Parvati Valley : Manikaran

Tripoto
15th Mar 2017
Photo of Parvati Valley : Manikaran by Ananya Mohapatra
Day 1

Walking down the streets of Manikaran

Photo of Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, India by Ananya Mohapatra

Manikaran, this small town was our introduction to Parvati Valley. It's perched right on the banks of the beautiful Parvati River. People call it the holy hot spring town. The Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara here is said to have reverence with Guru Gobind Singh and is mentioned in the 'Twelfth Guru Khalsa

Photo of Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, India by Ananya Mohapatra
Photo of Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, India by Ananya Mohapatra

A busy little pilgrim town with small clustered houses scattered all over and little shops adorned on each side of the narrow lanes.

Photo of Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, India by Ananya Mohapatra
Photo of Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, India by Ananya Mohapatra

During the 80s, it used to be the Hippie Den. A title which was later taken over by Kasol, Chalal and other nearby places.

Photo of Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, India by Ananya Mohapatra
Photo of Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, India by Ananya Mohapatra

There are also quite a few Hindu temples like the tilted Shiva Temple, Shri Rama Temple, Kulant Pith etc, all of which date back to the 17th century.

Photo of Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, India by Ananya Mohapatra
Photo of Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, India by Ananya Mohapatra

The hot springs around the Gurudwara have curative properties. People not only take bathe in them, they also cook food by wrapping up the food in a piece of cloth, tying it up with a string and dipping it in the water. Much like a tea bag.

Photo of Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, India by Ananya Mohapatra
Photo of Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, India by Ananya Mohapatra
Photo of Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, India by Ananya Mohapatra

The Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara here is said to have reverence with Guru Gobind Singh and is mentioned in the 'Twelfth Guru Khalsa' by Giani Gian Singh. The hot springs around the Gurudwara have curative properties.

Photo of Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, India by Ananya Mohapatra

For me, the beautiful company that I had, the serenity of this quaint little town, eating at the langar, strolling down the market lanes, the enchanting temples, taking in and gawking at the smoke coming out of the springs like some mystical element released from earth,

Photo of Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, India by Ananya Mohapatra

every bit of it made the trip worthwhile and unforgettable. The wanderess in me was quite charmed. Anyway, when in the valley make sure to visit this sacred town. A day's trip from Kasol is enough to enjoy this place.

Photo of Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, India by Ananya Mohapatra