Hot Water Springs in Himachal
The healing powers of hot springs have been used and valued by people for thousands of years. The bubbling waters of hot springs contain a variety of minerals with natural restorative properties. When you bathe in a hot spring your skin soaks in these minerals, increasing circulation and oxygen flow, much like when you exercise.
Himachal Pradesh has several springs that are ideal for naturally heated, mineral-rich thermal baths. The therapeutic qualities of these hot springs have drawn travellers for centuries. Village people often construct tank-like structures around these spring pools to create small enclosures where visitors and local residents can bathe in semi-privacy. Tucked away in mountain nooks, these unpretentious and simple tanks often afford dramatic views of towering mountains and gorgeous river valleys
The number of hot-water springs 'a freak of nature' are found at many places in Himachal Pradesh. The Manikaran, Kalath and Vashisht have been developed as spots of tourist attraction in the Kullu Valley having a unique distinction of possessing mineral and thermal water springs. The water springs of Vashisht have been turned into Turkish baths.
Generally the three types of water springs are observed in Himachal Pradesh. They are ordinary springs, mineral water springs and thermal water springs. An ordinary water spring can be defined as temporary or permanent passing underground water to the surface. Mineral water spring has the distinction of high temperature water. One common feature to all types of springs is that there is natural fluctuation in the quantity of water, that is attributed mainly due to climatic conditions in the area. For example the renowned Sulaha spring water (in Kangra) have been observed having healing properties, however, said to have lost subsequently both its mineral properties as well as its original colossal quantitative flow. As per international standards, a spring with temperature exceeding 20°C can be designated as a thermal water spring.
There are a number of hot water springs located in Himachal Pradesh:
Manikaran:
Located in Parbati valley of Kullu district. The bath in the waters of this spring is said to be useful for curing pneumonia, gout, rheumatism, muscu Manikaran is at a distance of 45 kms from Kullu. There are large numbers of springs in this region within the radius of 1.3 km. The water comes out from underground with great pressure and the temperature of water is somewhat near the boiling point, that is, 97 degree Celsius. The water of springs is so hot that food items like rice, pulses are cooked by placing their bowls on the hot water.
Manikaran is regarded as the sacred place and worshippers from different parts of the country come here to take bath in this holy water of Manikaran. The hot water here is very beneficial for skin related ailments. Ailments like rheumatism, pneumonia, backache are rapidly cured by taking bath in this water. It is believed that once Goddess Parvati lost her ear rings in the pond here. When she reported this to lord Shiva, he looked at the pond with great anger. Due to this anger the water here became very hot and started boiling. Since then hot springs are formed here.lar pains and bronchitis quite rapidly. Pilgrims and locals often cook their meals in the spring water.
A Gurudwara, commemorating Guru Nanak Dev’s visit to Manikaran in the year 1574 is visited by thousands of Sikh pilgrims around the year. With the Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurudwara is a holy hot water bath spring that all pilgrims take to. Other than the first Sikh Guru, the 10th Guru Gobind Singh also did visit the place in his lifetime.
Kasol :
32 kms from Shunter in Kullu district, is another hot water spring opposite to village Nikhatan. The general temperature of this hot-spring is much lower than at Manikaran and it has similar condition of temperature as that of Khirganga hot water springs situated at an elevation of 2960 met. over Khauli Pass in Kullu.
Being one of the less explored tourist destinations in Himachal, Kasol village in Kullu has many surprises in store for visitors. Among them is the presence of hot water springs that lay at a distance of 32 kilometers from Bhuntar, Kullu. The spot is approachable by a footpath that stretches to an area of 1km. Here, hot water comes out only at one spot and water temperature is much lower than that of other hot water springs in Himachal.
Khirganga:
This Hot-spring is located in Kullu valley.Among the numerous legends associated with this place one holds that ‘Kartik’, the elder son of ‘Lord Shiva’ and Goddess Parvati remained in ‘samadhi’ for thousands of years at this place.
Vashishta :
6 kms. from Manali in Kullu district on the left bank of the river Beas. A tiny hamlet that is home to a number of natural sulphuric springs, Vashisht lies in the valley of river Beas. Touted as Sage Vashist’s place of meditation, the spring is said to have formed at the spot where Lakshman (from the Indian epic Ramayana) shot an arrow into the ground. The temperature of the water in the kunds is about 110 degree Fahrenheit.
Famous for its Turkish type baths, this hot water spring is located well above the river Beas, near Manali. These hot waters have made Vashisht village a well-known around the world. The Vashisht hot waters springs are believed to heal many skin diseases. The temperature of the water vary from 110°F to 123°F. Natural hot sulphur springs with two separate bathing tanks for men and women are available here.Vashisht is also known for the stone temple dedicated to Vashisht Muni.
Tattapani :
51 kms. from Shimla and 29 kms. from Naldera, on the right bank of the river Satluj is a natural sulphur spring. The word Tattapani itself means hot water. The hot springs here are natural sulphur springs. It is situated at distance of about 50 kms from capital city Shimla. However, it comes under the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Hot springs of Tattapani also have the medicinal benefits. The sulphur mineral dissolved in water helps in curing various bodily diseases. Tattapani is located on the right bank of the river Sutlej.
Jeori :
In Kinnaur district beyond,Rampur Bushahr on Hindustan- Tibet Road on the right bank of Uno Khad (stream). Jeori hot water springs are located on the picturesque road to Spiti valley, commonly known as the Hindustan Tibet Road. The Chhari Yatra (holy mace) of the famous Manimahesh pilgrimage to Shrikhand Mahadev peak, held in the month of July, starts with a dip in the hot spring waters of Jeori.
Kalath in Kullu
Around 6.5 km downstream from Manali, natural sulphurous waters flow from the depths of the earth. The little-known village of Kalath, located on the banks of the Beas river, has six natural hot water springs that are believed to have curative properties.
Tatwani in Kangra
A short drive through the lush green Kangra Valley will take you to Tatwani hot spring, a well-kept local secret. Enclosed within a quaint temple, the hot waters of the spring flow into a small pool from the mouth of a lion carved from stone. The warm waters are believed to heal many ailments and cleanse the skin of impurities.