TEMPLES & CULTURE OF BHARMOUR.....SHIV BHOOMI.....

2012-04-03T05:01:00.000-07:00

About me.......

This

Site Developed by Er. Ashwani Sharma

Gender:-	Male
Industry:-	Engineering
Occupation:-	Engineer (Electronics & Communication
Location:-	Ranuh-Kothi (Bharmour) H.P.
Introduction:-	Hii friend I am Ashwani Sharma Bascially from Ranuh-Kothi (Bharmour)presently I m doing Govt. job in department of Information Technology Govt. of India As a Additional Programmer Officer Sirmour at Nahan in Himachal Pradesh. And also doing M.tech in electronics & communication engineer from chandigarh......
Interests:-	Reading news papers, pd, Current Affiar, Core Field Expert, Chating with friends,Radio Frequency & Drive Test Engineer,Telecom Engineer,R&D (Electronics) Class One Job (govt) Prefer...
Favourite Films:-	kkhh, harry porter, titanic, dabang,rhtdm, etc
Favourite Music:-	english songs, eminem, avril, alizze, linkin park,justein bebier,kettey party, lady gaga, pahari songs, hindi songs etc...
Favourite Books:-	PD, ELEC & COMM ENGG, DSP, DIGITAL ELECTRONICS, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, ANTENNA & WAVE PROPAGATION, TV ENGG..

2012-04-03T04:58:00.002-07:00

GADDI'S OF BHARMOUR:-

The word Gaddi means ‘seat’ and since Bharmour was the seat of the emperor of Chamba, all the people of the Gadheran called themselves Gaddies. The "Gaddi" are a tribe living mainly in the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir. The Gaddies are Hindus and belong to several castes including Brahmin, Rajputs, Dhangar, Khatri, Rana and Thakur. Gaddies are widely respected for their honesty, friendliness and peaceful lifestyle. They have great faith in Gods and Goddesses especially Lord Shiva. The language spoken within the tribe is Gaddi.
Old people used the Taakri script. Crime is almost unknown in Gaddi villages. Gaddi is a generic term used for all of the indigenous population of the Bharmour area of Chamba district and some regions of Jammu and Kashmir. The Gaddis include the Savarnas such as Brahman, Rajputs, Khatri, Thakur Rathi and the non–Savarnas like Hali, Rihare and Dom. Although all are categorized as scheduled tribe by virtue of their living in a scheduled area, the non-Savarnas are also included separately as scheduled caste.
Traditionally domiciled on both sides of the Dhauladhar Range in Himachal Pradesh. They reside mostly in the Bharmour region of Chamba District, in the upper reaches of the Ravi River and the valleys of the Budhil River. They are also found in the Kangra district, particularly in the villages like Palampur, Draman, Nurpur, Shahpur and Dharmashala. The Gaddis are not fully nomadic, since they have homes in villages; Gaddies are shepherd and generally travel with their flocks to higher reaches in the summer and lower areas in winter. Mainly they travel Lauhal & Spiti in summer, Kangra and other lower district of Himachal even in Punjab in winter with their folks. Over a period of time they have settled down and practice agriculture. Horticulture in the area has been quite successful in the recent years. Red Royal Apple, golden apple and Chestnut grown in the area is one of the best varieties in the world.

INTRODUCTION TO BHARMOUR:-

Bharmour, anciently known as Brahmpura, was the ancient capital of Chamba, Himachal Pradesh (India) till 920 AD. Bharmour is situated in Budhil and Ravi valley between North latitude 32° 15' 36? and 32.26° and East longitude 76° 19' 12? and 76.32°at altitude of 2195 meters from sea level forty miles to the south-east of Chamba.
Bharmour is also popular because of its proximity with Manimahesh Lake, Manimahesh Kailash and Chaurasi (84) ancient temples, which are reflecting the glorious past of this hidden town. Bharmour is also known as the Abode of Shiva as there are numerous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in and nearby regions The whole region around Bharmour is considered to be under the control of Lord Shiva, hence is also known as the Shiv Bhumi..This place besides being an aesthetic and scenic beauty is also spiritual in essence.
The old archaeological remains are said to be the temples in and around the area. Bharmour is inhabited by Gaddies (Shepherd) who reside exclusively on the snowy ranges and mountains which divide Chamba from Kangra and Lauhal & Spiti district.
Gaddis are semi-nomadic and partial pastoral tribes. Being the home of an interesting Gaddi tribe Bharmour is also known as Gadheran in Kangra district. The place is also known for its red delicious apples, medicinal herbs, hidden treasures and warm woolen blankets.

DISTANCES FROM NEAREST CITIES:-

Chamba (District Headquarter) 64 km
Kangra 140 km
Dharmashala 145 km
Mcleodganj 160 km
Manali 220 km
Shimla 350 km
Pathankot 150 km
Delhi 650 km
Chandigarh 350km

NEAREST APPROCHES:-

Road
Pathankot (150 km)
Delhi (450 km)
Shimla (350 km)
Railway station Pathankot (150 km)
Airport
1. Kangra airport at Gaggal (130 km
2. Kullu airport at Bhuntar (185 km)
3. Shimla airport at Ganhatti (350km)

HISTORY OF BHARMOUR:-

Emperor Meru Varman, the father of the prince Jaystambh in the Chamba state was the first to settle in Bharmour. He belonged to the ruling family of Ayodhya. Meru found access to the upper mountainous region through the Ravi valley. In the middle of 6th century he wins the many battles from Ranas holding their territory and founded the town Brahmpura and he made it the capital of a new state.
According to one legend, the name Brahmpura was in use at a still earlier period for the more ancient kingdom of Bharmour which existed in the territories of Garhwal and Kamaun, and that Meru Varman gave the same name of Brahmpura to the state that he founded with present Bharmour as his capital. After Meru, several Rajas ruled in succession until Sahil Varman. After about four hundred years Sahil Varman who conquered the lower Ravi valley and transferred the capital from Brahmpura to the new capital he founded at Chamba.
According to a another local legend, the place Brahmpura was older than Meru's time and as per common belief this is used to be the garden of goddess Brahmani who used to reside Brahmani Devi was having a son who was very fond of his pet chakor (birds). One day the chakor was killed by a peasant and the son was shocked to death by this loose, Grief-stricken Brahmani Devi also sacrificed by burying herself alive. The spirits of these trios dead souls started haunting the people awfully who raised Brahmani Devi to the status of deity and built her a temple. The people believe that the place was called Brahmpura after Brahmani Devi.

THE ANCIENT CHAURASI TEMPLES:-

Maa Brahmani ka Bharmour:-

There is only one legend regarding Chaurasi temples. In ancient time when this beautiful place Brahmpura present Bharmour was used to reside by goddess Brahmani Devi one shrine three kilometer on the ridge from Brahmpura with a scenic garden present Chaurasi. One day when goddess Brahmani Devi went to somewhere then Lord Shiva reached their with 84 Sidhas while visiting to Manimahesh Kailash. God Shiva want to leave 84 Sidhas, perhaps they choose this place to leave them. When in evening Goddess Brahmani Devi, the presiding deity of the place seen the smoke of fires lit by the Sidhas, she felt very angry at this trespass. She came down to the garden and ordered Shiva and the Sidhas to get out of the place. Shiva importuned in all his humility for allowing them to spend a night in their beautiful garden as they are tiered, and promised to leave early in the morning.
Goddess Brahmani condescended to their wishes and went away to Dughashaar (a place on ridge) from where she cannot see the smoke of fires lit by the Sidhas. In morning God Shiva left slept 84 Sidhas and went to Manimahesh Kailash, but the 84 Sidhas transformed themselves in to 84 Shivlingas because they did not want to go anywhere and wished to settle there. After that the Lord Shiva granted a boon to goddess Brahmani Devi that all persons intending to go on pilgrimage to Manimahesh must have a dip in their holy pool. Failing this, their pilgrimage would not be acceptable to Lord Shiva. That’s by every visitor firstly take bath in Brahmani’s holy pool before Manimahesh Lake.
Brahmani holy pool is about 20 square meter below Brahmani’s cave.. Goddess Brahmani had stolen this holy water from Lord Sandhola Naag which is another side of the ridge. An interesting story in this event is that one day when Goddess Brahmani Devi and Goddess Jhakani Devi both went to stole water from Sandhola Nag’s water. Both the Goddess stole the water in their pot and ran away at the same time Sandhola Naag saw them immediately he took the bow arrow and ran after them. But the shrine of Goddess Brahmani Devi was another side of the ridge, so she thrown their pot filled with water from the top of the ridge toward their shrine which reached at their cave. But the knee of goddess Jhakani Devi was hit by arrow, so goddess Jhakani Devi could not reach up to their destination and the water fell at village Badie and kardouta so a temple was executed at their. Seven water streams are coming from the bottom of cave which are presently serving water supply facility to Bharmour and running many flourmills.
Chaurasi was the level area on which these eighty four temples were standing and the name was attributed to the 84 Sidhas who are believed to have meditated in Bharmour over 100 years who supposed to come from Kurukshetra while visiting to Manimahesh Kailash. The Chaurasi Temple Complex offers you a delightful, clean and a scenic view. The complex is surrounded by numerous schools. The most extraordinary site of the complex is the tallest temple of Manimahesh, which is built in the Shikhara style of architecture. Another temple built in the same style is that of Lord Vishnu cast in his Nar Singh Avtar.
Bharmour, once known as Brahmpura, was between the 6th and 10th centuries, the capital of the princely state of Chamba. It is renowned for its cluster of temples collectively known as the ‘Chaurasi’. Though of varying architectural design, these temples are noted for their fine workmanship.
Legend has it that in the 10th century, 84 Sidhas (holy men) visited Bharmour; they blessed the ruler Raja Sahil Varman with ten sons and a daughter Champavati whom the town of Chamba is said to be named. And while some shrines were already in existence, the Raja had the remainder built to commemorate their sojourn. These include the Lakhna Devi Temple, the Ganesh Temple and the Nar Singh Temple. Installed in the sanctum of the Lakhna Devi Temple is an exquisite brass image of the goddess, The temple of Lord Dharamraj is also in the Chaurasi and only one in the whole world.

THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF CHAURASI ARE :-

1.Nandi temple (belongs to Lord Nandi):- 2.Dharameshwar Mahadev temple (belongs to Lord Dharamraj only one in the whole world:-

Ganesha Temple(belongs to Lord Ganesh)
Manimahesh temple (belongs to Lord Shiva)
Nar Singh temple (belongs to Lord Vishnu)
Maa Lakhna Devi (belongs to Goddess Mahisasurvardni)
Maa Shitla Temple(belongs to Goddess Shitla)
Maa Chamunda Temple(belongs to Goddess Chamunda)
Hanuman Temple belongs to Lord Hanuman/ Bajrangbali)
Kartik Temple (belongs to Lord Kartik)
Dharameshwar Mahadev temple (belongs to Lord Dharamraj only one in the whole world)
Nandi temple (belongs to Lord Nandi)
Jai krishan Giriji temple (belongs to Saint Jai krishan Giriji Maharaj)
Trameshwar Mahadev, Bijleshwar Mahadev, Moniling Mahadev, Suryaling Mahadev, Gyarahrudhra Mahadev (all temples belongs to Lord Shiva)

Ard Ganga holy Pond (used for holy bath on the occasion of Janamastmi)..

HISTORY OF GADDIES:-
In regard to the history of Gaddies as per their own traditions, the Gaddis descended from migrants who fled the plains of India for the relative security of the hills during times of trouble. It is thought that the Chauhans Rajputs Gaddies and Brahman Gaddies emigrated to Bharmour from Rajasthan. Most of the other castes of Gaddis are thought to be descended from people who fled to the hills to escape from the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's persecutions in the 17th century. The history confirms that Gaddi Rajputs migrated from Lahore (Pakistan) to this place in order to avoid religious persecution. One of the most dominant Rajputs 'Lalhal’ migrated from a city named Lalhal near Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan) during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
Presently the bulk of the population lives in Bharmour of Chamba district, but a scattered population of this tribe is also found in the adjoining districts of Kangra and Mandi of Himachal Pradesh even in Jammu and Kashmir. The community occupies the inaccessible, inhospitable terrain in between the Pir-Panjal and Dhauladhar range, between Ravi and Chenab valley. It is a high altitude area and remains cut off most of the time because of heavy snowfall. The language spoken within the community is Bharmouri Gaddi. Taakri was the script used by the ancestors. The Gaddi man is identified by typical dress which consists of a chola, Dora and white turban (Saffa).

PROFFESION:-

The majority of the Gaddies are landowners and practice agriculture and horticulture as their primary means of livelihood. They are also pastorals and own large flocks of sheep and goats, as a subsidiary occupation. This has also resulted in their bartandari (customary) rights on forest land which are government owned. Today, many of them have also taken up many high ranking jobs in government and private organizations and other white collar jobs. Most of Gaddi shepherd spent their whole life with their flock. They travel with their flocks to high riches of Himalaya, generally the goes to Lauhal valley in summer through Chobia, Kalicho and Kugti Passes and in winter they goes to Kangra valley, Una and even in Punjab.
The majority of Gaddies are landowner, the wheat and maize are main grains and mah and rajmah are main pulses of Bharmour. Gaddies also practice in horticulture and developed world famous variety of red royal and golden delicious apple, chestnut and almond trees.

GADDI CUISINE:-
The majority of community is non-vegetarian and they mostly eat the meat of sheep, chickens Families, who keep poultry, also eat their eggs. The staple food of Gaddis consists of cakes of maize and wheat with mah and rajmah. They also make moderate use of vegetables, including roots and tubers, and fruits. Mustard oil is the usual cooking medium. People are very fond of sur which is taken on religious functions. Their special dish madra along with a sweet preparation is a must on all social and festive occasions. Gaddi stock their eatables and fire woods in the month of October for winter session..

FAIR AND FESTIVALES:-

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Gaddi community celebrates all the national festivals. But they also celebrate local festive like Manimahesh Jatra, lohri, Bhaishaki, Patrodu, Dolru, etc. Manimahesh fair is best occasion to see and study the custom and rituals of Gaddies.............

2012-04-03T03:42:00.002-07:00

Chhatrari Village:-

Chhatrari is very beautiful, natural and historical village located in the Tehsil of Chamba district and the last village of Chamba Tehsil. This village is 49 kms from the district headquarters Chamba. It is situated on the left side of River Ravi a stream Kunta is also following from the Kunra village and separated Bharmour Tehsil to Chamba. This village is easily approachable by bus road which is well mettaled. Hppwd rest house is also there for stay.
It is a famous temple of aadishakti which constructed by king Meru Varman in 7th centaury. it is generally located 6km apart from luna village above the ravi river.

The Aadishakti-Shiv

Shakti:-

it is a famous historical temple of Shiv Shakti mataji which is constructed by King Meru Varman in 7th Centaury. it is generally located 6 km apart from luna village situated above the ravi. The shiv shakti temple is the famous temple in all over the india in which many of visitos are come here when there wishes comes true. the most common advantage of this temple is that after the complection of the manimahesh yatra people come here from various region to see the particular location and also pray from shiv shakti mata that their wishes comes true. Jai ho Shiv Shakti ki !!!!!!!

Shivshakti temple is constructed by the wooden and very unique wooden and painting work is also done. On the day of Radhasthmi when the Manimahesh fair is finished on the same day in the morning a priest from Shiv Shakti temple moves towards Manimahesh Lake and bring a sacred water from the lake. The priest does Holy bath to the image of Shiv Shakti image at Chhatrari. After that new sacred cloths were wear to the goddess Shiv shakti. Second day Chhatrari fair began and in the evening a Chariot of Butek Mahadev is also take place. In the ground of Shiv Shakti temple four local people dance and wear mask. From these four mask wear one is in the form of Shiv Shakti Godess and all other three are in the form of bad evil (rakshas). Godess fought with the Raksas and Goddess show as a winner in this war. This show the victory of truth upon untruth. Third and fourth fair is celebrated with the participation of large number of local people. A local Gaddis dance was also held with their tradition gaddis dress in the ground of Shiv Shakti temple.

Built around 700 AD, the Temple houses this beatific idol of Goddess Shakti whose equal is difficult to find in the entire Chamba/ Bharmour region. Legend has it that the Artist Gugga who made this idol, did so looking at his daughter who was squint, and the same feature can be found on the Idol too.

2012-04-03T02:05:00.002-07:00

NAAG MANI...............NAAG DEVTA.........

"Nagmani" is nothing Now does it have any special powers, I have not seen or exprerienced it personally. What I have seen is snakes dancing with eachother. This happened approximately10 years back, In the plot next to my friend's house we saw these 2 snakes moving & swaying in a way that looked like they were dancing. My friends mom asked us not to distrub them & we had to move away from there..........The pujari every now & then wipes the place beneath & behind the idol with a rod wrapped with cloth. My mom says that this gap was much more when she was a kid.................

Now if this can happen, why can't the story of nagmani & nagiins be true.

Wer'e so sure that every thing the west says is true & our history is just mythology. Even Ramayan/Mahabharat is mythology just because it happened so manu years back. This is just so sad.................

I'm not asking you asks to blindily believe our Culture, but saying that it's a mythof nature.......................

I can go on & on but I'll end here.........
there are really naag mani in the world there is temple in india where their you can see real naagmani in the early of the day. people said that there are two snake who protect the naagmani. i think naagmani was exit in when mahabharat was happen beacuse ravan son get married with the naagin so i think there wiil be naag mani but i dont know where u can go to see but in am sure there is one place in india where that shive temple have nagmani

2012-04-03T01:10:00.000-07:00

URIE VILLAGE !!!!!!!!
.
it is a hilly area village which is situated at the high altitude of the ravi river ...........it is also 5 km apart from ranuh kothi & jagat.......the most common advantage of this village is that a famous place BHOTODU NAAG which is top level with high altitude which is approximately 12 km apart from urie village................when you will go to the this temple then you will also cross the village name GHATOUR........a peacefull place where the humabeing feel with good weather condition..........what a lovely place bhatodu naag....

BHATODU NAAG TRIP !!!!!!!!!!!!!

BHOTODU NAAG !!!!!!!!!!!

BHOTODU NAAG TEMPLE is the another name of the NAAG DEVTA which is generally situtated in high altitude above ghatour village a lovely place where every humanbeing to want go to see the beautiful place.........it seems there is 22 cave in this temple.....in which human can enter only 3 or 4 cave it is impossible to every human being to enter the next cave........its universal truth....which is the mircale of the god devta................this temple is more year old which is a pollution free and good atmospheric condition according to their wather schedule.........

Shakh Naath Pooja in Bhatodu Naag:-

POOJA -ARTI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aarti is generally performed one to five times daily, and usually at the end of a puja or bhajan session. It is performed during almost all Hindu ceremonies and occasions. It involves the circulating of an 'Aarti plate' or 'Aarti lamp' around a person or deity and is generally accompanied by the singing of songs in praise of that deva or person (many versions exist). In doing so, the plate or lamp is supposed to acquire the power of the deity. The priest circulates the plate or lamp to all those present. They cup their down-turned hands over the flame and then raise their palms to their forehead - the purificatory blessing, passed from the deva's image to the flame, has now been passed to the devotee.............

The aarti plate is generally made of metal, usually silver, bronze or copper. On it must repose a lamp made of kneaded flour, mud or metal, filled with oil or ghee. One or more cotton wicks (always an odd number) are put into the oil and then lighted, or camphor is burnt instead. The plate may also contain flowers, incense and akshata. In some temples, a plate is not used and the priest holds the ghee lamp in his hand when offering it to the Deities.

Hinduism has a long tradition of aarti songs, simply referred to as 'Aarti', sung as an accompaniment to the ritual of aarti. It primarily eulogizes to the deity the ritual is being offered to, and several sects have their own version of the common aarti songs that are often sung on chorus at various temples, during evening and morning aartis. Sometimes they also contain snippets of information on the life of the gods.
The most commonly sung aarti is that is dedicated to all deities is Om Jai Jagdish Hare, known as "The Universal Aarti" and is another common aarti song. Its variation are used for other deities as well such as Om jai Shiv omkara,Om jai Lakshmi mata,Om jai Ambe gauri,Om jai Adya Shakti & OM JAI BHATODU NAAG............TERI SADA HI JAI HO............

2012-04-02T23:34:00.000-07:00

SAMRA NAAG TEMPLE HISTORY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Naag temple is the famous temple in Samra village which is a situated at the top of attitude and approximately 14 km from the shivshakti temple chatarddi........the person who comes here fullifilled his all wishes come true........the most common advantage of this temple is that it is a lovely holy place where peace and good atmospheric condition exist......all the people come here from the various villagers when their wishes comes true...........this temple is more year old approximately 100 years ago.....during the makkar sagrandh a festival is held in samra village which is called KABADDI OF NAAG DEVTA..........it is a very
interesting game which may be held by the two team region........SAMRA REGION & RANUH-KOTHI REGION....................
SAMRA REGION generally consists of teams as URIE, MAGLOON etc....where as RANUH-KOTHI REGION conists of teams as BHATARA, JAGAT, THOKLA, MASSORI etc......the team who takes more catches in this game is the winner of kabaddi............at last there is a big noise of dhoal and sound of musical instrument........the winner of team is awarded by a great respect of naag devta................

NAAG TEMPLE ( SAMRA)

2012-04-02T22:54:00.000-07:00

SAMRA VILLAGE:-

Samra Village is a beautiful village at a distance of 3 km apart from Ranuh-Kothi village. Naag Temple Is One Of The Major Attractions Of SAMRA VILLAGE. This Temple Is More Than Yrs Old. This Temple Is Situated On The Hill Can Not Resist Devotees To Go Through It Because Of Great Devotion. The Number Of Travllers Came Here Across The Distt And Outside Of The Villagers Is Simply Overcome With Amazement. In The Tourists Point Of View This Temple Is A Good Option To Excursion. The Naag Temple Is One Of The Noteworthy Holy Sites Of Patnitop. The Naag Temple Is Covered Around A Great Range Of Mountains All Over. During The Naag Panchami Festival This Naag Temple Experiences A Major Number Of Tourists. The Naag Temple Is Seen As A Pride Of Patnitop Because Of Its Oldness. During The Evenings Patnitop Experience Chilly Winter And Covered By Fog All Around As Even Visibility Can Get Down Upto 10 Feets. But Hindu Devotees Used To Come Through These Tough To Go Land At A Large Extent Shows Their Trust And Worship Towards God. Most Of The Rituals Say The Story Of Trust And Worship Of God That Attracts The Mob Of Tourists Over Here With A Great Devotion. During Naag Panchami, A Lot Of People Come And Ask Some Favor Of God About Happiness For Them And Their Family Members. No One Had Gone Bared Hand From This Temple. Everyone Got Something From The God. If Someone Demanding Something With Prayer With True Heart Then They Never Get Disappointed. KABBADDI IS THE BIG GAME FOR SAMRA NAAG TEMPLE WHICH MAY BE HELD IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST........VARIOUS TEAMS PARTICIPATE IN IT AND AETER THE RESULT OF THE GAME WHO TAKE MORE CATCHES IN THIS GAME IS WINNER OF THE KABBADDI.......KABBADDI IS HELD BETWEEN THE SAMRA VS RANUH-KOTHI WHICH IS ALSO A NICE LOCATION 3 KM FROM THE NAAG TEMPLE....