Mani karan Temple
While wandering of in the forests of the Himalayan ranges Lord Shiva
and Goddess Parvati came across a place now called Manikaran. The
mountain-locked area, the lush green patches and the forests charmed
them and they decided to stay there for sometime.
For as long as eleven hundred years they remained at this place. At
one time, when the Lord was relaxing with the Goddess, in the
beautiful waters of a stream running by the side, the 'MANI' (Jewel)
in an earring of the goddess dropped somewhere.Parvati was much
distressed and there was a thorough search but efforts to find out
the jewel failed. Lastly, the Lord ordered his attendants, to trace
out the jewel, wherever it may be. That was also unsuccessful. Lord
Shiva got enraged, as a result of which his third eye opened. With
the opening of the third eye of the Lord Shiva, a very ominous
event, there was a great commotionall over the universe. The entire
universe was very upset and apprehended a great calamity. 'Shesh
Nag', the serpent god, was approached. In order to subside the anger
of Lord Shiva, Shesh Nag hissed and hissed and there was a flow of
boiling water, which passed over the area and out came a number of
precious stones of the type which were lost. Lord Shiva was
pacified. The water still continues to be hot. Before the earthquake
of 1905, which affected this area also, it is said, that this
boiling water used to rise, to about ten-feet high.The visiting
deities are given a ceremonial bath. The second chapter of 'Brahm
Puran' recites the story of Manikaran as given above. The place is
described as one of hot and cold waters and the divine pair had
repaired there for water sports known as 'Jal-Krida'. Fragrant and
attractive flowers graced the place and by a bath at the 'Sangam'
one is eternally blessed. The Brahm-Puran enjoins the pilgrims pass
a night awake at Manikaran and do puja or 'Raat-Jagran'.
