Bhagsu Naag Temple Darshan *ღ☆¸.•°*♥ हरी ॐ Holy Waterfall ~ Dharamkot ~

 

Just 2 km from McLeod Ganj, the lovely Headquarters
of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is the ancient Bhagsunag Temple dedicated to 
Lord Shiva. There is a natural stream that continually fills the pools of this lovely 
mountain Temple!

      Bhagsu Nag Mandir is an ancient temple believed to be built in Treta Yug
(around 9,100 years ago) bu King Bhagsu of Rajasthan.  Once during his reign
there was a severe drought in his capital, Ajmer.  His subjects, represented by 
their local chiefs, threatened to abandon the kingdom if the situation persisted. 
Concerned for his people the king set out in pursuit of water.  Three days of his
quest lead him to the holy Naagdal Lake, situated at a height of approx. 18,000
ft.  This area was inhabited by the rulers of the Naag Dynasty.  The Naags are
powerful religio-mythical snakes of the King Cobra species that are considered
demi-gods and are companions, also adornments, of Lord Shiva. The lake is 
thought by the locals to be sacred and to have medicinal properties.  Being a 
wizard and adept in magic, King Bhagsu put all the water of Naag Dal Lake into
his kamandalu ( magic pot).  He then started a journey back to his province in
Rajasthan.  But it was late in the evening so he decided to stay for the night at 
the place where the Bhagsu Naag Temple is now situated.
       Meanwhile, the local King Naag Shankar and other locals were shocked
to see the lake empty within less than a few hours.  They followed his footprints
and reached the place where King Bhagsu was staying. There and then a battle
ensued between King Naag Shankar and King Bhagsu.  During the fight the
vessel containing the lake's water fell to the ground and turned into natural
streams and waterfalls.  Being a devotee and manifestation of Lord Shiva,
king Naag Shankar was a divine being and virtually invincible.  King Bhagsu
realized this after he was defeated.  he asked for forgiveness, grace, and
blessings from King Naag Shankar.  He also prayed that his kingdom be
granted water resources.  Naag Shankar gave him a boon that from henseforth
the place would be known and referred to by King Bhagsu's name first, and
subsequently by his name, Naag Shankar.  Thus, this place came to be called
Bhagsu Naag.
        In the beginning of Kali Yuga, approx. 5,100 years ago, King Dharam
Chand was directed in a dream by Lord Shiva to build a temple here to bring
prosperity to the region.  Both Dharamshala and Dharamkot have been named
after this king Dharam Chand.

A short distance from the Temple one reaches this entrance spot...and sees
that the Waterfall is at quite a distance!  It's actually this long but lovely walk
around this Himalayan mountain! Down below one can see people, among
them monks, having a holy bath in the flowing stream!!

                         Here, closer to the waterfall, are also these blue-covered huts.

When I told Swami Jnananandaji that I was 

staying this Summer at Dharamkot, just above 

McLeod Ganj, Swamiji said that he had been living

 here for some time very long ago, in his youth. 

He then told me that there was a holy waterfall 

where he used to bath and that many Tibetan monks

also used to come there for a holy bath.

  (`*•.¸(`*•.¸,♥,¸.•*´)¸.•*´) 

 ♥«•OM MANI PADME HUM•»♥
 (¸.•*´(¸.•*’´♥`’*•.¸)`*•.¸)

Maha Shivarathri¸¸.*.✽.*.¸.*★.¸¸.* ☆The Great Night of Shiva☆ ๑۩۞۩๑இڿڰۣ-ڰۣღ๑۩۞۩๑

Lord Shivaji Neelkant Gangadhar

This Maha Shivarathri is one of the four nights of the year that holds a Secret

 Blessing for those who would keep Awake until Dawn, an all night vigil.

 The other three nights being Krsna Janamashtami; Deevali; and Holi.

 Many also keep a days fast!

The day is spent in preparation for the long night of spiritual practices, 

perhaps at the temple kirtana, haven, or puja ; at a lone venue

 in a special inspiring atmosphere for immersion in yoga; 

or at ones Inner Shrine, simply meditating at home!

Wherever  one chooses to be on this night,

all night, maybe in a remote Ancient Temple deep in the Himalayas,

or before a glowing fire in ecstasy chanting Mantras and prayers, 

concentrate on the True Friend of the Soul,

the Eternal Majesty of the Almighty Benevolent One,

The All Compassionate and Merciful Dispeller of Darkness,

The Ever Blissful Light of Light! ~

~ Lord Shiva Mahadev ~

Shivarathri comes on the 14th night of the waning moon every month.

This Maha Shivarathi comes once every year during this month. 

Ancient knowledge of the scriptures of India marks this night 

as extremely special shown by a particular alignment of the Sun, 

Moon, and the Earth causing in this most silent of nights 

a most powerful flow of subtle energy that is available to us all 

to rise our conscious level, a pure gift of Lord Shiva, if you will.

It is not just a night of waking, but of Awaking!!       

And as your practice continues through the night the mind is absorbed,

the sleepiness it once felt at it's usual time has long passed by the power

of the heart's concentration on a finer purpose, Higher Desire, a Greater Love!

The fatigue of the body gets forgotten in the pursuit of the Blessed Night of 

Grace.

And there comes a point in time, in this night, that one reaches a place so 

focused

as to go beyond the limits of the body into a spaceless place of pure 

timelessness!

Here there is no description in words for this state, it is one to be 

Experienced!

To flow deep into the Inner Revelations of your Essential Being 

and to drink the Nectarine Grace of this night is all the Compassion 

of Ras Raseshwar Shiva!

Parmeshwaraya Sada Shivaya!  Yogeshwaraya Mahadevaya!

"Om Namah Shivaya*Om Namah Shivaya*Om Namah Shivaya"

Maha Shivarathri ~ Feb.20, 2012 ๑۩۞۩๑இڿڰۣ-ڰۣღ๑۩۞۩๑

Jaya Shiva Shankara Bam Bam Hara Hara!

Om Namah Shivaya! Shivaya Namah Om!
๑۩۞۩๑இڿڰۣ-ڰۣღ๑۩۞۩๑இڿڰۣ-ڰۣღ