Mahabgadh Mahadev
Travelogue©Sunita Sharma
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Hello respected readers . Thanks for your continuous support and appreciating my write ups . Today I shall take you to another holy shrine MAHABGADH MAHADEV that I had visited sometime back . Mahabgadh Mahadev Holy Shrine is in Yamkeshwar constituency ,in district Pauri Garhwal , Uttrakhand . Since teenage I had always dreamt of visiting this holy shrine .Lord Shiva heard my wish and the day came at last when we started for the Mahabgadh . Everybody please note down that if you are planning your trip then one should possess all the necessary items before starting the trekking of Mahabgarh as there is no facility around for availing hotels or guest houses . One has to take shelter in the household of villagers . The trekking time can be started from 6A.M and one has to return back before 4.30 P.M only as the area is surrounded with wildlife . Between the whole trekking route there is one big and few small waterfalls therefore moss and algae ,lichens are visible on pathway , trees, rocks . Man-made steps are full of algae making the area very slippery to move at many places. Climbing the hills takes too much time for new climbers and if you are accompanied with young children then be very careful about narrow passage and all the necessary items before making a trip.
The passage is a fascinating kaleidoscope of vibrant flowers, draping orchids, striking moss gardens, dense shrubs and lovely ornamental plants . The sights are pristine due to the mountain’s inaccessibility to casual tourists.
We climb up buttresses and roots sticking out from near vertical rock and soil surfaces, using our hands more than our feet. Some of the tree stumps and roots can be extremely slippery (due to the constant mist), so a good grip is essential.Eventually, I have to trudge in the mud and my shoes turned dark brown. We saw a number of soles littering the trail.Mahabgadh is a nice, pleasant hike, but beginners may find it challenging. Fast hikers can run up and down the track in just three hours but since we took sightseeing gesture, it took us almost five hours to complete the upward climbing . Let me be very clear that going upwards is though tough but tougher is return as walking down on slippery steps and tension of reaching back safely makes it bit more difficult .The magnificent views and lush scenery are well worth the journey up to the peak.
Mahabgarh is not only a holy shrine but place of curiosity for nature lovers who are adventurous , have longingness for trekking and tranquility. For such people it offers breathtaking and jaw-dropping views of Mighty Himalayan mountain peaks of Trishul but before going for its trekking either for adventure or for a visit to holy shrine, first one should go for health checkups because altitude Trek of any type in Himalayas requires considerable fitness . Your body needs to train itself to process more work with lower levels of oxygen . Cardiovascular training before Trek is critically important . Training must include the strength and flexibility workouts.
Brief note on Mahabgadh
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It is stated that Uttarakhand is known as heavenly abode of Gods . Therefore we have numerous temples all situated on high peaks . As we all know that there were 52 gadhs in Uttrakhand , out of them seven were considered as God's favourite destination on Earth . One such place is Mahabgarh that is devoted to the Lord Shiva that comes under Yamkeshwar constituency in Distt Pauri Garhwal , Uttarakhand. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains ranges on all sides. Located On top of a pin-point hill in a beautiful place at an altitude 1650 mtr the famous temple of lord Shiv is known as Mahabgarh Mahadev.. The temple provides a panoramic view all around it. But the beautiful view of Haridwar is worth to see in the night. In the morning the reflection of the hill temple can be seen in the holy Ganga water of Hari ki Pauri, Haridwar. From this top one can have a view of the Greater Himalayas as well. The shrine has its ecological importance too . On the southern side we can see Garud valley the dwelling area of Garud ( Eagle ) who are endangered species now . On southern easternmost side we view front portion of sitting elephant natural rock . From Eastern side river Malini is flowing and from western side river Satedi and Thal nadi are flowing jointly bearing the name of river Rwasan .
Mahabgarh is an ancient Lord Shiva temple situated at Khemdikhal in Dugdda block of Kotdwar Tehsil and district of Pauri Garhwal. It is situated at the altitude of 1650 m above sea level. As per mythology it was the favourite gadh of Maharishi Kashyap( Marichi) and motherland of king Bharat . Mahabgarh is known by different names as per gram Devta Mahadev it was basically gadh of king Bhaandev Singh Aswal and till present Kukreti clan serve here as preist . The temple priest Radhe Lal Kukreti narrates the mythology of Mahabgadh and its holy importance . It is said that family who do not have male child worship Lord Shiva through out Shravan month and when they get blessed then they visit the shrine with their child for the blessings of the well being of the child and his future . This place is so divine for male child that son of Shakuntala and Dushyant became so popular and majestic that our country is known by his name ' Bharat ' . According to folklore King Bharata was born in KanvAshram presently known as Kimsera . Valley of river Malini . Nearby village Bharatpur or Bharpoor is in the foothills of Mahabhgadh which is at considerable height . We went to the highest peak of our area , a temple of Lord Shiva , no place is so beautiful as this one , Goddess Bhagwati also resides here having adjacent temple . At the back of temple of Durga you can clearly see with your artistic vision an idol of elephant image. It seems that temple is situated on the back of the resting elephant, it is marvelous. Some native call the place as HATHITHAN . Shri Mahadev temple is on the highest peak in the Himkoot mountain range a great Himalayas can be seen in the centre of frame which is the place of Lord Shiva and holds great reverence to us. Even for the Thal gend mela the symbolic victory flag is considered auspicious of the Mahabgarh . In the folklore people say that if the teams don't take the flag for blessing then the Mela will turn out to be curse or bad omen taking lives of many people. As the Thal nadi fair has ritual importance and is associated with prestige issue therefore accessorial taboos are strictly followed.
The place is famous for it's peacefulness and tranquility. Shakuntala had spent six years of her lifetime . She gave birth to her son BHARAT who was famous for his bravery acts such as playing with cubs. Later King Dushyant ,his father took them to Hastinapur.Devotees come here to worship Lord Mahadev specially during Shravan month .
On every Shivratri parv a big Pooja as well as a fair is organized here. Thousands of the people from the nearby villages as well as from the cities visit this place. This is very Powerful place and the vibration of energy can be felt after reaching this place. Lots of the devotee who don’t have children, visit this shrine and Mahabgarh Mahadev always fulfill their wishes.
Mahabgadh stands on Hemkoot mountain range and just below we have Bharpur village which was earlier known as Bharatpur in Kalidasa epic .It is stated that during Mahabharata Pandvas worshipped Lord shiva and got his blessings. If we try to understand the topography of the area then we find that on the Western side of Mahabgadh we have villages named mavas, Harshu ,mundgaon and Thal nadi which is famous for it's fair and the only Polytechnic College.
The unique Himalayan ecosystem and the tourism industry is a major contribution to the economy of religious pilgrimage . Now Government of Uttrakhand has declared it as place of tourist importance who has to pay attention to get best preparation for people from out States . Basic needs are in focus such as constant drinking water supply from permanent resource . Lack of basic amenities is yet to be covered . Youth association of Kimsera headed by Harsh Kukreti is in continuous touch with his MLA striving hard for the upliftment of the area so as to make this holy place as popular pilgrims of Uttarakhand . The area is best for studying biodiversity and government should seriously pay it's attention making it tourist attractive place.
How to reach the Holy Shrine
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* Kotdwar * route towards mahabgarh is around 45 km via Road we have Kotdwar dugadda himmanti, kandakhal paukhal Nalikhal,Nathu khal , Kamedikhal Bharapoor. Climbing begins from Kamedikhal by walk ,steep climbing is approx 2km to the holy shrine.
From *Rishikesh* route towards Mahabgadh is around 85kms.Garudchatti, Neelkanth-pepalkoti ,Duelli ,Tunkhal,Amola,Kandi,
Best time of visit
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Mid of February to mid of June and from mid of September to end of November. Though for locals there is no time boundation as they are aware of their natural surroundings .
Happy trekking . Best wishes.
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