On my first visit to Badrinath about 40 years ago, I was told that  the last Indian village was 3km away from there.  I trekked to get a feel of this village. Manibhadrapuri is the last Indian village on the Indo-Tibet border in Uttarakhand in the Himalayas.   The villagers were shy, innocent, humble and extremely simple.

A few small houses aside, the village had a few caves.  One of them, Vyas Gufa and another closeby, Ganesh Gufa are known as the places where one of the two major epics of ancient India,  Mahabharata was written.  It came as a pleasant surprise to me that I was standing at the spot where Sage Vyasa supposedly narrated Mahabharata and Lord Ganesh wrote it down as it was narrated.

After that visit, whenever I went to Badrinath, I cherished visiting Manibhadrapuri village.

Ganesh Gufa, Mana Village, Near Badrinath

Vyas Gufa, Village Mana Near Badrinath

Plaque at Vyas Gufa, Village Mana

Such an important place is hardly publicized by the tourism department.  It is a pity that this place is not getting recognition it deserves.

If statues of politicians are erected to inspire, why can’t we glorify our ancient epics so that the people get inspired to lead a life these scriptures ultimate teach!

Written : Badri Baldawa

Edited  : Meeta Kabra