Damodar Kunda, Nepal

Damodar Kunda is the source of Narayani River and the shaligrama shilas. It is situated in Nepal, near the Nepal-China border. It is a very revered tirtha for the worshipers of the shaligrama murti.

The Skanda Purana mentions that in this kali-yuga, by visiting a holy place and by chanting the holy name, one can achieve liberation from the pangs of this material world. A holy pilgrimage makes the living entity closer to Lord Narayana. One such tirtha is Damodar Kunda.

The origin of Damodar Kunda

When the Supreme Lord Krishna descended onto this planet Earth, He played innumerable pastimes which were the source of bliss for His devotees. One such pastime is damodara-lila. Once, on the day of Dipawali, mother Yashoda was churning the butter. Baby Krishna approached her and insisted that she breastfeed Him.

While mother Yashoda was feeding Krishna, the milk kept over the burning stove began to overflow. To prevent it from spilling, mother Yashoda put baby Krishna down and rushed to the kitchen. In the meantime, Krishna became angry and broke the butter pot she was churning. Krishna ate that butter and began to feed the monkeys too.

When mother Yashoda returned, she saw the broken pot and Krishna was missing from the scene. She realized that it was His mischief and began to look for Krishna. She caught hold of Krishna and wanted to punish Him for the mischief of breaking the butter pot. When she wanted to tie Him to the wooden mortar, the rope was short by two fingers. No matter how much rope she added, it was always short of two fingers. When she became tired from searching for the ropes, Lord Krishna agreed to be bound by Her love.

After binding Krishna, when she became busy in the household activities, Krishna wanted to do more mischief. He began to drag the wooden mortar to which He was tied and got it entangled between the two tall yamalurjana trees standing in the courtyard. Due to the force of Krishna, the two trees fell making a thundering sound. Two divine personalities emerged out of the tree. They were Nalakuvera and Manigriva, the sons of Kuvera.

Previously, these two sons of Kuvera were sporting naked with the women within the crystal-clear waters of the Ganda Madana Parvata. At the same time, they were intoxicated. Just then, Narada Muni passed by, and the two brothers did not notice him. But the girls with them noticed Narada Muni and covered their body parts.

Narada Muni was not pleased with such a behavior of Nalakuvera and Manigriva. This was not expected from the sons of a reputed and responsible devata. To uplift them from such condition of life, Narada Muni cursed both the brothers to become trees. Hearing the curse, the boys came to their senses and begged pardon from Narada Muni, who amended the curse to show mercy on them. He limited their curse until they see Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face. He also assured them that they will be born within the courtyard of Nanda Maharaja in Gokula. Since they these devatas were waiting for Lord Krishna to deliver them from the curse of Narada Muni.

When Nalakuvera and Manigriva saw Lord Krishna, they offered prayers to Him and asked Him if there was any way for them to be liberated from the pangs of this material world. They were purified and liberated the moment they saw Lord Krishna. They further wanted a way to purify themselves or perform any auspicious activity. Lord Krishna then suggested them to go to the Shaligrama Parvata which lay within the Himalayas.

Near Shaligrama Parvata is a holy tirtha which belonged to Him. By taking a bath there, they would purify themselves and regain transcendental bodies. Because this tirtha was revealed by Lord Damodara to the sons of Kuvera, it came to be known as Damodar Kunda.

Some devotees also believe that when asked by Nalakuvera and Manigriva, Lord Krishna threw the rope by which He was tied. That rope came and fell in Damodar Kunda and hence the name.

Damodar Kunda – more details

Damodar Kunda consists of four more tirthas – Chakra Tirtha, Gajendra Moksha Sarovara, Deva and Vishnu Kunda. The shape of Damodar Kunda is like a conch shell. Within it one can perceive the shape of chakra. This is the residence of black complexioned Vajra Keeta worms. When Lord Narayana chose to become shaligrama shila, He asked Vishwakarma to take the form Vajra Keeta worm.

The Vajra Keeta worms sustain only on Gold and Tulasi leaves. The Shaligrama Shilas have gold inside them. The Vajra Keeta worms try to enter the shila to eat gold and while doing so they carve out certain features which are specific to certain forms of Lord Narayana. After doing so, the Vajra Keeta worm dies.

Devotees believe that after one goes to Damodar Kunda, one must put a Tulasi leaf within the water of the Kunda. On whichever shila that Tulasi leaf falls, that Shaligrama Shila must be worshiped by the devotee. When you visit, take Tulasi leaves along with you.

The glories of Damodar Kunda

One who wishes to be free from the dama (rope) of repeated cycle of births and deaths must take bath in the Damodar Kunda. The result acquired by performing any paaka-yajna and havir-yajna, can easily be obtained by taking just one holy dip in the Damodar Kunda.

The Varaha Purana states:

daama samsarana proktam yena jantur nibadhyate / ladambhariratyartham yathaa saptir varatrayaa /
soyam vai sugamaapaayas taadrshasam vimuktaye / tena daamodaram tirtham trishu lokeshu vishrutam //

This material world is like a rope and hence called as daama. In this rope, the living entity, who has a stomach (udara) gets entangled. The easiest way to severe this entanglement is to take a bath in this tirtha. Hence it is famed as Damodara Kunda in the three worlds.

How to reach Damodar Kunda

The best way to reach Damodar Kunda is to travel with Tirtha Yatra who shall take care of all the arrangements while you sit and relax. Click to book Damodar Kunda Yatra

If you still want to take up the risk and adventure yourself, here is the way:

To reach Damodar Kunda, one must travel to Kathmandu. From Bharat, one can reach Kathmandu by roadways or airways. After reaching Kathamandu, one must travel to Pokhara and from there to Jomsom or Muktinath.

From Jomsom one can either reach Damodar Kunda by trekking or by helicopter. Helicopters can also be arranged from Pokhara. For trekking, you may contact a reputable tour organizer to arrange your trek. From Jomsom it takes at least 3 days to reach Damodar Kunda on foot. Few permissions are required to be arranged from the Government of Nepal before taking up the trek or a helicopter.

Damodar Kunda is situated in a high-altitude Himalayan region. The temperature can be freezing cold. You need to carry enough warm clothes to be safe. There is a shortage of oxygen sometimes in the Damodar Kunda area.

Best time to visit Damodar Kunda

Generally, there is no specific time to visit Damodar Kunda. The visit depends upon wind velocity, rain, hailstorm, and the snowfall. To be on the safer side, you may choose to travel with Tirtha Yatra on their group tours. The best time to visit Damodar Kunda can be September and October. April and July can also be good but with drizzles.

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