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Shir Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara Tour

Manikaran is located in the Parvati Valley along the banks of river Parvati, northeast of Bhuntar in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh. It is an altitude of 1760 m and is located about 40 km from Bhuntar. This small town attracts tourists visiting Manali and Kullu to its hot springs and pilgrims centers. Manikaran, a place of pilgrimage for Hindus and Sikhs, has many temples and a gurudwara. It has perfect examples of the historic temples of Lord Rama, Krishna, Vishnu (Raghunath) and godess Bhagwati.

Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji is an historic sikh shrine present there which was discovered by Baba Narayan Hari, the history of the gurudwara sahib is mentioned in Bhai Bala Janamsakhi and Twarikh Guru Khalsa.

Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanak dev Ji is located where Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji was with his Sikhs in the Himalayas mountains of India. It is said that during third Udasi, Guru Nanak Dev Ji came to this place in 1574 Bikrami with his disciples Bhai Bala & Bhai Mardana. His sikhs were hungry and there was no food. Guru Nanak sent his Good friend Bhai Mardana to collect food for langar (the community kitchen). Many people donated rice and flour to make parsadas (bread). The one problem was that there was no fire to cook the food.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji then lifted a rock and a hot spring (hot water) appeared. The Sikhs were able to make rice and beans. Bhai Mardana was having trouble making parasadas (chapatis) because they kept sinking. Bhai Mardana said, "I am going to donate my life in the name of God". The parsada amazingly floated. Guru Nanak Dev Ji said that anyone who donates his life in name of God, All his (or her) drowned items will float. This was miracle.

The place is famous for its hot boiling sulphur springs, which are revered by lakhs who come here for a dip in the curing waters. It is believed that the hot springs can cure skin diseases or even ease the swelling caused by gout. A huge Gurudwara has been erected in the memory of Guru Nanak who is believed to have visited this place. A number of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims visit the Gurudwara every year. The Ram temple mentioned above, built in 16th century, is situated near the Gurudwara.

According to the legend, when Lord Shiva and his better helf Parvati were walking in the valley, Parvati dropped one of her earrings. The jewel was seized by Shesha-Nag, the serpent deity, who then disappeared into the earth with it. Shesha-Nag only surrendered the jewel when Shiva performed the cosmic dance, the "Tandava" and shot the jewel up through the water. Apparently, it is said that jewels continued to be thrown up in the waters at Manikaran until the earthquake of 1905.

The name Manikaran is derived from this legend. The water is still hot and is considered extremely auspicious. A pilgrimage to this place is thought of as complete. It is also believed that there is no need to pay a visit to "Kashi" after visiting this place. The water of the spring is also supposed to have curative powers. The water is so hot that rice for the "langar" is cooked by putting it into a linen-bag and dipping it into the boiling water.

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