How to reach - TravelToLight

The trip to ManiMahesh can be taken by a bus, train, or by air from Delhi.

From ISBT, you can take a bus to Chamba. From Chamba, you have to go to the Hadsar village via Bharmaur. Hadsar is around 81 km away from Chamba. From Chamba to Bharmaur, you can take a bus, and from Bharmaur to Hadsar, small vehicles like a jeep or a taxi are available.

For the train route, you can take a train up to Pathankot (the nearest railway station), Punjab. From Pathankot, you can take a bus to Chamba, and then follow the same route described above. From Pathankot, it is an estimated 6 hr drive to Bharmaur via Chamba. Bharmaur is the nearest town to ManiMahesh where you can find a proper accommodation for the night.

The nearest airport is at Gaggal in Kangra, which is around 170 km from Chamba. If you want to travel by air, you can go till the Gaggal airport, then take a bus or taxi to Chamba, and follow the bus route described above.

Hadsar is the base village from where the trek to the ManiMahesh lake starts. The trek is about 15 km of steep climb by the banks of ManiMahesh Ganga, which originates from the ManiMahesh Kailash peak. After reaching the Hadsar village, it’s better to start your journey afresh next morning. The first stoppage Dhancho is 6 km away, which usually takes 5-6 hours. You can stay in Dhancho or can go the same day to ManiMahesh. Night shelters are available at the Dhancho village round the year. Before ManiMahesh lake, which is also known as Shiv Kund, there is Gauri Kund located 1.5 km before Shiv Kund. The belief is that lord Shiva used to take bath in Shiv Kund and goddess Gauri used to take bath in Gauri Kund. Women usually take a dip in Gauri Kund.

During the annual pilgrimage in August-September, numerous night shelters and eateries are present along the trekking route. There are several sewa camps hosted by sewaks from Punjab (especially from Patiala, Amritsar, and Muktsar) and from all over India. These sewaks provide tent accommodations and free langar. Tent accommodations are provided both at Gauri Kund and ManiMahesh lake. Sleeping bags, tents, and quilts are provided at a nominal price. It feels so pure and blessed that everything is provided for free by these sewaks who are doing this sewa in the name of lord Shiva.