Manikaran Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Manikaran

Sri Guru Nanak Devji Gurudwara is a renowned tourist destination located at Manikaran in the state of Himachal Pradesh. According to a text in the ‘Twarikh Guru Khalsa’ written by Giani Gian Singh, Guru Nanak Dev visited Manikaran with five disciples for the welfare of the place.

There Guru Nanak instructed Bhai Mardana, one of his disciples, to collect pulses and flour from residents of Manikaran for ‘langar’ or free community food. Later, Guru Nanak Dev asked him to pick up a stone lying next to where he was sitting. From that very spot, a hot water spring started flowing out. This spring can still be seen and its hot water is utilised for preparing ‘langar’.

Pilgrims visiting Manikaran take dips in this spring and drink its water. People believe that taking baths in the hot spring helps in the achievement of salvation.

Maharishi Ved Vyas, the author of the Mahabharata, had foretold in the ‘Bhavishya Puran’, that after Guru Nanak’s visits, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth of 11 Sikh gurus, and his Panj Piaras or the ‘five beloved ones’, will also visit Manikaran.

Kulant Pith, situated at Vishnu Kund in the state of Himachal Pradesh, is amongst the most superior piths in the country. According to folklore, Lord Shiva, the Hindu deity of destruction resided here. As a reason, this place attracts numerous pilgrims.

This pith has a tank containing holy water, which is believed is capable of conceding salvation to devotees. Narada, a divine sage of the Vaishnava community, stated that with the power of the eyes of Lord Shankara believers can be free from anger and evil. It is also believed that the devotees who eat the food cooked in the boiling water get a place in Vishnu Lok, the dwelling of Lord Vishnu, the Hindu deity of preservation.

Harindar Mountain & Parvati River, located at Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh, attract numerous tourists throughout the year. The snow-capped Harinder Mountain and its lush green valley together add to the beauty of Manikaran.

Lord Ramchandra Temple, constructed by Raja Jagat Singh in the 17th century, is a popular tourist destination situated at Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh. According to a legend, this temple was shifted from Ayodhya to Manikaran by Lord Ramachandra, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu and the king of Ayodhya.

The history of this temple can be found written on one of the stones of its walls, which is now illegible. The renovation of the temple was done by Raja Dilip Singh in the year 1889 and currently it is looked after by a trust. The temple has three halls and forty rooms for visitors in its complex.

Temple of Lord Shiva is an ancient shrine located at Manikaran in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Shiva along with Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, and Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation forms the Hindu triumvirate or Trimurti.

This temple became tilted after an earthquake in 1905 that measured 8.0 on the Richter scale. People believe that deities from the Kullu Valley visit this temple every year. The temple, thus, attracts numerous Hindus, apart from tourists, throughout the year.

The most popular tourist destination in Manikaran is the hot springs, one situated at the Guru Nanak Devji Gurudwara and another in the River Parvati. The hot spring located on the banks of the Parvati River is also a popular tourist attraction. After numerous researches and experiments, it was found that the water of the springs contains radioactive minerals and natural uranium.

Khirganga is a well-known tourist destination located at Manikaran. It is said that the white water of the hot springs has medicinal properties. Etymologically, the name ‘khirganga’ came from the white water of the hot springs. The spring water gets its creamy white colour from the sulphur present in it, which floats up to the surface.

Mantalai, famous for its scenic naturalistic beauty, located at a short distance of 2 km from Khirganga, also attracts visitors to the place. Pulga, which features a stunning view of river Parvati and snow white mountains is also linked with Khirganga via a trekking route.

Pulga, located at a distance of 18 km from Manikaran, is a prominent tourist destination in Manikaran. Considered as nature’s paradise by many, it is surrounded by beautiful pine forests and several trekking routes. Visitors interested in trekking can undertake the 16 km route with the climbing opportunity to a height of 1600 m.

This route connects Pulga with Kasol. Visitors can also trek to Manikaran and Khirganga from Pulga. The place has a forest rest house surrounded by green fields where visitors can rest.