All About Gurudwara Shri Manikaran Sahib



All About Gurudwara Shri Manikaran Sahib

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Location Hari Har Ghat, Manikaran Rd, Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh 175105

Open - All days of the week

Opening Time - 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Fee - No Entry Fee

 

ABOUT MANIKARAN SAHIB GURUDWARA

Gurudwara Shri Manikaran Sahib is a revered Sikh pilgrimage site located in the Parvati Valley near the town of Kullu in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated on the banks of the Parvati River, which is known for its hot springs and beautiful scenic views. The Gurudwara is dedicated to Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith, who is said to have visited the site during his travels in the 16th century.

According to legend, Guru Nanak Dev Ji was visiting the area with his disciple, Bhai Mardana, when they faced difficulty in preparing a meal due to the lack of firewood. Guru Nanak Dev Ji asked Bhai Mardana to lift a stone, which resulted in a hot spring of water and steam emerging from the ground, and the wood was instantly cooked. Since then, the hot springs have been considered sacred by Sikhs and are believed to have healing properties.

The Gurudwara also has a langar hall, where free food is served to all visitors, irrespective of their religion or caste. Apart from the main Gurudwara, there are several other temples and shrines in the area, including the Lord Ramchandra Temple, Lord Shiva Temple, and the Kulant Pith, which is considered a holy site by both Hindus and Sikhs. Every year, thousands of devotees from across the world visit Gurudwara Shri Manikaran Sahib to seek blessings and take a dip in the hot springs. The Gurudwara is open 24 hours a day, and visitors are required to cover their heads and remove their shoes before entering.

 

HOW TO REACH MANIKARAN SAHIB GURUDWARA

There are several ways to reach Manikaran Gurudwara.

Here are some of the most common options: By Road: Manikaran is well-connected by road, and there are regular bus services from major cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Shimla. Private taxis and cars are also available for hire.

By Train: The nearest railway station to Manikaran is Joginder Nagar, which is around 80 km away. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Manikaran.

By Air: The nearest airport to Manikaran is the Kullu-Manali Airport, which is around 50 km away. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Manikaran. Once you reach Manikaran, the Gurudwara is located in the center of the town, and it is easily accessible on foot. You can also take a taxi or auto-rickshaw to reach the Gurudwara.

 

WHAT IS MANIKARAN GURUDWARA FAMOUS FOR:

Manikaran Gurudwara is famous for its natural hot springs, which are believed to have healing properties. The hot springs are considered sacred by Sikhs, and it is believed that the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, visited the site during his travels in the 16th century. According to legend, when Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his disciple, Bhai Mardana, faced difficulty in preparing a meal due to the lack of firewood, Guru Nanak Dev Ji asked Bhai Mardana to lift a stone, which resulted in a hot spring of water and steam emerging from the ground, and the wood was instantly cooked.

Since then, the hot springs have been a popular destination for devotees who believe in their healing powers. Apart from the hot springs, Manikaran Gurudwara is also famous for its langar hall, where free food is served to all visitors, irrespective of their religion or caste. This tradition of serving free food, known as langar, is an important aspect of Sikhism and is practiced at all Gurudwaras. Manikaran Gurudwara is also surrounded by beautiful scenic views and is a popular pilgrimage site for Sikhs and other devotees from around the world.

 

MANIKARAN SAHIB HISTORY

Manikaran Sahib is a famous pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Sikhs, located in the Parvati Valley on the banks of the Parvati River in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, India.

The history of Manikaran Sahib dates back to ancient times. According to legend, Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvati, were once roaming around the Himalayas. While they were taking a bath in the Parvati River, Goddess Parvati lost her earring. Lord Shiva then ordered his attendant to search for the earring. When the earring could not be found, Lord Shiva became angry, and he opened his third eye, which resulted in the emergence of hot water and the creation of hot springs in the area. The earring was then found in one of the hot springs.

The hot springs at Manikaran Sahib are considered to have medicinal properties and are believed to cure various ailments. The water temperature in the hot springs can reach up to 80 degrees Celsius. The hot springs are also considered holy by both Hindus and Sikhs.

Manikaran Sahib is also associated with Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. According to Sikh tradition, Guru Nanak visited the area in the 16th century with his disciple Bhai Mardana. It is said that when Bhai Mardana was hungry, Guru Nanak asked him to collect food from the local people. However, no one was willing to give them food. Guru Nanak then prayed to God, and miraculously, hot springs started to emerge from the ground, and Bhai Mardana was able to cook food in the hot water.

The Gurudwara at Manikaran Sahib was built in the 19th century, and it is considered one of the holiest Sikh shrines in India. The gurudwara has a langar (community kitchen) that serves free food to all visitors regardless of their religion or caste.