Lakhamandal – an escape story of Pandavas

Lakhamandhal is situated in Jaunsar in Dehradun district.Lakhamandal village is situated 125km from Dehradun via Herbertpur and 111km from via Masoorie.
Lakhamandal is attraction for archeological as well as religious purpose. In the time of Mahabharata when Pandavas was in exile period of 12 year, It is belived that Shakti had given Pandavas space to live here and also leave the prints of her foot on a rock. But Duryodhan conspired to burn the Pandavas alive so he made a palace of Lakhsa (Lac) which is burnt easily. But Pandavas escaped with the help of Lord Krishna and Goddess Shakti through the tunnel. That is why this place is known as Lakhamandal (altered name of Lakhshamandal).

 

 

There are various sign of Pandavads, which proof that they lived here. The locals of Lakhamandal village pretend them the descendant of pandavas. So the tradition of Polygamy and Polyandry is still there. The Dance Pandava Nritya is main dance which is played during the festivals, it shows the epic of Mahabharata. Local of this place believe in Atithi Devo Bhavo(Guest is God).

 

There is a Lord Shiva – Shakti temple and shiny black stone Shivligam in which one can see full Image while offering water on it. Another Mythological story behind this temple is that Lord Shiva used grant life to people after death for some time to apologize for sins and make worship.But one day a lady requested Lord Shiva to give life to  her child for sometime. When Lord Shiva grant life to child the lady hide his child in his lap and Lord Shiva could not get back the life the child. So lord Shiva stopped this practice after that.  It is also known as the holy place of Shiva.

 

This Place is also famous for archeological purpose. This spot is rich with Ancient temples, sculptures and inscriptions. There are around 150 stone engraved figures which are discovered, some dating from as early as fourth to fifth century A.D. Some historian  believes that Lakhamanadal had been renowned center of the sculpture creation in fifth century AD. This place is under Archeological department of government to conserve our ancient history.