India Tourist Places > Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Places > Udhampur Tourist Places > Sudh-Mahadev and Mantalai Temple

This highly revered Shiva temple is located at a distance of 42 Kms from Patnitop and 112 Kms from Jammu ,Legend has it that after bathing at a spring called Gouri Kund, just short of Sudh Mahadev ,the Goddess Parvati would worship the Shivling here that is believed to be at least 3000 years old .The temple also houses a black marble statue of local Shiva and Parvati .A trishul of Lord Shiva is also preserved here.Pilgrims in large number visit the shrine on the full moon night Of Sawan to participate in the festival to worship Lord Shiva. The mystical underground stream,Devak believed to be as sacred as the Ganges originates at Sudh Mahadev and disappears among the rocks some distance downstream .Also of interest are wooden sculptures ,crafted locally, Accommodation is available in Tourist Saraj managed by J&K Tourism Development Corporation and Dharamshala managed by the Dharamarth Trust.

A few kilometers further ahead of Sudh Mahadev is Mantalai(1450 meters) surrounded by lush deodar forests. As per legend ,it is the place where lord Shiva got married to goddess Parvati Besides the Shiv temple here one can also visit the complex created by Swami Dhirendra Brhamchari which includes a tree shaped house an air strip a hostel and a number of other unfinished project. An excursion through the woods to Naina Devi 5 Kms from Mantalai provides excellent views of the mountain landscape all round.