Where warriors sleep beneath the lake, and the sky listens to silent vows
Perched at a breathtaking 3,334 meters above sea level in the Seraj Valley of Mandi district, the Kamrunag Temple is one of Himachal’s most mystical and revered shrines, dedicated to Lord Kamrunag, the Rain God and guardian of truth and sacrifice. Set beside a sacred lake surrounded by dense deodar forests, this temple is a place where myth, nature, and devotion converge in timeless silence.
🌄 Location & Accessibility
- Location: Kamrunag Lake, near Rohanda, Seraj Valley, Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh – 175047
- Altitude: 3,334 meters (10,940 feet)
- By Road: 55 km from Mandi to Rohanda; from there, a 6 km trek to the temple
- By Rail: Joginder Nagar (~90 km) or Shimla (~120 km)
- By Air: Bhuntar Airport (~100 km) or Chandigarh Airport (~200 km)
- Trek Route: Rohanda to Kamrunag – a moderate forest trail with panoramic views of the Balh and Dhauladhar ranges
🕉️ Deity & Worship
The temple is dedicated to Lord Kamrunag, also known as Bada Dev, believed to be the Yaksha warrior Barbarik, grandson of Bhima and son of Ghatotkacha from the Mahabharata. According to legend:
- Barbarik vowed to fight for the weaker side in the war, but Lord Krishna, fearing his power, asked for his head in sacrifice
- The severed head was placed on this peak, where it witnessed the entire Mahabharata war
- The deity is now worshipped as Kamrunag, the silent witness and rain-bringer
Devotees offer gold, silver, and coins into the sacred lake as a token of gratitude for fulfilled wishes. These offerings are never retrieved, as the lake is believed to be connected to the netherworld (Patal Lok) and holds the treasures of the gods.
🏛️ Temple & Setting
The temple is a simple wooden structure, surrounded by:
- A crystal-clear lake, often frozen in winter
- Prayer flags and stone idols, nestled among alpine meadows
- A sacred grove, where silence is part of the ritual
- A mystical aura, where even the wind seems to whisper legends
Despite its simplicity, the temple’s spiritual gravity is immense, drawing pilgrims, sages, and trekkers alike.
📜 Mythological Significance
- Barbarik’s head was placed here by Krishna to observe the war without interfering
- The lake was created by Bhima, who struck the ground with his palm to provide water for the severed head
- The floating treasures in the lake are considered offerings to the divine, and no priest resides here year-round—only during the annual fair
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
- Kamrunag Mela (June 14–15): A grand fair where thousands gather, offer valuables, and seek blessings
- Devta Processions: Local deities visit the lake during the fair
- Daily Worship (seasonal): Offerings of flowers, coins, and silent prayers
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- Shikari Devi Temple: A roofless Shakti shrine atop the highest peak in Mandi
- Janjehli Valley: A pristine Himalayan hamlet with trekking trails
- Parashar Lake & Temple: A sage’s sanctuary with a floating island
- Karsog Valley: Known for ancient temples and Pandava legends
🙏 Spiritual Experience
The Kamrunag Temple is not just a shrine—it is a soul’s mirror, a place where sacrifice becomes silence, and faith is measured in footsteps and offerings. As you stand by the lake, with the wind brushing your face and the water shimmering with unseen treasures, you feel the presence of a warrior who gave up everything to witness truth. It is a temple where the sky listens, and the **soul finds its vow in the stillness of the pines.
