Stories
Mana: India's First Village with a Roaring River Below and a Magnificent Bridge Above!
- •Mana, India's first village, is located near Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, just 3 km from Badrinath.
- •The village features the natural Bhim Pul bridge over the Saraswati River, believed to have been built by Bhima for Draupadi.
- •The Swargarohini Marg, where the Pandavas ascended to heaven, starts from Bhim Pul, leading to the mysterious Vasudhara Falls.
- •The Vasudhara Falls, 5 km from Bhim Pul, are fabled to not fall on sinners, adding to the village's mystical allure.
- •The Satopanth Tal trek, starting from Badrinath, includes the Draupadi Temple and Mata Murti Temple, culminating at Satopanth Tal where deities are believed to bathe.
Key Questions Answered
Bhim Pul is a natural stone bridge built over the Saraswati River in Mana village, which is believed to have been constructed by Bhima to help Draupadi cross the river. It marks the starting point of the Swargarohini Marg, the path historically associated with the Pandavas' journey to heaven.
The Swargarohini Marg starts from Bhim Pul in Mana village and is believed to be the path used by the Pandavas and Draupadi to ascend to heaven. Along this route, travelers encounter the Draupadi Temple, the mysterious Vasudhara Falls, and eventually reach Chakratirth and Satopanth Tal.
Mana village experiences extreme winter conditions from November to February, with temperatures dropping well below freezing and heavy snowfall that blocks roads and cuts off communication. Because of this harsh weather, most families temporarily migrate to lower areas like Joshimath until conditions normalize.
