THE MYSTERIES OF SRIKHAND MAHADEV.
[ SRIKHAND MAHADEV PEAK . Photo Sanjeeva Pandey.]
At 18000 feet the peak at Srikhand Mahadev is imposing in its savage grandeur and timeless beauty, shrouded in constantly drifting clouds, surrounded by ice fields and buffeted by powerful winds all day long. The massif is located on the border of Kullu and Shimla districts and is approachable from three directions: Bathad in the Tirthan valley, Phancha in the Ghanvi Khad and Baghipul. I had undertaken this trek in 2004, going up via Bathad and returning by way of Baghipul. It is perhaps one of the most difficult pilgrimages in the state but for those who venture to undertake to visit this abode of Shiva the rewards are plenty. And one of them is the rich mythology associated with this legend, rich even by the fecund standards of our Dev Bhoomi. I find three of them particularly fascinating and poignant.
On the final day of the trek to the peak one has to ascend from Bhim Dwar (14000 feet), the camp site for the previous night. The first five kms or so is over alpine pastures, but then the terrain becomes rocky and covered with scree- not a blade of grass grows in this barren wasteland. But after another four kms or so one suddenly finds one self in the middle of a field of flowers- a profuse expanse of the mystical Brahm Kamals, hundreds of them sprouting in glee from between the rocks, their white and cream colours transforming the barren landscape into an arboratum of the gods. This place is known as Parvati Ka Bageecha (The Garden of Parvati).
[ PARVATI KA BAGEECHA. Photo by author ]
The Brahm Kamal is the favourite flower of the goddess Parvati, and they are there for a reason. Legend has it that it was at this spot that Parvati waited for 18000 years to win the affection of the God Shiva, who was meditating on the peak at Srikhand, totally oblivious of her. Empathising with her loneliness and distress, the Brahm Kamals bloomed around her spontaneously to give her company and cheer her up. And they are certainly a cheering sight in this desolate terrain. giving one fresh encouragement for the remaining climb of 2000 feet that still remains.
One continues ascending beyond Parvati Ka Bageecha and the terrain soon reverts to the harsh, glaciated landscape, all greenery vanished. A short distance on, at the foot of the final, two thousand feet steep climb to the peak, is a small, glacial lake, fed by the snow melt from the surrounding glaciers- and herein is embedded another poignant myth. This pristine lake is in the shape of an eye and is known as Nain Sarovar. Legend has it that Parvati, while waiting for Shivji, became so disheartened and disconsolate that she started weeping. One tear drop fell on the ground and formed a lake, shaped like an eye, which is what we see today, hence its name. Pilgrims and trekkers take a dip in these holy waters before proceeding further. The lake is gradually filling up with detritus and may one day disappear entirely, but it has imbued this stark landscape with an anthropomorphic emotion which adds richness to this dev bhoomi
[ NAIN SAROVAR. Photo by author ]
From the lake it is a steep 2000 feet ascent to the peak over continuous rockfall, boulders and patches of ice and snow, but one baffling mysterious myth still remains. Halfway to the peak, scattered among the boulders, one comes across a dozen or so stone tablets of massive proportions, rectangular in shape, completely out of place among these rounded boulders. There are carvings on their faces, like some type of cuneiform or vanished script in regular lines. Take a look at the image below:
[ BHIM KI BAHI. Photo by author. ]
It would be difficult to convince any reasonable person that (a) the regular shapes of these tablets have not been CARVED by a humanoid hand or that they are the result of natural erosion, and (b) that the calligraphic type markings on them are the result of the action of winds and ice. Such explanations do not match with the surrounding rocks which do not show any similar effects of these natural forces. The carvings are too stylised and uniform to be natural . And the question: why only these dozen odd tablets ? The devout have a more interesting explanation: these mountain ranges were visited by the Pandavas during their exile ( there are legends of the fabled Pandavas in other regions of the state, and other natural features associated with them, such as Pandupul in the Parbati valley and Bhim ka Chulha at Hatu Peak), and they are supposed to have spent some time on Srikhand Mahadev. These tablets were carved by Bhim and the "writings" on them are the accounts of their travels recorded by him. They are known as "Bhim Ki Bahi" or Ledgers of Bhim. Pilgrims venerate these rocks, as the chandan (sandalwood) markings on the image bear testimony.
I am reluctant to dismiss outright something which I cannot explain rationally. The remote, natural landscapes of Himachal are absolutely saturated with similar mythologies of the ages. We may not believe in them but we must respect them for they are part of the DNA of both man and nature in these forbidding regions. They bring together MAN, RELIGION and NATURE, a much more sustainable synthesis than today's concoction of Man, Religion and Politics. They have also played a significant role in preserving the natural environment and we must value them for this reason alone, if not for others.
When Avay Shukla writes about the grandeur of nature through the narration of his personal excursions, one is blown away by the riches he has gathered - riches coaxed from cajoling Time and Terrain into parting with them. Every now and then, he unbolts his treasure trove and lets us take a peek, putting pen to paper with effortlessly.
ReplyDeleteGrateful, Sir, for your recounting of the three fables of Shrikhand Mahadev - which you segue so seamlessly, taking us along a silken stretch of gossamer on those vertical heights! Certainly in striking contrast to the toil and trepidation that must have underlined your arduous trek.
And how magnificently you conclude - spotlighting, with dignified solemnity, the syncretic union of manmade and natural elements high upon those mysterious slopes!
Thank you.
Indeed, Mr. Patankar, I have always felt blessed that I was given the opportunity, both in my professional and private lives, to venture into the remotest areas of the state. Trekking opens a window into the soul of the mountains, and to gaze into it without the superficial trappings of "development" and mass tourism. The sheer simplicity of nature and the people who live there is an eye opener and contains lessons for the survival of our beautiful planet which we are bent on devastating with our wasteful life styles. Every valley and mountain has its own distinct mythology, its own legends, its own devtas and devis. They too rule with an iron hand- I have been to areas where one is not allowed to pluck flowers, or to carry alcohol and cigarettes, or to consume meat- but all their rules are structured around the imperative of preserving and protecting nature and wildlife. Such a far cry from the venality and politicisation of organised religion. Nature can teach us a lot, but it is our tragedy that we now have whole generations whose only exposure to the wonders of nature are through TikTok reels and "influencer"videos. Not their fault- it's my generation which has let them down.
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