Steam rises from the rocks beside the Parvati river at Manikaran. Pilgrims bathe in hot pools, cooks lower pots of rice into the ground, and the smell of hot minerals hangs over the lanes.
Few places in Himachal are as important to both Hindus and Sikhs. Four kilometres away, Kasol grew from a quiet village into one of India's best-known travellers' stops.
Two stories, one place
The Hindu story says the goddess Parvati lost an earring, a mani, in the water here while she and Shiva were in the valley. When the serpent god Shesha was asked to find it, his hiss sent hot water through the ground. The name Manikaran means jewel in the ear.
The Sikh story tells of Guru Nanak and his companion Bhai Mardana, who came here during their travels. Mardana was hungry and food had to be cooked, and the hot spring is said to have appeared when a stone was lifted. The story of the rotis that sank and then floated back after prayer is told in the gurudwara. These are traditional accounts, not documented history.
The hot springs
- Boiling water. The springs are very hot, and in places the water is close to boiling.
- Cooking in the ground. Pilgrims place rice and lentils in cloth in the pools, and the gurudwara kitchen uses the steam.
- Bathing. Many visitors bathe in the pools for comfort and belief, and some believe it helps with aches. Always test the temperature with care.
The temples and the gurudwara
- Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib. A large complex above the river, famous for its free community kitchen, the langar.
- A Rama temple. The Rama temple here is linked by tradition to the Kullu rulers.
- A Shiva temple. Locals speak of an old Shiva temple that suffered in the 1905 Kangra earthquake.
Dress modestly, cover your head in the gurudwara and remove shoes before entering any shrine.
And Kasol?
Kasol sits about 4 km away on the Parvati river among pines and apple orchards. It grew popular with backpackers from the 1990s, helped by cafes, riverside walks and routes to Tosh, Malana and Kheerganga. It is now busy, so many travellers pair Kasol with quieter days in the valley.
Plan your visit
- Getting there. Manikaran is a short ride from Kasol and roughly 35 km from Bhuntar, depending on the route.
- Time of day. Morning is quieter, and the evening aarti and langar are memorable.
- Next steps. Read our guide to Manali, Kasol and Jibhi and the Skypath Manali and Kasol road trip.
See the Parvati Valley with us
Our Manali and Kasol road trip covers the valley with a driver and a clear plan.