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Manikaran is at the bottom
of dark gorge with hot sulphurspring emerging from the
rock strewn banks of the Parvati. According to Hindu
mythology while Parvati bathed in the river, Naga, the
serpent god stole her "Manikaran" (earrings). |
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There are both Hindu and Sikh pilgrim centers
offering "Langar" (community food) and stay to
devotees. One can see food being cooked with the
help of boiling sulphur waters. Manikaran sulphur
water is said to have miraculous healing
properties for skin ailments. People take bath and
many claim to have being cured with its
therapeutic properties. There are separate baths
for men and women. |
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From
Manikaran there are short treks to Pulga and
Kheer Ganga
beyond while a foot path (affected by landslips in
places) lead to the
Pin Valley
in
Spiti.
Manikaran though not attractive in itself,
provides a brief halt for trekkers. It has become
a popular place for dropouts. The nearby town of
Kasol has best hotels for short and long stays.
Budget hotels in kasol offer good prices, neat and
clean accommodation
with modern
amenities. Due to increase in tourism activities,
many hotels in Kasol are providing additional
activities like camping, trekking and biking tours
around valley. |
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A sweet
Child in kasol (Parvati Valley)
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 Cheaper guest houses are available in Manikaran
 & nearby
towns like
Kasol with both traditional and modern amenities.
Local families also take paying guests. Eating the Sikh
Gurudwara does excellent meals, steam cooked at the
springs (donation only). There are way side “Dhabas”
(economic food joints) serving local food, while some
near the spring cater for Westerns. |
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