Mahunag Temple Shimla Near Tattapani Himachal Pradesh
The Mahunag Temple is located in the Karsog Valley of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, captivating tale that dates back to ancient times. It is dedicated to Lord Mahunag, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Karna of Mahabharata. Legend has it that the Lord metamorphosizes himself as a bee (Mahu) to help his troubled devotees. This temple is also known as Mahunag Temple Shimla, accessible from Shimla via the Naldehra and Tattapani route. You can also visit these beautiful places while you are travelling to mahunag temple.
According to Forktail, many years ago a farmer of village Shaibdal while plowing his field stumbled upon an idol. Unaware of its significance, the farmer brought it home. However, displeased by this act, the idol brought misfortune upon the farmer’s family. Concerned elders of the village advised the farmer to conduct a ceremony and install the idol at a hilltop. Following their counsel, the farmer performed the rituals and thus began the journey of the Mahunag Temple.
The Temple Archirecture
The present-day structure of Mahunag Temple was built in the 17th century by Raja Shyam Sen. Built in a traditional pahadi style, it’s beauty captivates all who behold it. Divided into two main sections, the temple offers a journey through legend and faith. As you step into the outer section, you’re greeted by Mahunag Devta, the deity revered by devotees. On the left, an eternal flame flickers, its origin steeped in legend. Long ago, a lightning bolt struck a tree, setting it ablaze.
Since then, the flame has remained alight, a symbol of eternal divinity. What’s truly mysterious is that no one has ever cleared its ashes, leaving the town pondering its enigmatic fate. Inside the inner sanctum, the temple walls narrate tales from the Mahabharata, focusing on the valorous deeds of Karna. Exiting from the right side, visitors encounter two statues: one crafted from stone, the other from cedarwood, adding to the temple’s mystical ambiance.
Celebrations and Procession
Every year, on Lord Karna’s birthday, devotees bring out his idol in a grand procession. Additionally, an annual fair held in July [Makar sakranti] celebrates the deity’s grace and blessings. The fair has an intriguing backstory: during the British colonial era, a local resident found himself imprisoned in Shimla. Desperate and seeking divine intervention, he fervently prayed to Lord Mahunag. Miraculously, Lord Mahunag appeared in the jail cell, aiding the resident’s escape and ensuring his freedom. In gratitude, the resident organized a grand ceremony, marking the inception of the annual fair.
How to Reach the Mahunag Temple
The Mahunag Temple 25km away from Karsog town with the pleasant weather throughout all seasons and temperatures ranging between 12 to 20 degrees Celsius. You can visit during any season; however, during winter, expect snowfall, and from July to September, during the rainy season, landslides may occur.
- If you follow the route from Mandi to Mahunag Temple, it takes approximately 3 hours and 8 minutes to cover a distance of 87.0 km via Karsog – Sundernagar – Mandi Rd and SH (state highway) 13.
- You can also take an alternate route from Shimla to Mahunag Temple; the distance is 106.3 km and the travel time is approximately 3 hours and 36 minutes via SH 13.
- If you wish to stay overnight, there is lodging available within the temple premises, including a PWD Guest House and a Forest Rest House.
- There is no entry fee at Mahunag Temple.
Tattapani: A hot water springs enroute
The distance from Mahunag Temple to Tattapani is 35 km and is enroute if your journey to temple begins from Shimla. It is renowned for its famous hot water springs. The hot water spring in Tattapani is rich in sulphur content and is believed to possess curative powers. It is believed that the water in the hot spring at Tattapani holds medicinal value. A dip in the hot water is thought to cure skin diseases, joint pains, and fatigue. However, it disappears during June and July when the river’s level rises and reappears in November and December. Additionally, Tattapani is a popular destination for river rafting. You can truly enjoy rafting in Tattapani as the flow of the Sutlej River is truly awesome.
