Manikaran hot water springs are located in the Parvati Valley near Kullu-Manali between the rivers Beas and Parvati in Kullu District of HP. It is at an altitude of 1,737m. Its distance from Kullu is about 45 km.
MANIKARAN HOT WATER SPRINGS
This place is famous For Hot Springs. It is also famous as Hindu & Sikh Pilgrimage. This small town draws tourists visiting Kullu & Manali to its hot springs and pilgrim centres. Tourists and pilgrims have bath in hot spring. The area is also known for its beautiful landscape.
Historic Stories and Beliefs
According to Hindu belief Manu recreated human life in Manikaran after the flood. There are many temples and a gurudwara. The main temples are of Hindu deities Rama, Krishna, and Vishnu.
According to the Sikhs, once Guru Nanak came to this place with his disciple Bhai Mardana. They were hungry and they had no food. Nanak sent him to get some food for the langar. People donated flour. But there was no fire to cook the food. Mardana lift a stone and a hot spring appeared.
On Nanaks direction Mardana put the rolled chappatis in the spring & chappatis sank. Nanak told him to pray to God saying – if his sank chappatis float back then he would donate one chappati in His name. All the chappatis started floating properly baked. Nanak ji said that anyone, who contributes in the name of God, his sink items float back.
It is also said that, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, once stayed in this place. During their stay here, Goddess Parvati lost her mani in the waters of a stream. She asked Shiva to get back it. Lord Shiva told his helpers to find out the mani for Parvati, but they failed.
He got very angry, which led to disturbances in the universe. A request was made before the serpent god, Sheshnag, to calm down Lord Shiva. Sheshnag hiss which led to flow of boiling water. The hot water spread all around resulting in the appearance of stones of the type Goddess Parvati had lost.
Astounding Divinity with Curative Powers
There are a number of temples in the Mani Karan. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Ramchandra Temple. It was built by Raja Jagat Singh in the 17th century. There is one more temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. An earthquake in 1905 caused damage to the temple. Devtas of Kullu valley visit regularly to this place because of its significance.
The water is very hot, even rice can be cooked in it. People enjoy a dip in the hot waters from the springs. It is also famous for trout fishing.
The water of the spring also has curative powers. The curative properties of the springs are well known all over the country. People from distant places come here and for the cure of their ailments. Rheumatism and muscular pains are said to cure very fast by taking bath in this water.
Manikaran is one among most visited places in Himachal for those who want to experience divine places. Visiters can always enjoy such pilgrimages with himachaltaxi.com. The main way to reach Manikaran is from Shimla or Chandigarh. Contact Himachal Taxi for a quote to hire a taxi / cab to visit Manali and Manikaran.
