Hundreds witness historic Dev Milan of Raja Ghepan and Mata Hidimba in Manali

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Manali, July 28

Hundreds of devotees assembled at Dhungri village in Manali to witness the historic reunion of Lahaul Valley’s presiding deity, Raja Ghepan with Mata Hidimba after a gap of nine years.

The traditional Dev Milan was conducted with elaborate religious rituals and customs, drawing large crowds, who became emotional while witnessing the symbolic meeting of the divine brother and sister. The entire area resonated with the sounds of traditional drums, ransinghas and other folk instruments as the ceremonial chariots of the deities came together.

Raja Ghepan is currently on his traditional Malana pilgrimage and reached Dhungri after travelling through Kulang. Upon his arrival, representatives of Mata Hidimba, local villagers and devotees accorded the deity a grand welcome.

The special Dev Milan was also attended by Mata Hidimba of Lahaul and the Eighteen Nag Deities, making the occasion a significant religious and cultural event.

Earlier, a unique blend of faith and tradition was witnessed in Kulang village. Raja Ghepan’s procession travelled from Kulang to Manali, where devotees welcomed the deity at several locations along the route. Before entering Manali, the procession visited the historic village of Goshal and reached the premises of Bhandal Mata. Goshal is regarded as the maternal home of Lahaul’s 18 Nag Deities.

Devotees in Manali sought blessings from the deities and participated in the traditional religious rituals.

Speaking on the occasion, Anuj, priest of  Mata Hidimba Jahlma, said, “a special Dev Milan of Raja Ghepan, Mata Hidimba and the 18 Nag Deities was held at the Mata Hidimba Temple complex in Dhungri on Monday which attracted a large number of devotees,”.

He also informed that the presiding deity of Lahaul Valley, Raja Ghepan, undertakes the pilgrimage after every nine years to meet his elder brother, Devta Jamlu, in the historic village of Malana. Speaking to The North News, Anuj said, “The difficult journey from Sissu village in Lahaul to Malana is completed in seven days. During the pilgrimage, devotees have to cross the 12,010-foot-high Chandrakhani Pass on foot. Raja Ghepan’s historic meeting with Devta Jamlu takes place in Malana,”.