Yes, it is completely true that one of the five Kailas who tried to climb Manimahesh mountain became a stone. However, in some Kailash one travels to the peak of the mountain. But this is not possible here.
Local people believe that once Gadaria along with her sheep started climbing the top of Mount Manimahesh. But as he moved upwards, all his sheep became stones one by one. Even after this, when Gadaria was not accepted, eventually he was also transformed into rock.
Manimahesh Lake located in Bharmour in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, Manimahesh is also known as Tarkoi’s Mountain, which means Vaidyuramani or Sapphire. Situated at an elevation of 18500 feet above sea level, Manimahesh is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati.
In the year 1968, a mountaineer tried to climb this mountain but it was not successful. However, no evidence of its formation has been found. But despite this, till date, Manimahesh has not got any courage to climb the mountain.
Manimahesh Lake
By the way, the evidence of Manimahesh Yatra is found from the beginning of creation. But in 520 AD there is a mention of the Amnimahesh Yatra by Bharmour King Maru Verma to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. But the current travel is told from 1920. At that time the Vashanja king Sahil Varma (Shaila Varma) of the Maru dynasty was the king of Bharmour.
They did not have any child. Once an eighty-four yogi sage came to his capital. Pleased by the king’s humility and respect, the boon of these 84 yogis resulted in eleven children including ten sons of King Sahil Verma and a girl named Champavati.
On this, the king built a group of 84 temples in Bharmour in honor of these 84 Yogis, of which a Shiva temple named Manimahesh and a Devi temple named Lakshana Devi are of special importance. This entire temple group still offers a sample of the high art-culture of that time.
It begins with a place called Hadassar (ancient name Harsar). From here onwards the mountainous route is the only medium which is decided by walking or riding horse-mules. Once upon a time, the trek started from Chamba. After the road was built, the journey started from Bharmour. Now this journey generally starts from Hadsar.
Gaurikund arrives ahead of Dhanchho and two kilometers before Manimahesh Sarovar. During the journey, free langar service is provided by the NGOs to the passengers. Manimahesh-Sarovar, situated about one and a half kilometers from Gaurikund, is the last stop for common travelers and devotees.
It is worth noting that the lake with Kailash is ubiquitous. In Tibet there is Mansarovar with Kailash, Parvati Kund with Adi-Kailash and Manimahesh Sarovar with Kailash in Bharmour.
Here the devotees take a bath in the ice cold water of the lake. Then offer their reverent worship at the white stone Shivalinga statue (which is said to be of the sixth century) installed on the banks of the lake.
The huge and skyscraper sapphire situated in the east direction from Manimahesh Sarovar has the view of the snow-capped Mount Kailash with the virtue of religion.
Just below the summit of Mount Kailash, a small peak surrounded by snow is visible in Pindi form. According to local people, it is always visible even when there is heavy snowfall. Devotees consider this as Shiva and greet him.
According to local beliefs, six months from the beginning of spring and till the end of the rainy season, Lord Shiva resides on the family Kailash. After this, for six months from autumn to spring, they descend from Kailash and reside in Patalpur (Payalpur).
Similarly, a fair organized on Mahashivaratri falling in the month of Phagun is held to commemorate the return of Lord Shiva to Kailash. This place is also very picturesque in terms of tourism. This Kailash mountain can also be revolved, but for this mountaineering training and equipment are very important.
But even today, the traditional wandering journey by the local Brahmins and Sadhus, according to the ancient tradition, begins at the historic Lakshminarayana temple in Chamba. The distance from Hadsar to Manimahesh-Kailash is about 15 kilometers, in the middle of which lies a place called Dhanchho. Where food and night rest facilities are available.