Lake where gold, money offered to appease Kamrunag deity

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, June 23

Devotees and tourists are thronging Kamrunag lake, a famous tourist hotspot in Mandi district, these days.

The people, who visit here, offer money and jewellery in the lake water to appease the deity.

Major attraction for tourists here is cool clime in the summer season because the area is blessed with bounty of nature. One normally feels solace after reaching the Kamrunag temple site, where tourists can have a glimpse of the panoramic view of the lake nestled amid nature.

Locals say that a few years ago only people of the district used to visit the area during the two-day fair at Kamrunag. The fair is generally celebrated in the month of June every year. But after coming of the area on the tourism map, a large number of tourists from all over have started visiting the area round the year.

Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Rohanda, said the government should make efforts to regulate tourism at Kamrunag but must take steps to protect the sanctity of the area. This place has huge significance for local people.

He said this place can be developed for religious tourism and the state government should make efforts to provide necessary infrastructure to facilitate the tourists.

Birbal Sharma, a local resident, said Kamrunag is known as the Lord of Rain. As the tourist influx had been witnessing an increase in the region over the last few years, the district administration is promoting it for tourism purpose. The temple of Kamrunag deity is located in the midst of a thick forest.

A fair is held at this place on 14th of June every year. People make various offerings, including ornaments, coins and currency in the nearby lake.

“Due to tourist influx, protecting sanctity and ecology of the area becomes a challenging task for the local administration. There is a need to keep the area neat and clean. Similarly, arrangements must be made to ensure cleanliness of the lake,” he remarked.

He said the Himachal Pradesh High Court banning animal sacrifice in temples has made a positive impact on the tourism.

Earlier animals like goats and sheep used to be sacrificed on the temple premises in the open, which adversely impacted the visitors. However, after the ban, tourism seems to be flourishing here.

The Lord of Rain

• As the tourist count has been increasing over the last few years, the district administration is promoting it for tourism purpose 
• The temple of Kamrunag deity is located in the midst of a thick forest.
• A fair is held on June 14 every year
• People make various offerings, including ornaments, coins and currency in the lake