Bhagsunag: The Holy Village

Bhagsunag Temple

The village got its name from the ancient temple known as Bhagsunag Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Bhagsunag is just 2 kilometers from McLeod Ganj in Upper Dharamshala of Himachal Pradesh.

Bhagsunag village is a Gaddi tribal village whose traditional livelihood was herding and farming. The village has become one of the main tourist centre in the area during the last few years, and many of the local people are now engaged in tourism. The village has a large number of restaurants and guesthouses.

Painting on the wall in Bhagsunag Village......

Cafe in Bhagsunag Village

Cafe in Bhagsunag Village

The Bhagsunag Temple revolves around a mythical legend according to which Bhagsu was a king, or a local chief, and his region was plagued by drought. He set out, promising his subjects that he would bring water. His search brought him to these mountains, more specifically, to a lake – the Nag Dal - which belonged to the Nag Devata (Snake God). Bhagsu himself had magical powers. He managed to transfer the water from the lake into a kamandalu (water receptacle), and started on his way back home. The Nag Devata returned home that night to find his lake empty. Needless to say, he was irate, and he set out to find the one responsible. He caught up with Bhagsu here, and there was a terrible fight. Bhagsu was lethally injured, and the kamandalu fell, releasing the water, which flowed down the mountain. Realizing that his end was near, he surrendered to the Nag Devata, asking only that the water be allowed to flow on, so that his people would be relieved from the drought, and that his name be associated forever with this place. The Nag Devata relented, and henceforth, the water flowed free, and this place came to be known as a combination of both their names – Bhagsu Nag.

Govt. School at Bhagsunag Village

According to another legend, the shrine was patronage of a specific Gorkha community called Bhagsuwala (named after God Bhagsuwala). It is said that it was these rulers who built two pools here that the shrine is famous for. The tiger-headed spouts are believed to have healing properties. There is also swimming pool in the temple campus.

view of Bhagsunag Temple campus...

 The unique Pancha Mukha Linga – five faced linga. Normally, lingams don’t have faces, but this do, and each face depicts one aspect of Shiva as well as the five elements he represents. The top face is called Ishana, or Sadashiva, representing the sky; the east face is Sadyojata or Mahadeva, representing earth; the west face is Tatpurusha or Nandi, representing Vayu, the wind; the north face is Vamadeva or Umavaktra, representing water, and the south face is Aghora or Bhairava, representing fire.

Pancha Mukha Linga at Bhagsunag Temple

The First Gorkha Rifles was raised on 24 April 1815 at Subathu (District- Solan, Himachal Pradesh) after the battle of Malaun fort. The Regiment was allotted Dharamshala as permanent regimental home forever by the Government on 29 June 1864. After the first battalion reached Dharamshala on 21 March 1861. 'Kul Devta' (Clan God) of the regiment was established at Bhagsunag Temple and since 1861 yearly puja (worship) is being performed. Second battalion was also raised here on 13 June 1917 but was disbanded on 31 March 1921. The Temple  and its surrounding area was renovated and dharamshala (inn) opposite Bhagsu Nag Temple was constructed by first battalion of the First Gorkha Rifles in 1939.

Bhagsunag market...

From Bhagsunag temple  there is a trek for Bhagsunag waterfall.

See also: Bhagsunag waterfall | Lete Wali Mata Temple | Triund Campsite | trek to Triund Campsite from Bhagsunag |

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