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THE PLACE
Mana also happens to be the last human settlement en route to Tibet.
MYTH - THE PASSAGE TO MANA
The name Mana is derived from 'Manibhadra Ashram' as it used to be known in the ancient times, in deference to its patron God, Manibhadra. It was in this little village that the sacred Indian texts of the Vedas and Puranas were supposedly compiled. The famous epic, the Mahabharata, is also believed to have been composed in one of Mana's caves, the Vyas Gufa, named after its author, the sage, Rishi Vyas. Mana is even supposed to have witnessed the passage to the Pandavas, the five main characters of the Mahabharata, on their way to Heaven, after they renounced their kingdom.
There are at least two traces of their passage through Mana, seen namely in the Bhim Pul and the Vasudhara waterfall. Bhima, the bravest of the five Pandava brothers is credited with having created the Bhim Pul or Bhima's Bridge, by kicking a big rock across the River Saraswati so that Draupadi, the wife of the five brothers, could get to the other side. Today, the sight of the River Saraswati dashing headlong into the Bhim Pul, then being tossed up in the air into a foaming spray, is indeed an awesome and heady experience.
As for the Vasudhara waterfall, it drops from an impressive height of about 125 meter over a hanging valley. Three kilometers away from Bhim Pul, the waterfall is said to be the source of the river Alaknanda, where it falls from Heaven, and the spot where the Pandavas bathed. There is a path leading directly from the village to its base, where it crosses a bridge then continue west along the side valley towards the Satopanth mountain.
The Alaknanda and Saraswati rivers meet just below Mana at Keshavprayag. This is also where the patron God Manibhadra is said to reside.
Close to Keshav Prayag is the temple of Mata Murti, mother of the celestial sages, Nar and Narayan. An annual fair is held here, two days after Ashtami during Navratri. In close proximity to this temple stands the Maninag mountain. It is believed that this used to shelter an enchanted pool, over which a Yaksha or demon exercised his power. This pool would recede each time someone came for water, and the Yaksha declared that any passerby unable to answer his questions would have his soul captured. Four of the Pandavas disappeared in this manner, one by one, when they went to fetch water for Draupadi. Yudhishtir, the fifth one, gave all the correct answers (which have been recorded in the Mahabharata) and resurrected his brothers.
On a huge rock on the right bank of the Saraswati is what is supposed to be the impression of Lord Vishnu's horse that was made to disappear when it disturbed the meditation of a Rishi.
The impressions of what are believed to be Lord Vishnu's footprints are at the entrance of the Machhukund gufa or cave, a little beyond Mana. It is where Lord Vishnu rushed to seek a Rishi's help in warding off a demon. The Rishi turned the demon into the stones that lie scattered outside the cave. The inhabitants of Mana, for superstitious reasons, refrain from using these stones for the construction of their houses
THE LANDSCAPE
The landscape in and around Mana village is rugged and bare, with towering rock faces on all sides. The dwellings are simple: stone cottages, single or double storied, with mud plastering and slanting, slate-tiled roofs, which are built into the hillside. Some of the cottages have elaborately carved old wooden windows, appearing a trifle incongruous on the simple facades.
THE ATTIRE OF MANA
The bhotia's or the local inhabitants are stout and well built with high cheekbones, slanting eyes and olive complexion. To keep warm, they dress in several layers, including a long, dark dress of blanket-cloth or hemp pleated both in front and back. Their headgear resembles a folded napkin. The colorful trinkets and jewelry they wear offset the dark shade of their outer garment.
LIFE OF MANA
Mana has a primary school for both boys and girls. It is quite a treat to watch the red and black-uniformed children running home from school, shrieking with delight. The inhabitants of Mana still retain their semi-nomadic character in the sense that they move southwards to a warmer climate with the onset of winter, taking with them all their belongings. Then, when the snow melts and the slate-roofed cottages emerge from their hibernation, the people of Mana trudge back to their quaint little village high up in the Garhwal mountains, and start life afresh, undisturbed by the rest of civilization below.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is available at Badrinath four km away. Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam's Devlok Hotel, Gujarat Bhawan and a number of other low budget hotels are also there.
HOW TO REACH
By Air
The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant at Dehradun at a distance of 319 km.
By Rail
The nearest railhead is Rishikesh 301 km away.
By Road
Mana is linked to Badrinath, which is four km away. Taxis are available from here, but trekking is a better way to enjoy the short journey.
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