Wednesday, 1 February 2017

Mangi-Tungi – Spiritual & Adventurous Trekking Day Out

Mangi-Tungi  is simply amazing, adventurous and very sacred place which worth the long drive from Mumbai, Nashik or Pune. This place is must visit place if you are interested in trekking, adventure and old sculptures which is having historical and religious importance too.

Mangi-Tungi  are  two  twin-cliff of a single mountain these are named after two sisters Mangi and  Tungi. Located near Tahrabad(35 kms off Satna) , near about 71 km from Dhule or Manmad by train, and 125 km from Nashik a well known city and district place in Maharashtra,India. The beautiful, pastoral setting and fresh breezes were a welcome change from the cities.

This place is one of the most important Jain and Hindu Shrine. Rarely seen two sections of Hindu with different faiths converge together for a religious purpose. This place serves as a majestic & picturesque bridge between the two diverse religious cultures & reminds about their same roots. In the religious esteem of the Jains all over the world, Mangi-Tungi is placed next only to Sammed Shikharji which is in Madhuban, India. Thousands of Pilgrims all over the world come to Mangi Tungi every year.

The World’s tallest idol of 108 feet of Lord Rishabhdev, the first Teerthankar of Jains, carved out of a single big Rock at the Mangi - Tungi Pinnacle Peak. The idol is carved in single rock at 2500 ft. by Nahata and Sons, a sculptor family from Jaipur, along with 300 sculptor has carve the idol of the Lord Rishabhdev. It's name is now appeared in "Guinness Book of World Records" as the world's tallest Jain statue. The idol was consecrated in month of February 2016 with a grand ceremony “Maha - Mastakabhishek” where rituals were performed for several days.

Archaeological and Historical Value – 
Mangi –Tungi is must visit place if you are interested in old sculpture. There are well carved steps to reach to both paves on the peaks. View from these peaks was simply mesmerizing. These peaks has Hundreds of ancient caves of religious values with idols of deities & sages are carved on the mountain rock.
The place is veritable treasure trove of ancient art. The ancient artistic Jain idols of Tirthankars and Saints with various inscriptions found on them of era v.s. 651. Exquisitely carved images of gods and goddess in dancing postures are found in caves. Inscriptions found on rocks  are mostly in Sanskrit and Magadhi language. Most of the Sanskrit inscription found on the rocks of the Shantinath and Adinath caves are not clear as they are from vs. 1400.
Religious Value –
Mangi-Tungi is unique and  famous holy spot for Jains and Hindu Piligrims. Mangi- Tungi also known as  Siddha-Kshetra, a gateway to the state of ultimate enlightment. The Historical and Mythological tales assure that More then 90 corer Jain and Hindu saints including Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Sri Balramji ,Sri Hanumanji, Sri Sugriva, Nal, Neel, Mahaneel, Gava, Gavaksha and so  many others those who are religiously inclined and who are seeking the path of enlightment attained Sarvarth Siddhi means salvation full & final freedom from world and went to Siddha Shila or Moksha, from where no one returns to the world and enjoys the internal spiritual bliss for infinite time.


Trekking Value –
Mangi-Tungi certainly is a paradise for hikers & heritage lovers as the mountain is not only surrounded by many historical spots & old forts & ponds but also gifted by picturesque nature.
Mangi – Tungi are two hills belongs to Sahayadri /Selbari Hill Ranges of Western Ghats in Maharashtra. These hills are highest in Nashik district almost situated 4,343 ft above sea level.  Mangi Hill’s height  of 1,326 meters and Tungi Hill’s height  of 1,323 meters. Around 4,500 steps leads top to bottom of the peak. Both hills are connected by a narrow ridge and the most interesting facet of hills is their peculiar shapes. Conical peaks of hills have completely bare and perpendicular surfaces.
The route to the Mangi - Tungi peaks originates right from the Bhilwadi base village. A 30 -35 min walk will lead you to the base of the mountain. From there its steep climb of around 4000 zigzag steps to the archway which is common point between the two peaks almost 1 hr walk. From this common point, the route to the left leads to Mangi hill and the one to the right to Tungi hill. For Mangi it is 25 min of climb and for Tungi it is 15 min of walk towards right (this is 20 ft wide path with deep valley on both sides) then a climb of 15 minutes. This climb again is very steep. At the top there is Pradakshina marg on the periphery of the Tungi Pinnacle. So one can go round the pinnacle.
Mangi Giri(Hill) -
 Mangi (Left Giri) is not very high. Seven old temples and many images of ‘Charanas’ Feet symbols of saints are located along the base of the pinnacle and 365 carvings of Tirthankar Mahavir, Adinath, Shantinath, Ratnatrya Parshvanath, Lord Hanuman, Bali, Sugreeva, Seeta, etc.
Tungi Giri(Hill) -
Tungi (Right Giri) is taller than Mangi Giri. There are five temples and four caves named on tirthankar Chandraprabhu, Ramchandra, Shuddha and Buddha Munies. Colossus of Bhagwan Munisuvrat Nath in Padmasana posture.  Beautiful stone carving of Lord Indra and Yakhas – Yakshanis, attendants of the tirthankaras. A pond name Krishna Kund is situated close to Tungi Giri .
Accomodation available at Jain Dharmashala Ashram at the Bhilwad base village offers excellent jain food at very reasonable price. Best Time to Visit  is monsoon and during grand fair is held annually in Kartik i.e. September-October.

Mangi - Tungi in 4-5 hours and return back to base. Overall it said that it is almost equivalent to a near 20 Km walk. It is an Amazing place with religious and historical value also full of Adventure.

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