VASANT PANCHMI " The festival to welcome beautiful & loving Spring 's appearance on earth."

 "Vasant Panchami " the festival which comes on fifth day of new moon in the month of Magha . In other words this festival is celebrated on fifth day of shukla paksha in the month of Magha , which generally falls ending January to mid February. On this day the goddess saraswati has appeared on earth from the mouth of Lord Brahmadev to eliminate crime. So this day is celebrated as birthday of goddess saraswati. 

 With the entry of Vasant (Spring) on the earth, the circulation of new rashas starts flowing in the body of every living creatures on the earth. 

              "  Sharda " ' The Goddess of Knowledge '

On this festival the worship of Goddess Saraswati also called "Sharda " is done. Goddess Saraswati is the Goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning, music, art and speech. The Saraswati is one of the Trinity, the other two are Lakshmi and Parvati. On this day the goddess Saraswati appears on the earth with waves of new creation. 

                     Beautiful View of  spring season

The festival is celebrated forty days before spring, this is preparation of spring. Vasant indicates the end of winters. It is indicator of new life for plant kingdom, animal kingdom . The nature starts spreading its beautiful colours on the earth in the form of new leaves on the plants, varieties of flowers on them. Birds can be seen singing love songs. 

                           Butterflies love flowers

                              Dancing birds in spring

According to " Puranas "  the crime on the earth was increasing, the wrong actions of humans were intolerable to Rishi-munies, in such circumstances all Devtas together prayed to Lord Brahmadev to find out solution to this problem and bring the humans on the right path. On the prayers of all Devtas  Brahmdev appearrd in yellow clothes and created goddess saraswati from his mouth on fifth day of shukla paksha in the month of Magha  , the birthday of Saraswati and said that Saraswati will eleminate all darkness of evils and will establish virtues on the earth in the well-being of humanity. So this day  is celebrated as Vasant-Panchmi . 

  Fields of Mustard blooms in welcome of this day

Also Lord  Vishnu spread new energy in the universe on this day and Lord Brahmadev sent his Manas putra " kamdev " and Rati  ,the wife of Kamdev to spread the message of love and peace  on the earth  to establish values and virtues on the earth . 

Thus worship of Lord Vishnu, Kamdev and Rati is also done on Vasant Panchmi. 

         Flowers have the power to attract anybody

Thus this festival has great importance in our lives in the establishment of values and virtues in the service of mankind. we must carry on this gain ganga to our next generations and must eliminate the evils from the society. 

           Every  living creatures enjoy the spring

This year the Vasant Panchmi is coming on 16 th February, I greet all my friends, Brothers and sisters in India and abroad on this beautiful occasion and hope that all will enjoy the festival and spread the power  & blessings of Maa Saraswati in the service of mankind. 

                           Colours of Nature

                   Love Nature & Love mankind

                            Feel the spring here

               By :- Er. R C Verma

Chandranahan Lake " A small beautiful lake situated between Chanshal mountain's peaks in Tehsil Rohru, district Shimla Himachal Pradesh."

 The origin of Pabbar river, " Chandranahan lake " is a high altitude lake situated between the peaks of Chanshal mountains range at an altitude of 4267 metres from mean sea level in tehsil Rohru of district Shimla of Himachal Pradesh. 

                             Beautiful Lake View

The Chandranahan lake is situated on South-Western slopes of main Himalayas which falls to the North-West of Rohru district Shimla. The source of water to the lake is snow melt and glaciers of Chanshal mountains. 

                      View of Chanshal mountains

The best trekking time to Chandranahan lake is from mid April to mid October. The lake is also known as "Moon Lake . " Enroute to Chandranahan lake beautiful Meadows known as 'Thach'  comes in the way the names are Simbar thach, Dayara thach and Litham thach local people used to graze their sheeps, goats and animals in these Meadows. 

            Beautiful view of Chandranahan lake

The lake is about 20 Km from Rohru. The trekking troops enjoy their adventures to Chandranahan lake every year. The lake is dedicated to Goddess Mahamaya Kali.  On the way the Pine and Oak trees looks very beautiful. 

          "Always enjoy nature to feel stress free "

                                          By :- Er. R C Verma

Serolsar Lake " A beautiful lake dedicated to Buddhi Nagni Mata, near Jalori Pass, district Kullu, Himachal Pradesh."

 It is a beautiful lake situated just above the Jalori Pass about 6 Km from Jalori pass at an altitude of 3199 metres from mean sea level in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The distance of Jalori pass from Aani tehsil head quarters is about 31 Km and that of from Banjar is about 20 Km on National Highway Number 305 . 

                 Beautiful View of Serolsar Lake

The route  to Jalori pass bifurcates from Aut on Chandigarh -Mandi -Manali National highway  and traverses on NH,, 305 from Aut to Sainj  on Ambala Kaurik  National highway. No. 22 also called Hindustsn Tiebet road. It is at a distance of, 45 Km from Aut and 52 km from Sainj. 

The lake is dedicated to Bhddhi Nagni Mata, it is believed that Buddhi  Nagni Mata lives in this lake. 

                   Beautiful View of Serolsar lake

 The water of the lake is very clear and it is seen that the lake always remains free of any floating leaves in it and birds around the lake ensure the immediate removal of such leaves from the lake. There is a Goddess temple near the lake. It is believed that initially Pandvas had built this temple during their exile. People used to visit this lake on foot from Jalori Pass. The trek is having beautiful forests . Bath is not allowed in this lake. 

   

                          Temple Near The Lake

The best trekking time to visit this lake is from March to July. During winters the lake experiences heavy snow. The site is very charming and peaceful. 

                     Beautiful View of Mountains

       The nature is very beautiful one must associate to feel stress free.                      

                                            By :-  Er. R C Verma

Bhrigu Lake " A lake near Rohtang Pass in district Kullu Himachal Pradesh."

 District Kullu of Himachal Pradesh is world famous for is beautiful tourists destinations like Manali, Mani -Karn and scenic beauty of Rohtang -Pass. Tourists from all over India and abroad used to enjoy the nature of this wonderland. Amongst the beautiful tourists spots of Kullu, Bhrigu lake is also an amazing attraction. 

                The Best trekking to Bhrigu  Lake

It is believed that Maharishi Bhrigu had done austerity in this area, so the lake named after the name of Maharishi Bhrigu as "Bhrigu lake. " It is a high altitude lake situated at an altitude of 4235 metres from mean sea level. 

           Beautiful View of Bhrigu lake( Kullu) 

The easy trekking to Bhrigu lake starts from Maharishi Vashisht temple near Manali. The Vashisht is known for hot water springs.The lake is in the east of Rahang psss and is about 6 Km from Gulaba village. 

                        The  View of Frozen Lake

The lake remains frozen in complete winters, the source is snow melt and glaciers. The depth of the lake is about three metres. 

                View of Trekking to Bhrigu Lake

The tourists from various parts of the country and abroad enjoy the trekking to Bhrigu Lake every year. 

This is in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas. 

                                    

                                      By :- Er. R C Verma

Dhankar Lake " The beautiful lake in Spiti valley of district Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh."

 Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh has very beautiful landscapes, the centre of attraction for tourists. Tourists from all over the world used to visit the immense beauty of of this place. This is really a beautiful wonderland on the earth.Today we will have a insight on a peaceful , beautiful lake near village Dhankar in Spiti valley of district Lahaul-Spiti known as " Dhankar Lake. "

                 Beautiful View of Dhankar lake

The village Dhankar is situated at an altitude of 3894 metres from mean sea level between Tabo and Kaza towns of Lahaul-Spiti. 

                         View of village Dhankar

The distance of village Dhankar from Tabo is about 31 Km  vai National highway No 505 &Sichling road and that of from Kaza it is about 33 Km via National highway No 505. Dhankar village is used to be the capital of Spiti valley. 

           Another beautiful view of Dhankar village

The village Dhankar is also called by different names like Dankhar, Drangkhar, Brang makhar Or Gang makhar. The Dhankar Monastery  called Dhankar Gompa is also there in this village. 

                   Dhankar lake and clouds in sky

The Dhankar lake is a high altitude lake above the Dhankar Monastery at an altitude of about 4140 metres from mean sea level. It is about at a one hour trekking distance from Monastery. The track is easy one . The place is very beautiful with pin drop silence. 

       Panoramic view of mountains in Spiti valley

             Beautiful landscapes of Spiti valley

   Another panoramic views of mountains in Spiti

One must enjoy the nature 's immense beauty of Lahaul-Spiti. 

                                      By :- Er. R C Verma

Kareri Lake " The fresh water lake in Dhauladhar mountains of district Kangra , Himachal Pradesh."

 The district Kangra , which had been the part of Punjab before 1 November 1966 , merged in Himachal  because hilly areas of Punjab transferred to Himachal and Haryana and Union Territory Chandigarh also formed on 1st November 1966,is having a very beautiful landscapes and has many tourist destinations. The Kangra valley falls in Dhauladhar mountains of the Great Himalayas. 

         Beautiful View of Kangra valley Dhauladhar

The Kareri lake falls in Dhauladhar mountains of district Kangra at an altitude of about 2934 metres from mean sea level. It is a high altitude lake situated about 9 Km North -West of Dharamshala .  This lake is also known as  " Kumarwah " lake. 

          Beautiful View of Dhauladhar mountains

                View of Kareri lake District kangra

The source of water to the lake is snow melt of Dhauladhar mountains, there for you can enjoy fresh clean water with high visibility as the lake is a shallow one, even lake bed remains visible. The outflows of lake forms the Nyund stream. 

                    Beautiful View of Kareri lake

The lake remains frozen till the month ofApril. There is a temple of Lord Shiva and Mahamaya Shakti on the top of hill . People of the area as well as people visiting the lake offer their prayers to Lord Shiva-Shakti after taking bath in the lake. The trekking to this place is adventurous one. 

      View of Dhauladhar mountains from Kangra

 One must visit this peaceful place of Lord Shiva. 

                                          By :- Er. R C Verma 

 

Chanderkup Lake " known as 'Ice Berg Lake ' situated in district Chamba, Himachal Pradesh."

 District Chamba of Himachal Pradesh is having very beautiful and wonderful landscapes like Mini-Switzerland Khajjiar, Chaugaan ground, it's beautiful rivers, Manimahesh, Kalatop wildlife Sanctuary and Lama-Dal lake, Ghadarasu Mahadev lake and Dhauladhar mountains which adds to the immense natural beauty of this area. In its beautiful hills just on two hours trekking from Lama-Dal lake there is another lake named "Chanderkup dal . "

                  Floating Ice Blocks in the Lake

The Chanderkup lake is a high altitude lake in Chamba district situated at an altitude of about 4100 metres from mean sea level. The lake remains frozen, even in summer  floating ice blocks can be seen which look like Ice Berg lake in Montana United States, this is why this lake is also called "Ice Berg lake. "

   Beautiful View of Ice Berg lake at Montana (U.S.) 

The Chanderkup is also known as Moon Lake. It is on two hours trekking from Lama-Dal leke. People used to visit this lake during the month of August. 

                 Morning View of Ice frozen lake

Here we can see that there are three lakes which are named moon lakes but with a little difference in names, the location wise position is as under :-

1.Chander tal (The Lake of Moon) Lahaul-Spiti. 

2. Chanderkup (Moon Lake) Chamba district

3. Chandernahan Lake  Rohru district Shimla. 

Some other beautiful views of ice lakes are :-

                     View of floating ice in Lake

               Ice Mountains around the Lake

The Himachal Pradesh has its immense beauty in its wonderful geography and climates and has numerous attractions from tourism point of view. one must visit Himachal with family and friends, when feel stress from over work and severe climates. 

                                  By :- Er. R C Verma

Renuka Lake "A beautiful lake of the Ramsar Convention sites , in district Sirmaur ,Himachal Pradesh."

 The Ramsar Convention :- First of all we must know , what is Ramsar convention, during 1960s it was felt by some Non - Governmental Organizations that there is a degradation of wetlands habitat for migratory waterbirds and was increasing. So a treaty was negotiated between the countries and Non- Governmental organizations for the conservation of  wetlands of international importance. The treaty was adopted in 1971 in Ramsar  city of Iran. The Ramsar convention treaty came in force in 1975. Thus the treaty is called "Ramsar convention Treaty " and the wetlands identified under this are called Ramsar convention wetlands. The protocol was adopted in 1982 and then with some amendments in 1987.

At present there are 75 member countries , working on 600  Ramsar wetlands of international importance. 

Renuka lake is also a Ramsar convention wetlands and situated in Sirmaur district of Himachal PradeshPradesh.  It is included in Ramsar convention wetlands list on 08/11/2005.

 

View of Renuka Lake Ramsar convention wetlands

The Renuka lake is a low altitude lake situated at an altitude of about 672 metres from mean sea level having about 3214 metres circumference . The lake is dedicated to "Renuka " the wife of Maharishi Jamdagni and the mother of Lord Parsuram the, 6 th avtaar of Lord Vishnu. The lake is named on her name  " Renuka "

                           Boating facility at Lake

The Renuka ji Lake is at distance of 38 Km from Nahan district head quarters via Sangrah Renuka ji Nahan road . From Paunta Sahib the Renuka ji Lake is 42 Km via Baila market road and 48 Km via  National Highway 707 . On Probodhani Ekadashi in the month of November a five days fair is held at Renuka ji and lacs of visitors from various parts of country as well as abroad used to visit this place. 

There is a temple of Renuka ji near the lake, and Lord Parsuram comes to meet his mother on this day every year. 

                       View of Renuka ji Lake

Renuka ji a beautiful place one must visit. 

                              By :-  Er. R C Verma

Sarahan " A beautiful Tourist destination in district Shimla Himachal Pradesh."

 Sarahan ia a beautiful village situated at an altitude of 2100 metres from mean sea level at a distance of 17 Km from Jeori on Jeori -Sarahan road in Tehsil Rampur Bushahar  district Shimla Himachal Pradesh.. Rampur Bushahar is situated at a distance of about 130 km from Shimla and Jeori is 25 Km from Rampur Bushahar and Sarahan is 17 Km from Jeori thus Sarahan is about 172 Km from Shimla if we take the route on Hindustan Tiebet road National highway -22. 

Sarahan was identified as Sonitpur as per  " Puranas " our ancient literature, it remained summer capital of Bushahar state kingdom. The Sarahan has a famous beautiful Bhima Kali temple of Goddess Kali. 

          Goddess Bhima Kali temple at Sarahan

The Sarahan is well connected with roads, Narkanda Sidhpur Bahali Sarahan road is another road through which this place has assess from inner areas of the valley. This road has much contributed towards economy of the area as the valley is rich in apple orchards. 

                       View of apple orchards

                  Valley is rich in apple orchards

In the construction of Narkanda Sidhpur Bahali Sarahan road and other buildings like hospital, stadium, PWD Rest house etc.Er. Sawmi Prakash Negi who retired as Engineer in Chief Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department,  Er. Balwant Rai, Er V T Negi,  Er. B S Chauhan,Er Parash Ram Chauhan, Er Rattan Verma, Er. C P Metheu, Er Thomas, Er. R C Verma  , Er T R Sharma has their special contributions as the terrain was very difficult. . 

The area experiences snow fall in winter, then the scenery of area looks very beautiful. 

                     View of Bhima Kali temple

The road to temple bifurcates from village Gharat, it is five Km from Gharat via Shalabagh SSB Camp.People used to visit temple and offer their prayers to goddess Bhima Kali during Navratra  specially and generally throughout the year. 

    Another View of Bhima Kali temple at Sarahan

The  former Chief Minister Raja Virbhader Singh is a member of Royal Family.  people used to call him "Raja Sahib ". Raja Virbhader Singh remained Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.  Goddess Bhima Kali is their  " Kul-devi " The development of the Himachal Pradesh including Sarahan picked up the speed under the leader ship of Raja Virbhader Singh after, 1982 as he took over as Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. 

               View of Sangla Valley Kinnaur district. 

                  

                                     By :- Er. R C Verma