MANA - GANESH SHRINE

Lying on the Tibetan border and inhabited mostly by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, this Indian village is famous over centuries as pilgrim centre, luring theists and tourists in large numbers round the year. Its legendary importance too is of no mean distinction. It is from a nearby path of this ancient place, pious devotees have been proceeding to the Kailas mountain on pilgrimage. Moreover it is associated with Maharshi Vyas, the author of several holy treatises in Sanskrit. And said to have dwelt in a nearby nature made, small but sublime cave. It is at this time, Ganapathi, who wrote the classics at the dictation of Bhagawan Vyas lived in another natural cave nearby his master. The cave is called Ganesh Guha. A small shrine was built later in memory of this mighty short statured, port-bellied first son of Adi dampathis - Uma and Maheswar. It is drawing devotees, and their genuine prayers rewarded to their souls' satisfaction.

Another plus pint, that this village claims is the Bhimpul. It has a legend too. According to local version, the route to heaven taken by the Pandavas lay through this village. And the belief is current that the gorge between the mountains at this point was bridged in a trice by an unusually big boulder by Bhima, the strength incarnate. There is a huge lake named after him. With such legendary episodes, this place is casting an inexhaustible charm over the pilgrims going to Badarinath. They invariably visit and pray to Ganesh for comfortable journey to and fro, either traveling in bus or by walk. And this Bhagawan is fulfilling their ardent ambition too.

It is on the way to Badarinath, accessible by bus only. Devout Hindus trek the whole distance.

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