind#s
$elie"e that it was here that /ishi omas did his penance in de"otion to ord !hi"a. /ewalsar is
important to the !ikhs who ha"e a ,#r#dwara $#ilt in commemoration of ,#r# ,o$ind !ingh<s
"isit to this place. -t is a "ery sacred place for the 7h#tanese, who are following this doctrine of
religion as their !tate /eligion. !o there is a temple, gompa and g#r#dwara, $esides the holy lake
with floating islands.
Where to Stay : =orest /est Ho#se > Pri"ate Hotels
JANJEHLI
LOCATION: 0t a distance of *6 kms. from Mandi.
-t has all the elements that make it a paradise for
trekkers. -t offers paths #nder thick deodar forests,
$ea#tif#l scenery, water falls and springs
Where to Stay : P4D /est Ho#se
PRASHER LAKE
LOCATION: :) Kms north of Mandi
The $ea#tif#l Prashar ake is located high in the
mo#ntains. -t is here that the sage Prashar is said to
ha"e meditated. 5n the lake<s edge is a three storied
Pagoda>like temple dedicated to the sage. Capped with a roof of slate tiles, the temple has a
wealth of wood car"ings. 0n old temple, it is said to ha"e $een $#ilt $y /a&a 7an !en of Mandi
in the 1:th cent#ry. 0n entire panorama of snowy mo#ntain ranges is "isi$le from this location.
Where to Stay : =orest /est Ho#se
room at lake shed
inside the temple
BAROT
LOCATION: ?#st :) kms. $y road and 1' kms. $y
Ha#lage Trolley from ?ogindernagar.
7arot packs an enormo#s range of o#t door acti"ities.
The reser"oir of the ?oginder 2agar Hydel Power Pro&ect
is located here. 0 tro#t $reeding centre, makes it a
wonderf#l place for angling. 0cross the ri"er +hl is the
2arg# 4ildlife !anct#ary>home to the ,horal,
Himalayan $lack $ear and a "ariety of pheasants. 0 trek ro#te thro#gh thick forests links 7arot to
K#ll#.
SHIKARI DEVI
LOCATION: There are two approaches, one thro#gh
?an&ehali and the other thro#gh Karsog.
Trekking Paths thro#gh woods of assorted trees and
shr#$s>which incl#de se"eral medicinal her$s>two
seperate trek ro#tes lead #p to this ancient shrine which
crowns the top of a hill. H#nters in the area once prayed
to the goddess for s#ccess in their h#nt and here perhaps,
lies the origin of the name @!hikari De"i@. The goddess is worshipped in the form of a stone
image. -nterestingly, the temple which is said to ha"e $een in e%istence since the time of the
Panda"as, has no roof, for local legend has it, that all attempts to $#ild one ha"e $een
#ns#ccessf#l.


JHATINGRI
LOCATION: -t is sit#ated on ,hogar Dhar at an ele"ation of
*,*)) feet. -t is 1' kms. from ?oginder 2agar.-t is easily
accessi$le from +rla in Mandi Pathankot 2ational Highway.
There are $ea#tif#l deodar and $l#e pine forests. The spot
infolds $reath taking "istas of the "alleys $elow.
Where to Stay : =orest /est Ho#se
KARSOG
LOCATION: Karsog is !#$>Di"isional head .#arter of
Mandi district at the height of 3() mtrs.
-t is famo#s for Mamleshwar Mahade", Kamksha De"i
and Mah#nag temples. -t is f#ll of scenic $ea#ty and
a$#ndance of apple orchards.
Where to Stay : =orest /est Ho#se > P4D /est
Ho#se > Pri"ate Hotels
PANJAIN THACH
LOCATION: 6( Kms from Mandi "ia 7ali Chowki.
These are two "illages sit#ated in the middle of thick
forests of deodar, pine and tosh trees. 7oth "illages offer
$ea#tif#l scenery and $ase camps for ad"ent#re lo"ing
to#rists.
Where to Stay : =orest /est Ho#se
GADDA GUSAINI
LOCATION:
The "alley is "irgin and has not $een e%plored $y many
ad"ent#re lo"ing to#rists. 5ne finds nat#re at its $est
offering $ea#tif#l s#rro#ndings, green forests and
poll#tion free en"ironment. Madhop#r =ort was also
$#ilt $y former r#lers of Mandi district who had kept
their arms and amm#nition in it. 7esides the fort was
#sed as p#nishment to hardcore criminals in the state. 5ne more fort named T#ngasi was $#ilt in
the "alley and the remains of the fort are still "isi$le.
Where to Stay : =orest /est Ho#se Ain 7alichowkiB > P4D /est Ho#se Ain 7an&ar>K#ll#
districtB
TATTA PANI
LOCATION: 1(( kms. from Mandi and () kms. from !himla.
-t is a deep scenic "alley and s#rro#nded $y high hills, Tattapani is famo#s for its hot s#lphar
springs > noted for therape#tic powers. : kms from Tattapani is a recently disco"ered !hi"a ,#fa
which has created a lot of an%iety among local pop#lace and researchers.
Where to Stay : P4D /est Ho#se > HPTDC Hotel > Pri"ate Hotels
JOGINDERNAGAR
LOCATION: (* kms. from Mandi.
-n 1C'(, the enterprising /a&a ?oginder !en of Mandi created
an ela$orate hydel power scheme near the "illage of
!#kra$atti > which was then renamed ?oginder 2agar after
him. 0fter t#nnelling and piping the water o"er se"eral
kilometers from the ri"er +hl to ?oginder 2agar, the power
ho#se at !hanan was $#ilt $y a team of engineers. ?oginder 2agar<s attractions incl#de the
Machhiyal lake, the 7assi Power Ho#se, ,#mma and the ha#lage trolley.
Where to Stay : P4D /est Ho#se > HPTDC Hotel > Pri"ate Hotels
CHINDI RESORT
LOCATION: It is located at Chindi in Karsog Valley.
!it#ated o"er a ridge in Karsog "alley with spectac#lar "iew
of range of mo#ntains on $oth sides, the place is famo#s for
apple orchards and $ea#tif#l sceneries and dense forests of
deodar and pine.
Where to Stay : P4D /est Ho#se
HIMACHAL DARSHAN PHOTO
GALLERY
LOCATION: !it#ated at a$o#t : kms from Mandi
towards K#ll# on the Chandigarh>Manali 2ational
highway.
This art gallery contains a $ea#tif#l collection of
photographs of e%otic locations of the entire state and
reflects the social ; c#lt#ral heritage of the people of
Himachal Pradesh.
Where to Stay : P4D /est Ho#se > HPTDC Hotel > Pri"ate Hotels