Manikaran, the hot spring in Himachal Pradesh, India - by Himanshu

Manikaran,Himachal Pradesh, India

      Manikaran is famous mainly for its hot springs, Gurdwara and the temples. It is located in the Parvati Valley between the rivers Beas and Parvati, northeast of Bhuntar in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, India, 45 kms away from Kullu. Devotees believe the sulphur hot spring as a miracle of God and people call  it astonishment of science. This hot water is believed to cure skin deseases  or even ease the swelling caused by gout. Many visitors specially the Hindus and sikhs, visit here for offering prayer at Gurdwara  Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji and the famous Ram Temple and Shiva temple among others.

Rice is boiled in hot water from the hot spring

ONE CAN SEE OVER HERE

One can see here an amusing experience of cooking rice or dal in the boiling hot waters. The local residents also use this hot water through pipes at their places without the cost of heating the water or using any fuel for that. Here in the market one can get religious idols, offerings, etc. and of course a wide range of medicinal plants in the nearby mountains.Here due to the climate, local vegetables and pulses like rajmah and urad are of rare quality and taste different from those available in other regions.

Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati

THE MYTHOLOGICAL STORY BEHIND ITS EVOLUTION

Once Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati were roaming in the space and enchanted by a beautiful green place which was surrounded by the mountains, decided to spend some time there. The span of that time was believed to be 11 hundred years according to human calculation. During their stay here, Mata Parvati lost her Mani( the most precious jewellery/gem stone) in the waters of a stream. Upset over the loss, she asked Lord Shiva to retrieve it. Lord Shiva commanded his attendants to find out the mani for  Mata Parvati, however, when they failed, he was extremely angry. He opened his third eye, a tremendously inauspicious event which led to disturbances in the universe. An appeal was made before the serpent God, Sheshnag, to pacify Lord Shiva. Sheshnag hissed thereby giving rise to a flow of boiling water. The water spread over the entire area resulting in the emergence of precious stones of the type Goddess Parvati had lost. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were happy at the outcome. The name Manikaran is derived from this legend. The water is still hot and is considered extremely auspicious.

Writer Himanshu and  his wife

 WRITER'S VIEW

I have practically visited this place. You can get complete peace and satisfaction in this religious  and naturally gifted atmosphere if you believe. One can also have the funny experience of a new type of cooking in Manikaran. Moreover it is an amazing place to visit.