The Rewalsar lake: Mandi

 

 Serene and Beautiful Rewalsar Lake

“Sar” in Pahari dialect means small floating mounds having grass reeds, specific to the water area, on it—this is how my mother-in-law told me about the naming of the place Rewalsar! The local people, in large numbers, would go to Rewalsar to take bath in the holy water of the lake.

The annual holy expedition would be eagerly awaited by all—from young children to the elderly because of its religious importance for the simple village people.  I was always intrigued by the simple faith of the people who valued simple religious practices above all other things in their life. There was nothing like religious fanatism in their concept of religion and all of them would pay obeisance not only at the Rishi Lomash temple at Rewalsar but with equal devotion would pay respects at the Buddhist monasteries and the gurudwara at Rewalsar.  Situated at an altitude of 1350 meters from the sea level, Rewalsar is at a distance of 25 kms. from Mandi and 60 kms. from Hamirpur.

We started from Hamirpur and the road to Rewalsar made me forget all the worldly problems as I felt like being transported to a different world—a world of yore! No wonders that the movie “Kareeb”, released in 1988, starring  Bobby Deol and  Neha, shot at this picturesque surroundings is remembered for the striking scenic beauty, if not for anything else.  The pristine beauty of the valley and the idealistic dwellings therein made me crave for the idyllic life of the village folks. The lush green valley, sprouted with slate roofed houses with maize corns being dried in the sun, looked like a scene out of a glossy magazine.

Ah! I could make out a huge imposing structure gazing benevolently at the inhabitants of the valley—it was a statue of a Rishi sitting, deep in meditation!

 

The Lake below and the coloured cloth flags hanging around the meandering path around the lake, mesmerized me. The sacred water of the lake was clean and shining in the rays of the Sun. The sacred lake of Rewalsar is revered by the followers of Hindu, Bodhs and Sikhs as each faith has some important connection with the place. The Buddhist monastery dedicated to guru Padmasambhava has a legend about the lake Rewalsar. According to this legend the daughter of Raja Arshdhar of Mandi wanted to be initiated as a disciple of guru Padmasambhava, a Tantric guru. The King and his courtier didn’t want the princess to be initiated in such tantrik practice. The king ordered the burning of the guru Padmasambhava on a pyre but the burning pyre turned into water lake and the guru survived by transforming himself into a lotus flower. It is believed that the tiny islands of the floating reed in the Rewalsar lake have the spirit of guru Padmasambhava.  The Hindus believe guru Padmasambhava to be a manifestation of Lomash rishi and consider this lake a holy pilgrimage place for paying obeisance to Rishi lomash. Every Baisakhi day is a celebration day for Hindus who assemble in large numbers at rewalsar Lake.The Sikh gurudwara situated a little up in the surroundings of lake Rewalsar is dedicated to Sikh faith. It is believed that Guru Gurugobind Singh Ji stayed at this place.Rewalsar lake signifies the unity and love among people having faith is different religions and this belief aims at the universal dharma of humanity that must be followed. It is not only the picturesque beauty of the place that  provides relief to eyes but the deeper beauty signified by the real message of the sacred lake cleanses the minds and souls of visitors.  

Panchvaktra Shiva Temple Mandi

 

The Abode of Shiva–The God of Destruction

Tarna Maa Temple: Mandi

Maa Tarna Temple

Situated high atop the Taarna Hill is the famous Taarna Temple. Situated among dense trees the temple is picturesque and breath catching. It seems as if Maa Taarna keeps a vigil over whole of the Mandi town as almost all parts of the town beneath can be seen from this hill top. There are two ways to reach the temple—the stairs and the motorable road that leads to it. We preferred to take the road and what a road it was. Steep and with blind curves! I was feeling tired but a look downwards at the town would fill me up with vigouor to move still higher and higher.And finally I saw it—a small temple amidst trees. It was late evening and the temple looked bewitching. My heart was filled with devotion and piety little knowing that once   I enter the temple, my heart would overspill with devotion and piety!

When we entered the temple, the priest was preparing for the evening Puja and the serene and tranquil surroundings made the chanting of the mantras before the idol of the Maa Taarna make our hearts bow and souls free of all ill thoughts. The image of Maa is made up of black stone and the Kaali image with gold Tikka and nose ring and with the red tongue protruding out would fill the hearts of the wrong-doers with awe and fear.The Pujari was immersed in chanting mantras and we, too, stood bewitched. All the factors, combined together, made me mesmerized and I literally forgot all that I sought to be bestowed with. The Puja over and we went around the Parikrama and saw the paintings of all the ten Devis in their full glory. I prayed to each on me of them-prayed real hard to help me fight my battle against the injustice and unfair play. And the ferocious yes bewitching idol of Maa Kaali seemed to bestow all that I had come to seek for. I could not take any pictures of the temple as there was a notice prohibiting for the same and taking pictures from outside was not possible as my camera had very low battery.

But it is true that if you desire something real hard, you get it. The next day while I was roaming on the roads of Mandi I met an acquaintance who was on his way to Taarna Maa and he invited me to come along. What more I could ask for and I went to the temple once again and came back more than rewarded. I felt that Maa was extra generous towards me that she provided me with an opportunity to pay obeisance at her temple twice in a short duration of some hours! I took some pictures, though from outside the temple and collected some information about the temple as well.

It is said that Shyam Sen, the King of Mandi who reigned from 1664 AD to 1679 AD got this temple constructed. This temple was known as Kaali Temple but gradually people started to call it Taarna Maa temple based on the name of the hill it is situated on.  There is another folklore about the temple and according to this Kng Balbir Sen of Mandi was imprisoned by Raja Ranjit Singh when the former refused to levy more taxes on his people and the king was very distressed. He used to pray regularly to his Kul-devi Shyama Maa and one day the Devi appeared before him in the form of a small girl. The king took a vow to have a temple constructed when he would return to Mandi. And it is said that he came straight to the temple and started the work of re-decorating the temple.

The decoration of the inner sanctorum of the temple where the idol of the Kaali Maa is positioned, is unparalleled. It is said that nowhere in the country one can find such intricate ornamentation done in gold as one finds on the walls of this temple. The gold work seemed so shining that I could not believe it to be so old. It is because there were hanging cotton balls from the ceiling of th temple which absorb all the dust and smoke from the incenses lighted in the temple. These cotton balls are regularly changed to keep the gold ornamentation work fresh and shining. So much for ingenuity!

The idol of Maa Kaali is three-faced and there is another idol that depicts the Mahishsurmardini form of Maa Kaali. The demon killing Devi that helps to keep the mother earth a safe place for us to dwell in.

The park poutside the temple has a small canteen where we had a hot cup of tea and tehn planned to come down from the stairs. The stairs led us to the centre of the market and honestly speaking it was difficult to believe that a while ago we were so much away from the maddening crowds. The all patronizing Kaali Maa seemed to smile benevolently at all of us, especially me. As I had gone with a special prayer in my heart to bring back peace in my heart, mind and soul by destroying all the evil that surrounded me, and I had a feeling that Maa had listened to my prayer.   

Kali Maa

Kali Maa..

The Shakti…