Holy Destinations of India
Manikaran
Manikaran is located in the Parvarti Valley which runs N/E from Bhuntar in the Kulu district of Himachal Pradesh. It is famous for its sulpher hot springs, its numerous temples and its beautiful surroundings. The Hindus believe that 'Manu' recreated human life in Manikaran after the flood, hence the sacredness of the town and the rest of the area. Lord Shiva also had connections here with his bride Parvarti's temple located on the steep hillside (which is also a good place to view the Dio Tibba Glacier, 6001m). A good place for hikers to stay for a few days and catch their breath and get warm in one of the baths before trecking on to Lahaul & Spiti.
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Photos of Manikaran |
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HISTORY
The Takhat is located at village Talwandi Sabo, 28 km Southeast of Bathinda. Literally, Damdama means breathing place. Guru Gobind Singh stayed here after fighting battles against the Mughals. Before his arrival at Talwandi Sabo, two of the Guru’s younger sons, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, aged 9 and 7 respectively, were bricked alive by Wazir Khan,the Nawab of Sirhind(Today, the place is known as Fatehgarh Sahib). His two elder sons, Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, laid down their lives while fighting Mughal forces at Chamkaur Sahib. After writing the Zafarnama, Guru Gobind Singh fought a successful battle at Muktsar and then moved towards Talwandi Sabo.
THE LEGEND OF MANIKARAN
The legend of Manikaran
states that while roaming around, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, once
chanced upon a place that was surrounded by mountains and was lush green.
Enamoured by the beauty of the place, they decided to spend some time there.
It is believed that they actually spent eleven hundred years here.
During their stay here, Goddess Parvati lost her mani in the waters of a
stream. Upset over the loss, she asked Shiva to retrieve it. Lord Shiva
commanded his attendant to find out the mani for 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. A pilgrimage to this place is thought of
as complete. Infact, it is also believed that there is no need to pay a
visit to Kashi after visiting this place. The water of the spring is also
supposed to have curative powers. The water is so hot that rice can be
cooked in it.
Climate of Manikaran
In winter, the temperature gets quite low when heavy woollens are required.
It is pleasant in Summer and Cottons are recommended.
PLACES TO VISIT
Lord
Ramchandra Temple: There are several temples in the Mani Karan village.
The most important is that of Lord Ramchandra. The Pandas or priests of the
village claim that the idol of Rama was brought from Ayodhya and installed
in this temple by the Raja of Kulu but this lacks a historic confirmation.
There was also an idol of Lakshman the younger brother of Lord Rama Chandra,
which has now disappeared. On the left hand side of the Lord is the idol of
Goddess Sita. The temple is very old and on one of the stones in its wall,
the history of the temple is written which is not legible.
Temple of Lord Shiva: There is another very old temple of Lord Shiva,
which got tilted during the earthquake of 1905. The great prestige with
which Manikaran is held is seen by the fact that the Devatas of Kulu valley
pay regular visits to Manikaran. The followers of the individual deities at
different places are carried ceremoniously in a procession to Manikaran on
specified auspicious days.
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurudwara: The place is also held sacred by the
Sikhs. The Janam Sakhi or the 'Twarikh Guru Khalsa' by Giani Gian Singh
mentions about the visit of Guru Nanak Dev to this place. It has been
mentioned that accompanied by his disciple Bhai Mardana, the Guru reached
Jwalamukhi temple after visiting Kalanaur, Gurdaspur, Dasuya, Triloknath,
Palampur and Kangra. The Guru then proceeded towards Mandi and after
visiting Chamba and Kulu, he came to Bijli Mahadev. After preaching at all
these places Guru Nanak Dev came to Mani Karan. The Janam Sakhi or the
"Autobiography of Bhai Mardana" mentions the miracles did by the Guru. The
Guru came to Mani Karan along with his Five 'Piaras' or followers.
Hot Springs: By taking bath here and by drinking water of this place,
people go to Heaven, this is said of the Manikaran tract since the times
immemorial. It is just like 'Kashi Kshetra' and there is no doubt about it.
On examination it is understood that the Manikaran hot spring is said to
have got Uranium and other radio active minerals.
Harinder Mountain & Parvati River: On the northern side, there is a
mountain, which is named as Harinder. Merely a look at this mountain will
make a person free from all evils and on the south is the Parvati River.
Kulant Pith: Out of all sectors 'Piths' of the country, this sector,
which is called 'Kulant Pith', is the superior most. Here, the most sacred
place of pilgrimage is Manikaran, and in it the 'Vishnu Kund' is the purest
of all. Lord Shankara was mightily pleased to stay here and this is
absolutely true. No other tank in the world, could be more pure than these
high rising tanks. Even a drop of water from the tanks will make one free of
all evils. Narad, on account of the influence of the Shankara's eye, said
that this sacred place, causes the disappearance of anger and evils. One who
eats the food cooked in this boiling water goes to the Vishnu Lok.Location:
Parvati Valley near Kullu-Manali
HOW TO REACH THERE
Air:
Linked by air to Chandigarh and Delhi. The airport at Bhuntar is 10-km from
the town.
Rail: Nearest railheads are Pathankot, 285-km and more conveniently
Chandigarh, 258-km.
Road: Well connected by road. Linked to 524-km and Chandigarh.
Regular bus and coach services link Kullu to Delhi and Chandigarh
Tourist Information
HP Tourism Development
Corporation
Dhalpur,
Kullu -175101
Tel: (01902) 222349