Dunagiri: Difference between revisions
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{{For|the mountain|Dunagiri (mountain)}} |
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'''Dunagiri - Kumaon, India''' |
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| ⚫ | '''Dunagiri''' is a historic area in the Indian hill state of [[Uttarakhand]]. Approximately 400 km (250 miles) from Delhi, a cluster of six small villages forms the place that is variously known as Dunagiri, Drongiri and Doonagiri. 116 such villages combine to form the Development Block of [[Dwarahat]], which falls under the District of [[Almora]] in [[Uttarakhand]], India. Ancient forests and pristine landscapes define the area which has been a favorite haunt of mystics, writers, philosophers and poets over the millennia. Located at a height of 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) above sea level, Dunagiri is famous within Kumaon for its temple of [[Shakti]] – known here as Dunagiri [[Devi]]. Dunagiri’s distinctiveness and special place in the modern World lies not merely in its fascinating history and captivating beauty, it is rather the serene and spiritual atmosphere of this place that strikes the mind and brings peace to the soul. |
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| ⚫ | '''Dunagiri''' is |
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Dunagiri also has a distinctive importance in cultural history of India. Ancient history and folk-lore related to Dunagiri tells us it has been regularly visited by ''Rishi-Munis'' of India who established their [[ashrams]] here in the midst of nature<ref>Dunagiri Nature Retreat http://www.dunagiri.com/history.html</ref>. [[Ashram]] of ''Garg Muni'' was at Dunagiri after whom river Gagas is said to have been named. Sukhdev Muni’s ''ashram'' (son of sage Ved Vyasa) was also here, at a place now known as “Sukh Devi”. In the epic [[Ramayan]], during ''[[Treta]] Yuga'' (prior to 3100 BC), when [[Lakshman]] was hit by the arrow of [[Ravana]], [[Hanuman]] saved his life by bringing divine herbs (''Sanjeevani booti'' or [[Sanjeevani]] herb) from this mountain which was then known as Drongiri or Dronagiri. During their period of anonymous travel, the [[Pandavas]] of [[Mahabharata]] took shelter at Dunagiri. Pandukholi is said to be the place near Dunagiri where they stayed for a period of time. Pandav’s Guru [[Dronacharya]] also did ''tapasya'' (devout austerity) at Dunagiri. Dunagiri is mentioned in ''Manas khand'' of '''[[Skanda Purana]]'''. Dunagiri ''[[Devi]]'' is described as ''Mahamaya Harpriya'' (''Manaskhand, 36.17-18''). |
Dunagiri also has a distinctive importance in cultural history of India. Ancient history and folk-lore related to Dunagiri tells us it has been regularly visited by ''Rishi-Munis'' of India who established their [[ashrams]] here in the midst of nature<ref>Dunagiri Nature Retreat http://www.dunagiri.com/history.html</ref>. [[Ashram]] of ''Garg Muni'' was at Dunagiri after whom river Gagas is said to have been named. Sukhdev Muni’s ''ashram'' (son of sage Ved Vyasa) was also here, at a place now known as “Sukh Devi”. In the epic [[Ramayan]], during ''[[Treta]] Yuga'' (prior to 3100 BC), when [[Lakshman]] was hit by the arrow of [[Ravana]], [[Hanuman]] saved his life by bringing divine herbs (''Sanjeevani booti'' or [[Sanjeevani]] herb) from this mountain which was then known as Drongiri or Dronagiri. During their period of anonymous travel, the [[Pandavas]] of [[Mahabharata]] took shelter at Dunagiri. Pandukholi is said to be the place near Dunagiri where they stayed for a period of time. Pandav’s Guru [[Dronacharya]] also did ''tapasya'' (devout austerity) at Dunagiri. Dunagiri is mentioned in ''Manas khand'' of '''[[Skanda Purana]]'''. Dunagiri ''[[Devi]]'' is described as ''Mahamaya Harpriya'' (''Manaskhand, 36.17-18''). |
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In Creation, one can wonder if the element of ''[[Shakti]]'' is primary or that of ''[[Shiva]]''? Is it right to emphasize ''[[Prakriti]]'' or should it be ''[[Purusha]]''? Is it to be known as feminine or masculine? Questions of such nature are answered in '''Shwetashwet [[upanishad]]''' in the context of Dunagiri’s twin peak-heads. In fact, this ''[[Upanishad]]'' is believed to have been inspired/composed at Dunagiri itself. The fourth chapter of ''Shwetashwet upanishad'', pondering on divinity, takes inspiration from Dunagiri’s twin natural peaks (one can see the twin rock pieces inside Dunagiri temple as well). Hence Manaskhand of Skandpuran bestows Dunagiri with the title of Brahm-parvat (Divine Mountain). Among all the [[Shakti]] temples of [[Kumaon]], Dunagiri is counted amid the most ancient ‘''Sidh Shaktipeeth''’, as an primary ‘''ugra''’ (intense) ‘''peeths''’ - called ‘''Ugra Peeth''’. This ''shaktipeeth'' in its essence has been influenced over time by ''[[Shaiva]]'', ''[[Vaishnav]]'' and ''[[Shakt]]'' practices. |
In Creation, one can wonder if the element of ''[[Shakti]]'' is primary or that of ''[[Shiva]]''? Is it right to emphasize ''[[Prakriti]]'' or should it be ''[[Purusha]]''? Is it to be known as feminine or masculine? Questions of such nature are answered in '''Shwetashwet [[upanishad]]''' in the context of Dunagiri’s twin peak-heads. In fact, this ''[[Upanishad]]'' is believed to have been inspired/composed at Dunagiri itself. The fourth chapter of ''Shwetashwet upanishad'', pondering on divinity, takes inspiration from Dunagiri’s twin natural peaks (one can see the twin rock pieces inside Dunagiri temple as well). Hence Manaskhand of Skandpuran bestows Dunagiri with the title of Brahm-parvat (Divine Mountain). Among all the [[Shakti]] temples of [[Kumaon]], Dunagiri is counted amid the most ancient ‘''Sidh Shaktipeeth''’, as an primary ‘''ugra''’ (intense) ‘''peeths''’ - called ‘''Ugra Peeth''’. This ''shaktipeeth'' in its essence has been influenced over time by ''[[Shaiva]]'', ''[[Vaishnav]]'' and ''[[Shakt]]'' practices. |
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A special place to mystics and seekers of spirituality, it is not surprising that places such as Dunagiri, where we seem to step from one plane of existence to another, are most often associated with wild or remote landscapes, with unfamiliar territory where our usual modes of control do not work, where instead, the unknown actually becomes our means of discovery. Many religious traditions have stories of their teachers and saints experiencing intense life-changing encounters with ''Divinity'' in the midst of nature. |
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{{Infobox Mountain |
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| Name = Mount Dunagiri |
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| Photo = |
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| Caption = |
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| Elevation = {{Convert|7066|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} |
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| Location = [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]] |
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| Range = [[Nanda Devi National Park|Nanda Devi Group]], [[Garhwal Division|Garhwal]] [[Himalaya]] |
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| Prominence = circa {{Convert|1200|m|ft|-2|abbr=on}}<ref name="prom">This is an approximate figure, based on the 1:150,000 scale topographic map ''Garhwal-Himalaya-Ost'', Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research.</ref> |
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| Coordinates = {{coord|30|31|57|N|79|50|02|E|type:mountain}} |
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| Topographic map = |
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| First ascent = July 5, 1939 by [[André Roch]], F. Steuri, D. Zogg<ref name="neate">Jill Neate, ''High Asia: An Illustrated History of the 7000 Metre Peaks'', ISBN 0-89886-238-8 |
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</ref> |
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| Easiest route = southwest ridge: rock/snow/ice climb |
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}} |
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'''Mount Dunagiri, Garhwal, India.''' |
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'''Dunagiri''' is one of the high peaks of the [[Garhwal Division|Garhwal]] [[Himalaya]] in the northern [[India]]n state of [[Uttarakhand]]. It lies at the northwest corner of the Sanctuary Wall, a ring of peaks surrounding [[Nanda Devi]] and enclosing the [[Nanda Devi National Park|Nanda Devi Sanctuary]]. |
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Dunagiri was first climbed on [[July 5]], [[1939]]<ref name="year">Some sources say 1947.</ref> by the [[Switzerland|Swiss]] climbers [[André Roch]], F. Steuri, and D. Zogg, via the southwest ridge. In 1975, [[Joe Tasker]] and Dick Renshaw climbed a particularly difficult route on the southeast buttress in a significant milestone for alpine-style climbing.<ref name="him_alpine_style">Andy Fanshawe and Stephen Venables, ''Himalaya Alpine-Style'', Hodder and Stoughton, 1995, ISBN 0-340-64931-3</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 16:46, 23 December 2009
Dunagiri is a historic area in the Indian hill state of Uttarakhand. Approximately 400 km (250 miles) from Delhi, a cluster of six small villages forms the place that is variously known as Dunagiri, Drongiri and Doonagiri. 116 such villages combine to form the Development Block of Dwarahat, which falls under the District of Almora in Uttarakhand, India. Ancient forests and pristine landscapes define the area which has been a favorite haunt of mystics, writers, philosophers and poets over the millennia. Located at a height of 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) above sea level, Dunagiri is famous within Kumaon for its temple of Shakti – known here as Dunagiri Devi. Dunagiri’s distinctiveness and special place in the modern World lies not merely in its fascinating history and captivating beauty, it is rather the serene and spiritual atmosphere of this place that strikes the mind and brings peace to the soul.
Dunagiri also has a distinctive importance in cultural history of India. Ancient history and folk-lore related to Dunagiri tells us it has been regularly visited by Rishi-Munis of India who established their ashrams here in the midst of nature[1]. Ashram of Garg Muni was at Dunagiri after whom river Gagas is said to have been named. Sukhdev Muni’s ashram (son of sage Ved Vyasa) was also here, at a place now known as “Sukh Devi”. In the epic Ramayan, during Treta Yuga (prior to 3100 BC), when Lakshman was hit by the arrow of Ravana, Hanuman saved his life by bringing divine herbs (Sanjeevani booti or Sanjeevani herb) from this mountain which was then known as Drongiri or Dronagiri. During their period of anonymous travel, the Pandavas of Mahabharata took shelter at Dunagiri. Pandukholi is said to be the place near Dunagiri where they stayed for a period of time. Pandav’s Guru Dronacharya also did tapasya (devout austerity) at Dunagiri. Dunagiri is mentioned in Manas khand of Skanda Purana. Dunagiri Devi is described as Mahamaya Harpriya (Manaskhand, 36.17-18).
In Creation, one can wonder if the element of Shakti is primary or that of Shiva? Is it right to emphasize Prakriti or should it be Purusha? Is it to be known as feminine or masculine? Questions of such nature are answered in Shwetashwet upanishad in the context of Dunagiri’s twin peak-heads. In fact, this Upanishad is believed to have been inspired/composed at Dunagiri itself. The fourth chapter of Shwetashwet upanishad, pondering on divinity, takes inspiration from Dunagiri’s twin natural peaks (one can see the twin rock pieces inside Dunagiri temple as well). Hence Manaskhand of Skandpuran bestows Dunagiri with the title of Brahm-parvat (Divine Mountain). Among all the Shakti temples of Kumaon, Dunagiri is counted amid the most ancient ‘Sidh Shaktipeeth’, as an primary ‘ugra’ (intense) ‘peeths’ - called ‘Ugra Peeth’. This shaktipeeth in its essence has been influenced over time by Shaiva, Vaishnav and Shakt practices.
References
- ^ Dunagiri Nature Retreat http://www.dunagiri.com/history.html
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