Manimahesh Kailash Peak

Manimahesh Kailash Peak
Highest point
Elevation5,653 m (18,547 ft)
Coordinates32°24′06″N 76°40′09″E / 32.40167°N 76.66917°E / 32.40167; 76.66917[1]
Naming
English translationJewel in the crown of Mahesh (Shiva)
Language of nameSanskrit
Geography
Manimahesh Kailash Peak is located in Himachal Pradesh
Manimahesh Kailash Peak
Manimahesh Kailash Peak
Himachal Pradesh India
Parent rangePir Panjal Range, Himalayas
Climbing
First ascent1968[1] (disputed)[2]
Easiest routesnow/ice climb

The Manimahesh Kailash Peak, 5,653 metres (18,547 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.[3][4] It is the fifth most important peak among the group of five separate peaks in Himalayas in separate locations collectively known as the Panch Kailash or "Five Kailashas", other being Mount Kailash in first place, Adi Kailash in second, Shikhar Kailash (Shrikhand Mahadev Kailash) in third, and Kinnaur Kailash in fouth place in terms of importance.[5] The peak is 26 kilometres (16 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 3,950 metres (12,960 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.[6][7][8][9]

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 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 according to the staunch devotees of the Manimahesh Lake and the peak.[10]

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.[citation needed]

  1. ^ Kapadia, Harish (March 2002). High Himalaya Unknown Valleys. p. 167. ISBN 9788173871177. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  2. ^ "Trekking Chamba Valley in Himachal Pradesh". Himalayan Journeys. Archived from the original on 24 November 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
  3. ^ "Budhil valley, Bharmour (Chamba District), Himachal Pradesh". National Informatics Centre. Archived from the original on 10 April 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  4. ^ "Religious Tourism". Himachal; National Informatics Centre. Archived from the original on 28 June 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  5. ^ Adi Kailash: पंच कैलाशों में दूसरा प्रमुख धाम है "आदि कैलाश", शिव-पार्वती के इस धाम का 1990 में हुआ था सर्वे, Amarujala, 11 October 2023.
  6. ^ Bharai, K.R. (2001). Chamba Himalaya: amazing land, unique culture. Indus Publishing. pp. 165–166. ISBN 81-7387-125-6. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  7. ^ "Fairs in Chamba". Mani Mahesh jatra. National Informatics Centre. Archived from the original on 27 August 2002. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
  8. ^ "Indian Himalayas: Chamba". ThinkQuest. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
  9. ^ "Trek:1. Bharmour – Dancho – Manimahesh Lake". Retrieved 17 April 2010.[dead link‍]
  10. ^ "Chamba- Manimahesh". Tourism Department of Government of Himachal Pradesh. Archived from the original on 1 July 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2010.