Manikaran - a holly place in the side of Parvati valley.

2008-05-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

In the morning reaching MANALI bus stand, boarded in service bus for MANIKARAN. It is 84 km far from the town MANALI. By turning KULLU-MANALI road at BHUNTER and crossing a bridge over river PARVATI, moved toward MANIKARAN. BHUNTER is the air-field in KULLU valley. From this air-field more fruits (Apples etc ) are flies than passengers to the nearby airports. The local service bus took too much stoppages in the different places for passengers. No different than other hilly place but slight rude hilly scenery is seen in this valley. River PARVATI was always accompanied flowing along my left side. Sometimes PARVATI vanished in deep slope of hill and again suddenly reappeared. Many SIKH pilgrimage were returning by reserved bus, truck and cars from MANIKARAN.

Manikaran is a famous pilgrimage site of the Hindus and Sikhs that is located in the district of Kullu. The ancient name of MANIKARAN was KALANTA PEETH. World’s hottest spring is found here. A Hindu mythological story of SHIVA – PARVATI made the place popular. Afterward, Sikh preacher GURU NANAK discovered the place newly and since than a Gurudwara was constructed by the side of the KUND and river PARVATI.

Then our bus was running descending at the level of river PARVATI, the bank was full of slightly thick dense forest. Running at the same level of river in the hilly region is really enjoyable journey. After a while, road was ascending again reaching a rocky place where workers were cutting rocks to widen the road.. The place was like a tunnel and in some places rocks were hanging over heads.

Reaching MANIKARAN River PARVATI found very furious, gradually her gargling voice changed and flowing steeply with continuous roaring. River PARVATI was in our left side and to reach KUND we had to walk on a beautiful bridge over the furious stream.

Temple, Gurudwara, Hotels etc all are located in this side of the bank. From the bus stop the scenery of the river keeping all Gurudwara, Temple, Hotels etc in background looks so worthy seldom to express here. Specially two link bridge to Gurudwara over river PARVATI is a beauty scenery.

In Manikaran Gurudwara Sahib is situated on this side of Parvati Valley. There are some world famous hot springs at Manikaran. The water of these hot springs is famous for healing or remedy of diseases. The water is so hot that one can boil rice in it. Manikaran, a place of pilgrimage for Hindus and Sikhs. In Guru Nanak Ji Gurudwara have some beautiful enchanting sights to enjoy. One can enjoy a dip in the hot waters springs. There are three baths, one is under the Groupware and other two are situated in the guesthouses.

After crossing the bridge, moved through a lane towards KUND and Gurudwara. Ram Temple is seen just in right side. Going further found hot water KUND with bathing facility.I took hot water washing my mouth and head and again walked towards main KUND and Gurudwara. A little ahead found SHIVA temple in left side, which is surrounded by enchanting landscape. The temple was constructed just adjacent river PARVATI and clouds of smoke from the HOT KUND were floating in air around the temple. Bare footed visitors took their place on a wooden platform, as nearby floor was very hot. Some saints were taking rest and some were sitting in religious devotional feelings under a shed in front of the temple.

I also took a little rest sitting along with the saints. I took some photographs here. Adjacent the temple hot water KUND is connoted to nearby bathing ghat in two artificially made tanks , one for gents and other for ladies. In the side of Gurudwara several bathing places are constructed under a roof. Moving alone in the surroundings I felt hungry in the noon. All shops and restaurants were closed then. In Gurudwara visitors can have free food. I lastly, when visited Ram temple found a LANGER in the temple campus where I was served rice , dal & sabji . I took these with great satisfaction. The prasad was very delicious , with immense pleasure I deposited some money in DANPATRA.

To return back to my guest house I came to the Bus stand which is on the other side of the bank and started for MANALI. In this summer month of July I felt very warmth under the bright sunshine up to my journey KULLU and it was then dark when I reached here. Finally it was 9.30 pm in the night when I came back to Guest House at MANALI.