Here’s my honest recommendation if this blog is long for you to read: If you’re in Kasol and in doubt of going to Manikaran, Just go there! Forget about everything you see online. Just go there and come back within an hour. It’ll be worth it! Go to the temple next to the Gurudwara and it’ll be worth the experience.

Manikaran comes on top of the list in places to visit in Kasol. Naturally, I was not sure of going there since it seemed like a religious place. The major attractions are the Gurudwara and the temples nearby. Hence it is a sacred place for Hindus and Sikhs alike.

The main attraction for me however was the hotsprings! The boiling hot water in the midst of cold chilly winter weather in the Himalayas surprised me!

It was around 5 degree Celsius when I reached Manikaran and I went to the Gurudwara first. There are baths for men and women at the entrance itself. However, the women’s bath at the entrance was empty and the bathrooms were in really bad shape.

But, then came the real entrance of the Gurudwara. It is a bridge over the Parvati river with fumes coming up from the river. It was the first first time I witnessed such a view. I’ve so far seen fog, chilly weather and wind of Himachal. Hot water from the river, that too in the midst of this chilly weather was the last in my imagination.

Here’s a but of info you might need to Manikaran.

How to reach Manikaran

Since the Gurudwara is one of the best places to start with parking as well, I think it is better to put your location to Manikaran.

If you are a solo traveler like me then you can either take a public transport bus from Kasol to Manikaran or take a cab from Kasol. Both will take you till Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara.

Since a terrible flood washed away a lot of places in and around Kasol, the roads are in pretty bad in shape and getting rebuilt at some places.

From the road, you need to take stairs that go down to the gurudwara.

The Entrance of Gurudwara

The first sight after taking the gurudwara is the bridge over the Parvati river. On one side, the river river is flowing with all its might. The weather was really chilly. However, there are many small uprise of steam on the sides of the river. These are first sights of the hot springs and it took me by surprise.

How can the water be boiling in the middle of a river with cold water flowing!

Once you cross the bridge, there are bath for men and women separately. You need to remove the shoes. There were people taking bath there. However, it was a public one and not that well maintained.

I did check the temperature of water there. That was another shock for me. It was not warm or lukewarm. It was HOT! Like, it was boiling hot!

I know there might be a scientific explanation for all of this. But, this natural boiling water when it was 5 degrees outside took me by surprise.

So, I decided to go inside the gurudwara and check out the rest of the place.

Before entering the Gurudwara

You need to remove your shoes before entering the Gurudwara. There is a shoe house were you can keep the shoes and somebody, a volunteer, keeps a check on the people coming and going there.

I removed the shoes there and went to sit in the Gurudwara for some time. You need to take another stairs to reach the Gurudwara.

You need to cover your hair as well. That is for both men and women. I had a shawl with me so, I used that. In case you don’t carry one, you can get for a small amount from there.

Gurudwara

Gurudwara is the temple of Sikhs. I have only been to one in Delhi while I was studying there. It is been more than 10 years now.

It is a hall where the holy book of Sikhs were read continuously like a poem or music. I don’t understand the language but it is a bit soothing to just sit there and be there!

I first looked around the place and found a bookstall and a big Dhol covered in Orange cloth.

Even though there were many visitors, only few were inside the gurudwara. I spent some time inside.

Langar

Gurudwara also provides free food for everyone. This act is called Langar where the volunteers prepare food and distribute. I went to the hall which was next to the Gurudwara main hall. Everyone moved so fast and organized here.

A section for preparing food. There was dal and rice and other items. Another team involved in serving the food. Another section was dedicated for washing the dishes in hot water. Next to it was a tea counter where you get milk tea.

I didn’t have lunch since I had prior plans. However, while I was taking pictures somebody asked me to take the picture of the guy in the photographs. That is a swamy or a guru who created this place on his own.

If you scan the QR code over there, you can listen to the whole story in either Hindi or Pubjabi.

Free Accomodation

Maniakaran Gurudwara also provides free accommodation. Whoever went there says its a free and safe facility. I could see a lot of rooms in line as well.

I was almost about to leave after seeing the whole place. Then I decided to checkout the temples nearby. The best decision I made that day I would say!

How to reach the temples from Gurudwara?

There is a narrow passage through the gurudwara. It takes you to a busy market where there are many stalls that sell essentials for the temples and other craft work.

My first stop was the Shiva temple. You need to remove the shoes here as well. However, when I touched the first step to the temple, it was so hot! Let me remind you again, the weather here is really chilly with a temperature of around 5-7 degrees.

The whole temple is so small but very hot!

I was confused at what people where doing with a thread and dipping something in the well-like structures. Turns put, there is a guy who sells cloth pouches with rice and black gram in it. You purchase it and dip it in that water and it gets boiled in 10 minutes. They take it home as a souvenir from here.

I also saw three clay pots dipped inside that water. Not sure what’s inside. Probably food!

Another interesting thing was the statue of Nandi at the entrance of the main hall of temple where the deity is kept and the pooja happens.

People spoke in Nandi’s ears as a secret. It was an interesting sight. Must be prayers or their wishes that they want to deliver to God!

I would say don’t miss this temple since it was the best experience.

There were many other temples after this while you continue to walk through the market. Most of them were closed when I went for the first time.

Yes, I went there again yesterday to show around to another person. Yesterday it was around Zero degrees when we reached there. Again, surprisingly, the water was still boiling!

We also saw a little function of the local Gods and Goddesses meeting on the road.

Before I end the blog, the whole place is a wreck in terms of facilities since the flood. It’ll be great if you keep the expectations to a minimum. Also, the place is really busy and crowded especially during weekends. Also, there’s fine for taking in the illegal substances or whatever mentioned at the entrance.

On map: [//]:# (!pinmapple 32.02721 lat 77.34475 long Manikaran d3scr)