Lord Sri Rama's temple was constructed by Raja Jagat Singh in the 17th century. It is at an altitude of 1,756 mts and is located about 35 kms from Kullu. And an episode in the Ramayana has it that Lord Sri Rama used to frequently travel to Manikaran to worship Lord Shiva. The stories of god coming to Manikaran for offering prayers makes it a lot more of a spiritual experience. It is claimed that even before 1905, these hot water springs sprang with full force making a 11 to 14 feet high fountain. The temperature of different springs at Manikaran is 64 to 80 degrees Celsius. There is no Sulphur in these springs.
An earthquake in 1905 damaged and 'slightly tilted' the much-revered Lord Shiva temple. According to the Sikhs, during the third Udasi, the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak came to this place on 15 Asu 1574 Bikrami, with his disciple Bhai Mardana.
Mardana felt hungry and they had no food. Guru Nanak sent Mandana to collect food for the langar (the community kitchen). Many people donated atta (flour) to make roti (bread). The one problem was that there was no fire to cook the food.
Guru Nanak asked Mandana to lift a stone and he complied and a hot spring appeared. As directed by Guru Nanak, Mandana put the rolled chapatis in the spring to his despair the chapatis sank. Guru Nanak then told him to pray to God saying that if his chapatis floated back, then he would donate one chapati in His name. When he prayed all the chapatis started floating, duly baked. Guru Nanak said that anyone who donates in the name of God will have his drowned items float back.
The sacredness of the Gurudwara is so much that pilgrims consider that there is no need to visit the other spiritual places in India, after visiting this holy place.
Not just an esteemed place for the Sikhs, Manikaran carries much significance for the Hindus too. In the environment of the famed Gurudwara, three hot water springs, which are essentially used as sacred bathing ghats. One of them is found under the Manikaran Gurudwara and the other two adjacent to it.
The scrumptious langar comprises of authentic style North Indian thali of white rice, rotis, kadhi and aloo sabzi. The aroma of the food surrounds the langar.
The local inhabitants use the hot spring waters to cook most of their meals by dipping it in the bubbling waters. True it leaves a mark behind on the utensils but who cares if the fuel bill is misused and is a great savings.
Like the gorges, the hot springs are also considered holy and many people visit Manikiran to take a dip and get salvation from their sins. A bath here for beyond 10 minutes is not highly recommended due to its elemental properties. The body might not be able to accommodate the change in water immediately.
- Marcellus D'Souza
..concluded.
Tailpiece.
Got up at 6, lit the lamp in the puja room, opened up the house, put on the music. The chores and was ready by a quarter past 9.
A quiet Tuesday as we slowly started winding up our activities out here for an early morning move, tomorrow.
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