Secret of Manikaran

Manikaran, situated between the Vyas and Parvati rivers in the Parvati Valley, northwest of Bhuntar in Kullu district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, is a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Sikhs. It is situated at an altitude of 1750 meters above sea level and its distance from Kullu is about 45 km. Bhuntar also has an airport for small aircraft.

Bhuntar-Manikaran road is single route, but is green and very beautiful. There are Tibetan settlements along the Cyril route. There is also a village named Shot on this route, where many times in the past there had been a cloud burst and the water had turned the village into a drain.

Manikaran is also famous for its hot water springs. Lakhs of nature loving tourists from India and abroad come here again and again, especially those tourists who are suffering from diseases like skin disease or arthritis and get health happiness by coming here. It is believed that bathing in the hot sulfur water available here for a few days can cure these diseases. The boiling water springs are the most astonishing and distinctive attraction of Manikaran. Every year many youth enjoy the exciting experience of traveling to Manikarna on scooters and motorcycles.

hot water glasses in manikarn

Manikaran, situated at an altitude of six thousand feet above sea level, literally means earring. Here, river Parvati flows adjacent to the huge buildings of temples and gurudwaras, whose speed is thrilling. The water of the river is as cold as ice. On the right side of the river, boiling sources of hot water are seen entangled with the river. This cold-boiling natural balance has puzzled scientists for a long time. Scientists say that there is radium in the water here.

There is a lot of snow in Manikaran, but even during the cold season, one can take a comfortable bath in hot water in the huge bathhouse built inside the Gurudwara complex, for as long as you want, but remember, bathing for a long time can also cause dizziness. There are separate arrangements for men and women. Interestingly, hot water is supplied even to the narrow market of Manikaran, for which pipes have also been specially laid.This hot water is available in many restaurants and hotels. The market is dominated by Tibetan businessmen, who provide goods related to Tibetan art and culture and foreign goods. Along with foreign snacks and food also.

In these hot glasses, tea is made in big round pots for the langar of the Gurudwara, pulses and rice are cooked. Rice is sold to tourists in white cloth bags tied with a thread. Especially the newlyweds can be seen sitting together holding a thread and boiling rice, they feel that this is the first open kitchen of their life and it is really exciting too. The water here boils so much that one cannot keep one’s feet on the ground.

The temperature of the hot sulfur water here remains the same at 94 degrees Celsius in every season. It is said that if tea is made from this water then it becomes twice as sweet as regular water tea by adding half the sugar. There is enough space to stay in the huge fort-like building of the Gurudwara. There are also small and big hotels and many private guest houses. Kasol, three kilometers east, is also a great option for accommodation.

Main Gurudwara of Manikaran

There are many temples and a Gurudwara in Manikaran. This place holds a special place among the religious places of Sikhs. Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib was built to commemorate the visit of Guru Nanakdev here. It is mentioned in Tawarikh Guru Khalsa written by Janam Sakhi and Giani Gyan Singh that Guru Nanak had traveled here with Bhai Mardana and Panch Pyaras. That is why a large number of people from Punjab come here. Langar is served here both times throughout the year.

There are temples of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva here. In Hindu beliefs, this place got its name due to the loss of Parvati’s earring (mani) during her visit with Shiva in this valley. There is also a belief that Manu had created man here after the destruction of Mahapralaya.There is Raghunath temple here. It is said that the king of Kullu had brought the idol of Lord Ram from Ayodhya and installed it here. There is also an old temple of Lord Shiva here. The specialty of this place can be estimated from the fact that most of the deities of Kullu Valley keep coming here with their rides from time to time.

Manikaran is also the base point for many other attractive tourist places. Brahma Ganga is half a kilometer away from here where Parvati river and Brahma Ganga meet. To stay here for a while is to meet nature to your heart’s content. One and a half km away is Narayanpuri, 5 km away is Raksat, where Roop Ganga flows. Here form means silver. Pulga, a beautiful place located 16 kilometers away on the left side of Parvati Padi and after a tough climb of 1600 meters, makes for a wonderful addition to life’s experiences.Similarly, Rudranath, 22 km away, is situated at an altitude of about 8000 feet and is considered a holy place. The open flowing water here gives a new experience to every tourist.

Kheerganga, located at an altitude of more than ten thousand feet, about 25 km from Manikaran, is also known for hot water springs. The water here also has medicinal elements. One site Pandav bridge is 45 km away.Adventure lovers coming to Manikaran in summer reach Mantalai, about 115 km away. It takes three-four days to reach Manatalai from Manikaran. Due to the deserted route, it is absolutely necessary to carry food items, medicines etc. with you. It is very important to have the right person with you who has complete knowledge of the route on this difficult path. The road to Malana, a wonderful village which is rare from the world and has its own unique culture and democratic governance system, also passes through a place called Jari, about 15 km behind Manikaran.There is about 15 kilometer walking route to Malana via Naggar. Thus, this entire Parvati valley is like a heaven for mountaineering lovers.

Many tourists miss Kasol, which is three km before Manikaran. Here, on the banks of river Parvati, nestled among the trees, the white sand spread in the open, which separates the water from the green grass, makes the scenery here special. There are also Himachal Tourism huts for staying here.

During the Ghumkadi of Manikaran, the views of the attractive mountain ranges created by the combination of different colored soils along with attractive trees and plants settle in the mind. There are many more unique colors in nature. Somewhere beautiful stones, transparent crystals which look like topaz are found.At some places, the rocks take a different shape, such as the Eagle’s Nose situated in the middle of the road, which from a distance looks exactly like an eagle’s head. Nature loving tourists find beautiful driftwoods or wild flowers and leaves, which become memorable parts of their guest rooms and remain permanent evidence of exciting memories of Manikaran.

The geography of this area changed a lot after the devastating earthquake of 1905.

Pathankot (285 km) and Chandigarh (258 km) are the nearest rail stations. There is also a daily flight from Delhi to Bhuntar.

Manikaran can be visited in any season. But snow can fall here in January. Then the cold is severe. From March onwards the weather starts becoming slightly favourable. Travel to this area can be dangerous in the rain. Be sure to get information about the weather before going.

Do not take the risk of bathing in Parvati river. Not only is the water of this river very cold, but the velocity is so high that even the most skilled swimmers are unable to maintain their balance. Many people have become victims of accidents because even a moment’s carelessness can thwart any rescue effort.