Have you ever wondered what this ‘connection’ to the mountains everyone keeps talking about is? Chances are if you have ever been to the Himalayas, you’ve most likely experienced it yourself. Where does that feeling come from, do you know? We think we might have a possible answer.
The natural beauty of the Himalayas is definitely spellbinding, but that is not the only reason this majestic mountain range lingers in our minds for ages after we have visited it. The Himalayas have always been a big part of our folklore. Our mythological stories have depicted all of its characteristics as life forms giving each element of this mountain range a personality of its own. The rivers that flow out of the Himalayan glaciers all have a story of their life and origin, there is history to the name of each of our mountains, and there’s a deep study of each blade of grass and every small life that thrives in this massive ecosystem. And each of these characters features extensively in our mythological stories. Is it a wonder, then, that being in the Himalayas is a spiritual experience?
Nestled amidst the majestic Himalayan peaks, the Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek is a journey that transcends the physical realm and delves into the rich tapestry of local myths and folklore. Like all corners of our Himalayas, the trails of this trek are carriers of these legends which have been passed on from generation to generation in many different forms.
Just so they are not lost, here are some of the stories the trail of this trek has written and protected over the years. We can never tire of these tales and so each time we are on this trek, we make sure we ask a local to narrate them to us. Here’s a collection of all that we’ve heard as yet.
The Forbidden Waters of Deoriatal
At the heart of the trek lies the pristine Deoriatal Lake, shimmering like a mirror beneath the azure sky. ‘Deo’ is a word for gods and ‘tal’ translates to ‘lake/pond’. According to local beliefs, this self-contained water body in the heart of the Himalayas is named ‘the lake of the gods’ because, well, as the name suggests, it holds a sacred connection to the Gods.
It is believed that every once in a while, the gods and goddesses come down from the heavens to bathe in the pristine waters of this lake. Its clear, mirror-like surface is considered to be a reflection of the divine world.
We also have tales establishing the lake’s water belonging to the gods! In one of the many stories narrated in the epic Mahabharata, the five Pandava brothers came to the lake during their many travels while they were in exile. Since the lake was a private bathing spot for the Gods, its waters were forbidden territory guarded loyally by a crane named Yaksha. The only way for anyone other than the Gods to access the waters of this lake was to answer Yaksha’s questions satisfactorily – the quality of the answers left solely on the crane’s judgment.
Four of the five youngest brothers, tired from their journey, did not honor this peculiar request and helped themselves to the water of the lake in order to quench their thirst. Little did they know, they would pay for this act of insubordination with their lives. The oldest brother, Yudhisthir, known for his obedience, answered each one of Yaksha’s questions and was able to bring back his four brothers from the dead. Do any oldest siblings relate to Yudhistir?!
Trial at Tunganath
The story of one of the highest Shiva temples in the world, Tunganath (3,680M) features the Pandavas as well. Tunganath Temple, located near Chandrashila Peak, is one of the Panch Kedar temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to local folklore, the temple was built by the Pandavas during their exile. The Pandavas, after their defeat in the game of dice, were exiled for twelve years, with the last year to be spent incognito for which they chose the Himalayas.
During this time, they wished to seek forgiveness from Lord Shiva for the sins they committed during the Kurukshetra war, where they fought against and killed their own cousins. But Lord Shiva, known for his peculiar ways, would not rid them of their guilt so easily, so he went into hiding himself! Disguised as a bull, Shiva escaped to Guptakashi. When the Pandavas figured this out, Bhima, the strongest of them all, chased after the bull. Shiva’s form then disintegrated and appeared in 5 different regions of the country. A temple was erected in each of these spots, now known as the Panch (meaning 5) Kedar (another name for Lord Shiva). As per the story, the limbs of this bull appeared at the place which is today the Tunganath temple. Since Shiva was doing his best to avoid the five brothers, the Pandavas were the ones who erected the temple in order to appease the Lord. Did it work? Well, we might have to read the Mahabharata to know if it did!
The rest of the Panch Kedar are at Kedarnath (3,583M), Madamaheshwar (3,490M), Rudranath (3,559M), and Kalpeshwar (2,200M).
The Many Legends of Chandrashila
Chandrashila translates to ‘Moon Rock’. Different versions of different stories exist about how Chandrashila got its name. Here are some of our favorites:
Channeling Peace at Chandrashila
In the first version, Chandra the moon god, supposedly meditated here on a ‘shila’ or rock giving birth to the name, Chandrashila. In another tale, the legendary character of Rama supposedly came to Chandrashila to atone for his sins of killing Ravana by practicing deep penance on this very rock where the moon god came looking for some peace and solitude.
The Battle of the Gods
In yet another tale, Chandrashila Peak, which offers a stunning view of the surrounding mountains, is believed to be the battleground where gods and demons fought for supremacy.
During the epic Ramayana, the demon king Ravana was a devotee of Lord Shiva and performed intense penance to gain his favor. To test Ravana's devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before him and offered to grant him a boon. Ravana asked for immortality, but Lord Shiva declined, stating that no one can escape the cycle of life and death.
Undeterred, Ravana cleverly asked for immense power and invincibility, thinking he could become invulnerable. Lord Shiva granted him the boon, and Ravana became nearly invincible in battle. However, in his arrogance, Ravana also sought to capture and control the Moon (Chandra) to demonstrate his newfound power.
To prevent Ravana's tyranny, Lord Shiva fought a fierce battle with him at Chandrashila Peak. After a prolonged battle, Lord Shiva defeated Ravana and released the Moon from his grip. The crescent moon, symbolizing Lord Shiva's grace, descended and settled on the peak, giving it the name ‘Chandrashila’.
The Third Eye
This story features the playfulness of Shiva and Parvati’s marital bliss. Once, Goddess Parvati teasingly covered Lord Shiva's eyes with her hands, plunging the world into darkness. This act of Parvati led to the entire universe being shrouded in darkness. In response, Lord Shiva's third eye opened, emitting a powerful burst of light that illuminated the entire universe. The brightness from Shiva's third eye was so intense that it was like the shining moon itself.
The light from Shiva's third eye is believed to have fallen on the spot where the Chandrashila peak stands today. The peak was blessed with the divine presence of Lord Shiva, and hence it came to be known as ‘Chandrashila’ or ‘Moon Rock’, signifying the moon-like brilliance that emanated from Lord Shiva's eye.
These are only some of the many told and many forgotten tales from the trails of this trek. They are best heard from the mouths of the locals who do the retelling of these fascinating stories with a certain energy that is absolutely infectious. When you are on this trek, be sure to get a first-hand experience of these fascinating stories from those who know them best. To know that you are walking the same lands the giants from our epics once did and to become a part of these timeless tales is quite a feeling!
On this trek, myths and reality intertwine to create an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.
