Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati

Tripoto
14th May 2016
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 1/29 by Nitish Arora
Charming Route
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 2/29 by Nitish Arora
Mid Point Kainthgali
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 3/29 by Nitish Arora
The highest Point
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 4/29 by Nitish Arora
scenic all the way
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 5/29 by Nitish Arora
captivating wilds
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 6/29 by Nitish Arora
a typical mountain hut
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 7/29 by Nitish Arora
The Bus
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 8/29 by Nitish Arora
Standing Tall
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 9/29 by Nitish Arora
The Diety
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 10/29 by Nitish Arora
Sankri Devta-The Diety
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 11/29 by Nitish Arora
The Pujari
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 12/29 by Nitish Arora
Sevadaar
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 13/29 by Nitish Arora
The history still not fully known
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 14/29 by Nitish Arora
Age Old Stone prayers
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 15/29 by Nitish Arora
Faith
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 16/29 by Nitish Arora
Treck
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 17/29 by Nitish Arora
Enchanting route
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 18/29 by Nitish Arora
Laid out treck
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 19/29 by Nitish Arora
Bridge
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 20/29 by Nitish Arora
Darbar...Diety of ganesh Ji
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 21/29 by Nitish Arora
narrow cave entrance
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 22/29 by Nitish Arora
The Cave
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 23/29 by Nitish Arora
Waterfall overlooking the cave
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 24/29 by Nitish Arora
Shiva-Parvati..8ft high Natural Pindies
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 25/29 by Nitish Arora
The waterfall
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 26/29 by Nitish Arora
The Maidan
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 27/29 by Nitish Arora
Giant wheel at the Mela site
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 28/29 by Nitish Arora
A Stall
Photo of Mongri_ A little known village hamlet, Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati 29/29 by Nitish Arora
Captivating view

In the ancient times the village Moungri was known as Sonara. The word Sonara means a land of hundred water springs. In Dogri language, water spring is called Naaras. According to the legend, it was an abode of Nag Devta (King of the snakes), and once hundreds of natural stone made water springs used to flow. Still at present number of such water springs found in the area.

According to another ancient legend, associated with the Kansar Shrine, a small stone shrine of Lord Shiva was discovered by an irate local villager. To remove the impediment in the process of cultivation, agriculture being the mainstay of the local population, the stone structure was uprooted and flung into the Kansar stream. But as soon as this was done calamity befell on the helpless villagers. Then the shrine was hurried retrieved from the rivulet bed and a temple was erected on a nearby hilltop by the rural folks. The temple still stands as a testimony to their labors Moungri Cave Shrines-village Moungri-Sonara-land of hundred water springs-abode of Nag Devta -Panchari Block of District Udhampur-Shiv Parvati Cave Shrine-nine and half feet high naturally formed rock Shiv Lingam-Joint Parvati Lingam -Damroo-Nandi- Shankhas- Amrit Kund -Kansar Shrine.

Moungri village is surrounded by high mountains, dense forests and small temples. The dense forests in the village have variety of trees like kail, fir, oak and pine, along with a 40 ft high waterfall. The village also has the Shiva Parvati Cave Shrine, Kansar Devta's Shrine, Sri Kalka Mata Shrine and trekking spots like the Trikuta Hills and Kandroo Hills.
We had heard a lot about this three days annual fair at Moungri, so this time we decided to go. One can hire a taxi or drive his own vehicle. we started from Jammu in J&k . Udhampur on the national Highway from Jammu to Kashmir is about 65 Kms . Just before the Udhampur Town a road on the left of the highway puts you on to the track of Moungari. The Distance is about 50 Kms. The road is a little dicey so you should have your vehicle in perfect condition. Buses are also available from Udhampur. there is a Youth Hostel at the site and a hut by Tourism department if one wants to stay. However during the Mela days it needs resrvation, otherwise local villagers gladly allow you to stay with them. The Mela is held at a huge Maidan , it ios believed that it is the dried Lake bed.
There is a 4 kms trek that take you to the natural 8ft High Shiva and Parvati , natural Pindies. The route is picturesque accompanied by a rivulet. At the start of the Treck is an Age Old temple having the Statue oF Sankri Devta. The place is yet untouched by the glorified tourism and hence is simple , pure and magical, the route is not at all congested and you would seldom find any vehicle on the way. This is a magical treck that all nature lovers should indeed take. Highly recommended by your Blogger. :)