A Passover To Churdhar

AN IDOL OF LORD SHIVA AT THE SUMMIT OF CHUUR DHAR

Shivlingam situated in Churr Dhaar is a subject of deep belief and faith. The summit is capped with a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. In the inner precincts, there is an idol of Lord Shiva while on the outside, a Shivalingam has been installed. A 1o foot ideal of Lord Shiva is there sitting at the apex. It is said that during the Mahabharata, the head of Bhim’s grandson, Barbareek, considered mighty, beyond most warriors and granted a boon of invincibility from Shiva, was put by Krishna on the summit.
The legend is that Barbareek had promised his mother that he would fight the war on the side that was weaker. Unable to grasp the full meaning of his vow, he reached the Pandava camp in Kurukshetra. Only Krishna read between the words and understood the blunder Barbareek had committed. By his word, he would start fighting on the weaker side till it became more powerful than the other. Then, he would have to switch sides till that side became stronger. Sensing Barbareek’s word and power as a threat to the Pandava camp also, Krishna in the guise of a Brahman asked for the sacrifice of his head. As the last request, Barbareek asked Krishna to show him his universal form and make his beheaded head witness the war. Thereafter, Krishna kept the head on the summit of Churdhar and granted him a boon that he would be worshipped in Kalyuga. A unique combination of faith and adventure. 

NAUHARADHAR 

Situated in Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 3647 mts  is Chooddhar, once known as Chood-chandni, which holds attraction for its picturesque locales as well as its association with mythology. Being a moderate trek to tread, the scenery en route turns out to be a paradise for trekkers. After a two and a half hour drive from Solan, one reaches Nauharadhar, the base camp for the summit of Churdhar. Small villages, terraced fields and thin streams dot the route.We were a group of five including me,Vishu,Karun,Yashika and Jagriti.We hired a taxi to Nauradhar from solan at 0800 hours and reached at around 1030 hours. Nauharadhar is a small hamlet with nearly 60 shops catering to the requirements of tourists. It is here that the trek begin.We started at 12oo hours. After the steep climb during the first two-km stretch, the trek eases out into a track amid the hills and yes it was raining. Wading through the greenery in the terraced fields, we reached Jau ka baag, the last village en route to Churdhar.We maintained a fair pace as we had fresh legs. Ascending the trek further, we entered green forests.

Trek rout

 The forest with its scenic beauty and cool, fresh air enlivens one with energy and enthusiasm and this was the reason that after walking for 2 hours15 minutes we reached Jamnalata at 1415 hours, a lush green level ground with just two rest stops in between,the stretch is 6 kms fromNauhradhar . Engulfed by forests, the land is a gujjar settlement. The gujjars, along with their cattle, settle here in summer and move to the plains in winter.We had tea here and halted for half an hour. At this time Yashi was full of energy and was saying 'Mein tez challi na?' (Was I walking fast?) and indeed it was true as the owner of the dhaba their told us that the normal time to reach this place from Naura is 2 hours. At 1445 we left the place  to enter a forest of deodar trees with fog engulfing it all around.The place has many trees which has faded with time and died.

Teesri

 We could find fallen trees throughout until we reached Teesri at 1630 hours.  The trek from Jamnalata to Teesri takes around one-and-a-half hours, the trek is leveled and mild, the distance is 5kms from Jamnalata.We had our lunch here. The dhaba is owned by a 72 years old man Jagar Singh from Naura itself.We had allo and chappaties here with a cup of tea and yes it was good. Saying goodbye to meet again tomorrow we left Teesri at 1700 hours.   The road hereafter is fine for another 2kms after which it is arduous.We could see the idol of Shiva at the apex of the Churdhar peak.

Bhimkhanda

 After almost another 1km we reached Bhimkhanda.After this the place is strewn with rocks and I mean massive rocks out of which the trek has been carved out. It is a 75 degree climb for another kilometer after which the trek gradient falls to 45 degree.  The route ahead Bhimkhanda is very rocky and the path has been carved out through huge boulders. Walking up ahead for another hour we reached the apex of the Churdhar peak at 1830 hours and right into the feet of Lord Shiva.

JAI CHURESHWAR MAHADEV

 Stayed their for half an hour offered prayers, clicked photographs and started descending towards the Sarain on the other side of the idol. The feeling was just amazing as all the exhaustion vanished after scaling the Churdhar peak. Descending for a kilometer we reached Sarain at 1930 hours. Yashi was most excited as this time she made it to the top in 7 and a half hours comparing it to her last attempt timing at 14 hours. The sarain was all full of people chattering. The accommodation in sarain is free and you just have to pay for the blankets that you take, at Rs 5/- each. They hold a free langer for all the devotees their which we also had like rest of people. In the morning after completing our morning routine we went to the temple right their dedicated to Lord Shiva.This temple is accessible only from May to November each year. Heavy snowfall during the remaining part of the year forces the closure of this temple.After this we went towards the peak where it is said that a huge stone in the shape of a snake head is resting, it is said to be the sheshnaag, and believe me it was a head of a snake. Bowing to the sheshnaag after climbing the big rock we returned to have breakfast at a nearby inexpensive dhaba,had pranthas and tea their and  left. The irony is that we all were so excited that we took 11 hours to descend down to Nauradhar. Extended rest sessions with Jagar Singh ji and the man at the second dhaba and furiousness of weather god's added hours to our descend back down to Nauradhar. All soaked up in water we reached Nauradhar at 2000 hours and came to know that the road is cut off due to land slides and decided to stay their. All in all it was a great walk to Churdhar.

JAI BHOLE.