Bhaderwah Development Authority

It is a famous place of pilgrimage and the Kund is a big lake of cold, crystal clear water having a circumference of 1.5 miles. Kailash kund also known as Vasuki kund, is abode of Nagraj Vasuki and is situated at a height of 1 4500 ft. above sea level. Every year thousands of pilgrims from districts of Chamba, Kathua, Udhampur, Doda, Jammu and outside states participate in Kailash Yatra which commences on the 14th day after Shravan Purnima. Main yatra starts from Gatha, Bhadarwah. The track from Seoj passes through the spot called as Shank Padar & Ramtund which is known for its religious legends called 'SHAGARAN' (Two stones which exactly resembles the face of Hanuman). Huge stone contains etch mark and an etched line which are believed to be the spot where the fleeing Vaski Naag' wept while taking rest on the said stone. Total distance is 12 miles. Enroute join a number of Yatras, besides yatras from Chamba and Duggan Vasuki temple which join main yatra at Kailash. Pilgrims keep awake all nights singing Bhajans, Kirtans, shouting Jai Ghosh and dancing to the melodious tune of Dhakku. The Yatra lasts for 15 days.

          An ancient Aap Shambu Shiva temple is situated almost at 3 ½ km from Bhadarwah town near Gatha village at hamlet Lingah. One can find the location of the temple near the fish pond after traveling hardly a distance of 300mts on foot. The temple is situated in the grove of almus and fruit trees at the bottom of the hill near the bank of the Neeru Nallah. No doubt, a beautiful spot, abode of peace and every body finds consolation of mind there. Hermits stay there for months together for mediation and even some of them finds ‘Dharshans of Lord Shiva.

          Strange enough, the Lingam 1 ¾ feet in height and three feet in girth in its natural form in black in colour popularly known as Aap shambu which has erupted from the surface of the earth is accompanied  BY THE IDOL OF ‘Ganesha’ 7”x11” in height along with idol of ‘Kartika’. According to a legend the supposed height of Lingam is 16 feet but a hermit had forbidden the people in their dreams not a dig it beyond this depth. The people wanted to shift this Lingam to a densely populated area of Bhadarwah for construction of the temple there which becomes the impossible after finding the limitless depth of Lingam. On eastern side there are Samadhi; one of them is popularly known as “Jewat Samadhi”. Inside the temple there is no outlet kept for the water to flow out which collects during the worship of idols and it gradually absorbs without any traces of water seen outside the temple. The flowers used in the Puja may block the water but the question of blockade does not arise at all.

          Devotees in thousand from for wide throng there throughout the year. They pay homage to the idols especially Shivratri festival. It is celebrated on Trodeshi and Chaturdeshi of Phagun month. [i.e. Feb/ March] every year. The pilgrims including men, women and children keep fast for these days. They prefer to take bath in holy Neeru before going to the temple. Each devotee worships the idols the pouring a jug of water and offering flowers followed by chanting bhajans/mantras from morning till late night. Ladies also participate in Keertan and prayers. At the end the Pujari of the temple offers ‘Prasad’ to the pilgrims/ devotees in the form of charanamrit and fruit.

          There an other legend. The cow boys of Gatha village and Girls of Chinta used to graze their cattle at Lingah collectively, as it was lonely place then once a quarrel started between the parents of Girls and Boys at Lingah on the false report of the Girls that the Boys have been eve teasing them. The trifle later on turned into a blood shed. So many people lost their lives. Swords and other weapons were used and there was no possibility of stopping this bloodshed. In the mean time, there appeared an idol of cow from earth’s surface which served a warning for the worst consequences. The idol of cow is still beside the Shiva temple.

          Instantly, the Lingam of Lord Shiva erupted from the surface of the earth. The people become aware of the consequences and th3e so called battle stopped .The people decided to burry those weapons near village Gatha in the field. The fact is still supported by the flowing of rusty water. The idols of those involved girls are still near HSS Chinta and there faces are being burnt by the young boys at the time of local festival in September every year.