VISHNUPAD
Kausarnag (sometimes alternatively spelled as Konsarnag) is located at an altitude of 12,000 ft, has been worshipped since times immemorial as Visnupad (foot of Visnu). In Nilmat Times it was called by its Sanskrit name Kramasaras or Kramsara (Kramafootstep, Saras lake).The lake is shaped as a foot and it is believed that Lord Vishnu had placed his holy foot in the place where the present big lake was formed. Since it is supposed to mark the footstep of Visnu, it is the main objective of the Naubandhana pilgrimage.
JOURNEY
Naubhandana Tirtha is located in Kulgam tehsil. One can reach Konsarnag lake by Avil. Avil (old name, Awal) was in olden times ruled by a Kotraj (local chief), who controlled the territory from Damhal Hanjipora to Aharbal.
Avil to Konsarnag
Indersar :
Indersar lake is 2 kms from Lahanpathri. God Indra who figures in Konsarnag mythology is associated with this lake. Unlike Ksirsar and Brahmsar, this lake finds no mention in Nilmat or Naubandhana mahatmya. Lake is circular in shape, about 1 km in circumference. Lake water is warm as sunlight falls regularly on this lake. How the water from Indersar escapes is not known. Apparently there is no outlet.
Ksirsar:
After crossing Chittinadi, there is gradual ascent along the base of the peaks to Ksirsar. The distance is over 4 kms. Ksirsar is spread over thirty kanals. Though circular in shape, it has numerous podia-like elongations. The lake has a clear outlet for water. Its water is milky-white. Since the peaks are too close, no circumambulation of the lake is possible. It is said that there is a big memorial stone of cow. Water oozing out from the glaciers on the peaks falls on the cow and then comes out through teats into the lake. The lake has a clear outlet for its waters.Ksirsar finds mention in Nilmat and Naubhandana mahatmya. The latter describes Ksirsar as resembling a full-moon of Purnima, with its water looking like Ksir. It refers to Upmanu’s asrama here. As per Naubhandna Mahatmya, the lake was created by Sankara himself and one reaches Shivlok by taking bath in it. Nilmat says,” one attains heaven and saves one’s family by seeing the sacrificial place of Brahma there. By seeing there the beautiful Ksirsara, one is released from sins. By bathing on the dark 14th after reaching the source of the Samara (? Chittinadi), one is freed from all the sins and is honoured in the world of Rudra”. Naubhandana Mahtmaya says Upmanu’s asrama is situated in the forest around Ksirsar.
Brahmsar:
While going from Chiryunbal to Hakwas, a bridge is crossed near Hera (upper) Chiryun bal. Then one has to climb gradually a distance of 8 kms (3 hrs), at places over old snow, to reach Brahmsar Lake.Bath in Brahmsar lake, as per Naubhandna mahatmya, has the merit of getting access to Brahmlok.The water of the lake comes out through a regular outlet. Pilgrims desirous of taking bath do not venture to go into the lake. They take out water for bath from the lake at its outlet. Brahmsar lake is spread over 15 kanals.
The path from Brahmsar to Konsarnag is via Ksirsar and Indersar and is quite tough. Only Old Kashmiri Pandits shepherds and Bakarwals take this route.For Kashmiri Pandits this route has a very imporant glory so our ancestors take this route.
Meaning of the Shalokas From Nilmat Purana-
Verse 181. Brahma, Visnu and S'ambhu gave their own names to the peaks on which they had taken
their stand, on the earth.
Verse 182-183. O best among men, they said to the high peaks of the high-souled king of the mountains: "Whoever shall see you after taking bath in this lake called Kramasara, shall see three of us on the mountain and will go to heaven.
Kausarnag (sometimes alternatively spelled as Konsarnag) is located at an altitude of 12,000 ft, has been worshipped since times immemorial as Visnupad (foot of Visnu). In Nilmat Times it was called by its Sanskrit name Kramasaras or Kramsara (Kramafootstep, Saras lake).The lake is shaped as a foot and it is believed that Lord Vishnu had placed his holy foot in the place where the present big lake was formed. Since it is supposed to mark the footstep of Visnu, it is the main objective of the Naubandhana pilgrimage.
JOURNEY
Naubhandana Tirtha is located in Kulgam tehsil. One can reach Konsarnag lake by Avil. Avil (old name, Awal) was in olden times ruled by a Kotraj (local chief), who controlled the territory from Damhal Hanjipora to Aharbal.
Avil to Konsarnag
Indersar :
Indersar lake is 2 kms from Lahanpathri. God Indra who figures in Konsarnag mythology is associated with this lake. Unlike Ksirsar and Brahmsar, this lake finds no mention in Nilmat or Naubandhana mahatmya. Lake is circular in shape, about 1 km in circumference. Lake water is warm as sunlight falls regularly on this lake. How the water from Indersar escapes is not known. Apparently there is no outlet.
Ksirsar:
After crossing Chittinadi, there is gradual ascent along the base of the peaks to Ksirsar. The distance is over 4 kms. Ksirsar is spread over thirty kanals. Though circular in shape, it has numerous podia-like elongations. The lake has a clear outlet for water. Its water is milky-white. Since the peaks are too close, no circumambulation of the lake is possible. It is said that there is a big memorial stone of cow. Water oozing out from the glaciers on the peaks falls on the cow and then comes out through teats into the lake. The lake has a clear outlet for its waters.Ksirsar finds mention in Nilmat and Naubhandana mahatmya. The latter describes Ksirsar as resembling a full-moon of Purnima, with its water looking like Ksir. It refers to Upmanu’s asrama here. As per Naubhandna Mahatmya, the lake was created by Sankara himself and one reaches Shivlok by taking bath in it. Nilmat says,” one attains heaven and saves one’s family by seeing the sacrificial place of Brahma there. By seeing there the beautiful Ksirsara, one is released from sins. By bathing on the dark 14th after reaching the source of the Samara (? Chittinadi), one is freed from all the sins and is honoured in the world of Rudra”. Naubhandana Mahtmaya says Upmanu’s asrama is situated in the forest around Ksirsar.
Brahmsar:
While going from Chiryunbal to Hakwas, a bridge is crossed near Hera (upper) Chiryun bal. Then one has to climb gradually a distance of 8 kms (3 hrs), at places over old snow, to reach Brahmsar Lake.Bath in Brahmsar lake, as per Naubhandna mahatmya, has the merit of getting access to Brahmlok.The water of the lake comes out through a regular outlet. Pilgrims desirous of taking bath do not venture to go into the lake. They take out water for bath from the lake at its outlet. Brahmsar lake is spread over 15 kanals.
The path from Brahmsar to Konsarnag is via Ksirsar and Indersar and is quite tough. Only Old Kashmiri Pandits shepherds and Bakarwals take this route.For Kashmiri Pandits this route has a very imporant glory so our ancestors take this route.
Meaning of the Shalokas From Nilmat Purana-
Verse 181. Brahma, Visnu and S'ambhu gave their own names to the peaks on which they had taken
their stand, on the earth.
Verse 182-183. O best among men, they said to the high peaks of the high-souled king of the mountains: "Whoever shall see you after taking bath in this lake called Kramasara, shall see three of us on the mountain and will go to heaven.
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