Manikkaran , popularly known as the 'Holy City of Sikhs' and the rest of the Hindus , is situated in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Manikaran is located on a hilltop about 5 km from Kullu city . It is a place where the sacred shrine of the Hindu Lord Shiva is united with the Gurudwara of the Sikhs. Apart from the religious significance of the place, it is an 1835 meter high mountain region known for its hot springs. It is the left bank of the Parvati River, and the rest of the river is calm and cool, with the hot springs spreading across the valley for about one and a half kilometers and attracting thousands of tourists.
One of the three hot springs is located inside the gurdwara, the other two become guesthouses and bath houses. There are separate sections for men and women to bath in hot spring water. Believers believe that bathing in these water will cure skin ailments as well as air bugs and arthritis .
Scientifically speaking , because the water in these springs contains sulfur, it is capable of curing diseases , but people have religious and spiritual beliefs. Scientists have confirmed that hot springs rise because of the radium content in these waters.
According to the Sikhs
Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, arrives here in 1574 with his follower Bhai Mardana during the Third Udasi. Guru Nanak asked for Langar from the village. They received all the raw material but there was no fire to cook. Guru Nanak Dev Ji told his disciples to lift a stone. To everyone’s surprise, there was boiling hot water under the stone – good enough to cook food in it.
However, the food kept getting drowned in the hot water pond and the disciples looked at the Guru. Guru taught them a lesson in gratitude when he asked them to offer the food to God if you want to have it. And yes, as soon as it was pledged to be offered to God, food started floating.
According to the Hindus
According to the tales in Brahma legend, Aashutosh Bhagwan Shankar appeared with Parvati on his visit to this magical place. Mesmerized by the splendour of this place, Bhagwan Shankar and Mata Parvati, vowed to live and practice the meditation here for 11 thousand years. Once, a jewel of Mata Parvati lost in the other world when it fell down in the water while she was playing in the water. Bhagwan Shiva ordered his ‘Gana’ (angels) to find out the lost jewel (Mani) of Mata. When all failed to find out the lost mani, Bhagwan Shankar became furious and opened his third eye.
Devotees visiting the temple of Lord Shiva visit the Gurudwara, the sacred site of the Sikhs, which is located next to it. Whoever arrives here will have a meal ready. For the langar here, the rice, pulses and peanuts are cooked in hot water naturally flowing from the ground beneath the presence of Lord Shiva. Put the washed rice in the copper pots and seal the sack in the hot pot for about 20 minutes. Likewise, thousands of devotees in the gurdwara enjoy the pranas of the langar form in the gurdwara, as well as vegetables.
Situated in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Manikaran is located at an altitude of 1760 m above sea level. This is why most travelers prefer to visit the place during the summer months of April to June. Shraddha devotees visit the place throughout the year, regardless of winter, rainy season and cold.
Manikaran is 232 km approx from the state capital Shimla and just 4 km from another beautiful hill station "Kasol". By bus, you can reach Kullu or Manali and then take a cab to reach Manikaran. It takes about 90 minutes by bus to reach Bhuntar airport and then take a bus to Manikaran.
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