Man’s quest for truth includes, besides his other efforts, pilgrimages to various shrines and far-flung holy places. This book has a special significance with Manimahesh-yatra as its central theme. Around this central theme the author weaves all those significant details, which will be quite useful for a future pilgrim to Siva’s abode. The halt at Bharmaur (ancient capital of Chamba) is still more prudently utilized to dwell at length on the ‘Chaurasi complex’, the 84 Siddha shrines, the influence of Siddha Natha sect of medieval India on the Saivite practices of the Chamba people. The neighbouring shrines of Lord Ganesa, Laksana Devi, Narasimha and Nandi at ‘Chaurasi’, the shrine of Sakti Devi at Chhatradi, the temple architecture, the age-old religious practices and beliefs of the people and the Puranic tales associated with deities have all come under sharp focus of the discerning eye of the writer in this volume. Besides an in-depth treatment of historical, iconographical and archi
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kamal Prashad Sharma
Born in Chamba town of Chamba district (H.P) in the year 1934, Kamal Prashad Sharma is firmly rooted in the culture of Chamba to which he belongs. He has instinctive interest and commitment for matters of History, Art and Culture of this region. That explains his enthusiasm and relentless efforts for collecting materials and information which is fast disappearing and getting lost. He was primarily connected with the medical profession and has now retired from the job, but not retired from the creative work he has undertaken in his hand, i.e., ‘exploring and preserving’ the Art and Cultural aspect of the region. His profession in the government job provided him ample opportunities of touring the places situated far and wide and meeting the people of different parts of the state. He has written a couple of books on various aspects of Chamba culture, besides many papers and articles. He is also a moving spirit behind such cultural activities of Chamba, as the theatre, folk dances and other performances and film making which have since been telecast on the television. Valuable material regarding history, culture, religious understanding of this region has now been put together in this book.
There are no reviews yet.