Himachal
Parvati Valley
A Complete Travel Guide to Manikaran
Want to go on a pilgrimage to Manikaran, the gem of Parvati valley, or just planning to visit this beautiful place for sight-seeing? Whatever the reason, read this most definite travel guide to Manikaran in Parvati Valley of Kullu in Himachal Pradesh before you go. Check out all the details from places to visit and stay in Manikaran, to how to reach Manikaran, road condition, best time to visit Manikaran etc.
A Travel Guide
Why Manikaran is famous
Located on the bank of Parvati river, Manikaran is famous because it’s a place of pilgrimage for both Sikhs and Hindus. There are four temples and a gurdwara in Manikaran which are visited by lakhs of pilgrims annually.
Besides being a pilgrimage, Manikaran is also hugely popular because of its hot water springs, verdant forests, a gushing Parvati river and a stunning landscape. There are also a number of other beautiful places near Manikaran that you can visit.
Why Manikaran is called Manikaran
According to a popular legend, once when goddess Parvati was bathing in the river here, her precious earrings, which she had kept on the bank, were stolen by the serpent god Sheshnaag, who took them underneath the Earth. When Parvati complained, an angry lord Shiva forced the Sheshnaag to return the rings. Sheshnaag snorted, blowing the earrings out of his nostrils where he had hidden them.
The earrings pierced through the Earth, creating holes through which hot water springs emerged on the bank of the river. This is how Parvati’s precious earrings or Manikaran where Mani means ‘precious jewel’ and Karan means ‘ear’ in Hindi, were returned and hence the place was named Manikaran thereafter. The same legend has it that this is also how the hot water springs of Manikaran originated.
Places to visit in Manikaran
There are a number of places you can visit in Manikaran:
Manikaran Sahib gurdwara
Manikaran Sahib gurdwara was built in memory of Sikh guru Nanak Dev, who is believed to have visited Manikaran. You cross a bridge over Parvati river to reach the gurdwara. The gurdwara has a public bath and a newly built parking lot. This place mostly remained thronged with pilgrims.
Lord Shiva temple
Right next to the gurdwara is the Shiva temple. To reach here, you have to cross the main Manikaran market. There are hot water springs inside the temple where pilgrims cook rice in cloth pouches suspended into the boiling water by strong threads. There are also hot water springs right below the temple and on the bank of Parvati river. From here, you also get a good view of the gurdwara.
Ram temple
Much older than the gurdwara and the Shiv temple, there is a Ram temple in Manikaran. It was got constructed around 500 years back by Kullu royals, whose rule extended to the Parvati valley also.
Naina Devi temple and Pandav temple
There are two more temples next to the Ram temple — the Naina Devi temple and a Pandav temple, believed to have been built by the Pandavas as per a legend. Nana Devi temple of Manikaran is a stone-and-wood temple with some excellent wood carvings. Pilgrims from all over the country visit these temples throughout the year.
Manikaran’s hot water springs and public baths
Much before temples and gurdwara came into existence, Manikaran used to be a place of pilgrimage because of its hot water springs. It was believed that bathing in the hot springs not only absolved you of your sins but also cure skin diseases.
Presently, there is a large hot water public bath at the gurdwara and another one at the Naina Devi temple with separate male and female sections. There are also few private hot water public baths in Manikaran. You can try one of these baths but hygiene can be an issue especially at public baths.
Best time to visit Manikaran
The best time to visit Manikaran is September-October-November and March-April when there is not too much traffic or rush of visitors. The visitor rush peaks in the summer months of May and June. You should avoid visiting in the monsoon months of July and August also as rains can cause a host of problems in Himachal including bad road conditions, landslides and even floods.
You can also visit in December, until and unless there is heavy snowfall or if you don’t like cold weather.
How’s the weather in Manikaran
Surrounded by sharp rising mountain walls, which remain mostly snow-capped, Manikaran is located at an altitude of around 1829 meters or 5971 feet. It’s a cold place in winters when the minimum temperature starts hovering around zero degrees Celsius but in summers it becomes warm with maximum temperature hardly ever crossing the 40-degree mark.
How to reach Manikaran
Manikaran is situated around 36 kms from nearest Bhuntar town and around 40 kms from Kullu town in Himachal Pradesh. You can reach Bhuntar via road from Chandigarh. There is also a connecting flight between Bhuntar and Chandigarh.
But due to the small size of Bhuntar airport and smaller runway, the number of passengers a plane carries is limited because of the load penalty and which in turn results in higher air fares. Flight cancellation at the Bhuntar airport especially during monsoon and winters is also quite frequent. So, travelling by road is a better option till Bhuntar airport is upgraded.
Road condition from Bhuntar to Manikaran
The road condition from Bhuntar to Manikaran is not really ideal. It’s a narrow single-lane potholed and dusty road. Many stretches of this road were washed away or damaged in the monsoon of 2023 and are still to be repaired. There is also a danger of landslides at many stretches, making this road highly risky during the rainy season. In summers, heavy rush of vehicles on this road causes frequent and sometimes endless traffic jams.
Parking in Manikaran
Parking is an issue in Manikaran despite the fact that there are a number of private parking lots here and even the local gurdwara has a huge parking lot. The problem of parking becomes worse in the heavy rush summer season when people start parking along the side of the narrow road, which results in traffic jams.
Where to eat in Manikaran
There are few ‘Punjabi dhabas’ at the Manikaran bus stand where you can have breakfast, lunch and dinner. These dhabas mostly serve north Indian food.
What precautions to take in Manikaran
You must avoid going near the waters of Parvati river. The river here doesn’t merely flow. It rages and races down. Don’t go near the Parvati river especially in Manikaran as a little slip of feet can be fatal. Over the years, many visitors, who went too near the river for clicking selfies and pictures, have drowned in this river. Also, it’s required that you take off your shoes while visiting the gurdwara and temples. Inside the gurdwara, you are also required to cover your head with a cap or a piece of cloth.
Nearby places to visit in Manikaran
The most popular place to visit near Manikaran is Kasol, which is situated just four kms from here. You can spend the rest of the day exploring Kasol, which is a favourite among youngsters. If you have time and stay in the Parvati valley then you can also visit some of other popular destinations including Malana, Tosh, Pulga and Kalgha villages etc. You can also reach the Bijli Mahadev temple from Parvati valley.
Places to stay in Manikaran
If you don’t want to spend on hotels then you can stay for free at the accommodations offered by the gurdwara and Ram temple sarais in Manikaran. There are not too many hotels and homestays in Manikaran. But you can stay at the nearby Kasol. Here is our list of top hotels/guesthouses/homestays/camping sites in and around Kasol and Manikaran.
1. Parvati Kuteer
A log hut cottage resort located in Kasol, Parvati Kuteer is highly-reviewed accommodation at Tripadvisor and the winner of Travellers’ Choice Awards. Located on the bank of Parvati river, Parvati Kuteer has parking space, attached restaurant, BBQ facilities, evening entertainment etc.
2. Royal castle
Another highly reviewed four-star property, Royal Castle features a fitness centre, a garden, a terrace, a restaurant and a bar.
3. The Hosteller
The first hostel of Kasol, this property is ideal for a backpacker, who is looking forward to relaxing and rejuvenating. The Hosteller provides free wifi, taxi service and has restaurant facilities.
4. Wabi Sabi hostel
This hostel has a shared lounge, terrace, restaurant and 24-hour front desk. There is also a tennis court at this property.
5. Odyssey Stays Parvati Woods Camps
If you want to stay at a campsite then this one is one of the best. Situated amidst dense pine trees, Odyssey Stays has Swiss tents for accommodation. There is an in-house café and bonfire every night.
6. Delight Homestay
Situated in Kasol, Delight Homestays has comfortable rooms with balconies offering nice views of the mountains.
7. Purnima Guest House
Situated in Old Kasol, this guest house has all the amenities including free wifi and a 24-hour help desk.
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