#1 Dev Kamrunag Temple, Kamrunag Lake, Best Time To Visit And Routes

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#1 Dev Kamrunag Temple, Kamrunag Lake, Best Time to Visit and Routes

Bada Dev – Kamrunag Temple, Mandi: Dev Kamrunag Temple is situated at a height of 3,334m. Kamrunag is known for the lake and the temple besides the lake. View of Dhauladhar Range and Balh Valley adds to the scenic beauty of the spot where the lake and pent roof temple of Dev Kamrunag is surrounded by thick forests of deodar. As per tradition, Kamrunag is the King Yaksha of Mahabharta and was worshiped by Pandavas. He is also believed to be the “Lord of Rain” and is associated with the Kamrunag Lake and Temple.

There is a tradition of offering gold, silver and coins in the lake by devotees on the fulfillment of their wishes by Dev Kamrunag. It is not possible to estimate the quantity of gold ,silver and coins of other metal that lie at the bottom of the lake. For nature lovers, visit to Kamrunag is a visit to paradise. It takes 3 to 4 hours to complete the on foot journey from Rohanda to Kamrunag on a steep mountain path of about 6 Km.

Local Folklore

Kamrunag is a facinating figure in the folklore of Mandi revolving around some aspects:

Yaksha King: Dev Kamrunag is said to be the Yaksha king, a powerful being with supernatural abilities. Some believe him to be Barbarika, the grandson of Bhima from the epic Mahabharata.

Rain God: Locals revere Dev Kamrunag as the rain god. They believe worshiping him during droughts brings forth bountiful railfall. Local people believe that he appears every year to give blessings to his devotees in exchange for their offerings of flowers, coins or paper currency which they toss into Lake.

Guardian Spirit: Dev Kamrunag is also seen as a protector, ensuring justice and ritual purity. The surroundings forests are believed to be under his watch. It is said that Lake contains riches worth millions or even billions, but that no one has ever tried to steal from the lake for it is believed that misfortune follows the people who do this bad deed.

Annual Appearance: A popular belief is that Dev Kamrunag manifests every June at the Lake. Devotees gather for a fair, offering prayers and gifts in exchange for blessings. The festivities of Shivratri begin only after Dev Kamrunag arrives in Mandi. This marks the commencement of the seven-day International Shivratri Fair.

Integration with Shivratri Festivities: Dev Kamrunag visits the Madho Rai Temple and Raja Mahal, participating in rituals before residing at the Tarna Mata Temple during his stay at Mandi. The harmonious integration of rituals with Shivratri celebrations reflects the region’s unique blend of religious traditions.

Kamrunag Lake

The Lake is scenic high altitude nestled amidst the verdant Balh Valley and the DhaulaDhar mountain range. The lake is revered for its religious significance and is associated with local deity Dev Kamrunag. Legend has it that the lake was built by Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers from the epic Mahabharata. Devotees believe that lake contains immense wealth offered over the years by those seeking blessings from the deity.

Reaching here involves a moderately challenging trek of about 6km from the village of Rohanda. The trail winds through dense deodar forests, offering breathtaking views of the surroundings mountains and valleys. The lake is particularly enchanting during the summer months, when wildflowers bloom along the trail. The lake is hidden gem in Himachal Pradesh, offering a tranquil and spiritual experience amidst nature’s spendor.

Best Time to Visit Dev Kamrunag Temple

Annual Fair and Pleasant Weather

May and June are generally considered the best months to visit Dev Kamrunag. The weather is pleasant during this time, with mild temperatures and sunny days. A three day festival is also held at the temple in mid-June, which is great opportunity to experience the local culture and traditions.

Hiking and Avoiding Crowds

People interested in hiking and exploring the surrounding area should visit the temple in April to October. The weather is usually clear and dry during these months, making for good hiking conditions. The temple is located at high altitude so be sure to dress accordingly and pack some warn clothes.

Winter Wonderland

Usually you should avoid going to temple in the month of December to March. The winter season is at peak at this time and temple is often inaccessibly due to heavy snowfall. The trek is much more challenging during this time and you should avoid if you are not a experienced trekker.

How to Reach Dev Kamrunag Temple

Reaching Dev Kamrunag from Rohanda involves a scenic journey followed by a trek:

The two nearest towns to Kamrunag is:
- Mandi
- Sungernagar
You can reach them Air, Train or Bus.
The nearest airport is 104km away at Bhunter Airport, Kullu.
The nearest railway station is 101km away at Joginder Nagar, Mandi.

From Mandi or Sundernagar you can hire a cab or take a bus to Rohanda, a small village located 35km away. From Rohanda you can embark on 7km trek through a steep mountain park. The trek usually takes about 3-4 hours.

Reaching Dev Kamrunag from Devidarh involves a extreme offroad experience via Car:

The trek from rohanda is the only way to reach Dev Kamrunag in old days but in recent years government connected the Dev Kamrunag via Devidarh, a small village in Chanhyot 55km from Mandi and significantly reduced the trekking distance.

The road from devidarh to kamrunag is really dangerous, if you are planning to go in your personal vehicle be sure that you vehicle has good ground clearance and has 4×4 due to severe road conditions. This road is really difficult to drive and contains steep slopes and elevations.

Things to know before Kamrunag Trekking

Difficulty Level

The trek to Kamrunag is generally considered to be moderate to difficult. The trails can be steep and uneven, and altitude can be challenging for some people. The most common route, is from Rohanda is about 7km long with incline upto 80^o at some point. There are other routes with stepper trek but longer distance.

Time of Year

The best time to trek to Dev Kamrunag is from April to June and September to October. The weather is usually present during these times, and the trails are free of snow. The temple is closed during the winter months due to heavy snowfall. There’s also a festival held at Dev Kamrunag every year just before the rainy season.

Physical Fitness

It is important to be in good physical condition before attempting the trek. The hike is long and strenuous, and you will need to be able to walk uphill for several hours straight. You need to start training few weeks before if you are not used to trekking.

Things to Pack

Some important things to pack for the trek are:

Water
Snacks
Sunscreen
Sturdy Shoes
Hat
Sunglasses
Rain Gear
First Aid Kit
Warm Clothes

Guides and Permits

It is highly recommended to use guide if you are not familiar with the areas although its not mandatory. A guide can help you navigate the trails and ensure your safety. There are no permits required for the trek of Dev Kamrunag.

Facilities Available

There are no shops or restaurants available on the trek, so be sure to bring everything you need. There is a small eatery near the temple that offer basic food options like Maggi, momos, rice dal, but its best not to rely on them. You can occasionally find some tent shops during the trek with some basic things like maggi and water but that about it. There is also basic toilet facilities available near the temple.

Who is Kamrunag Devta?

As per tradition, Kamrunag is the King Yaksha of Mahabharta and was worshiped by Pandavas. There is a tradition of offering gold, silver and coins in the lake by devotees on the fulfillment of their wishes by Dev Kamrunag.

What is story behind the Kamrunag Temple?

The yaksha could not resist and he had to offer what the Lord had asked for, his head. He gave away his head and asked the Lord to keep it alive until the Great War was over. The Lord immediately agreed and blessed him with the same, his head was brought to the Kamru Hill and today it is known as Kamrunag Temple.

Are Kamrunag and Khatu Shyam the same?

Lord Krishna took his head to the battlefield and let him watch the battle. After the battle was over Lord Krishna blessed him that he will be worshipped as Khatu Shyam and his body will be worshipped as Kamru.

How to reach Dev Kamrunag?

Since there is no direct road to Kamrunag, people usually trek through the 6-kilometer steep mountain path to reach the Kamrunag. It usually takes 3 to 4 hours to reach the temple on foot journey from Rohanda or Chailchowk.

What is the mystery of Kamrunag Lake?

Kamrunag Lake is located near the Kamrunag Temple, and it is said that the treasure of trillions is hidden inside the lake, which has not been extracted by anyone till now. People believe that the lake is protected by the god Kamrunag himself.