Gems of Parvati Valley: Kasol and Manikaran

From the lap of the mighty Himalayas to the laid-back town of Bhuntar, Parvati River with its sublime surrounding and it’s aura of tranquility has converted the valley into a fairyland for travelers. Over the past few years, a number of villages in Parvati Valley raised as hubs for tourists. The valley is home to places of religious significance, exceptional beauty, several mouthwatering cuisines and much more. These places are friendly and welcome you to home with their comparatively cheaper accommodations, satisfying good meal and ever-smiling locals. This year I and my brother Puneet decided to visit two such gems namely Kasol and Manikaran. 

Kasol:

Even though I am born and brought up in the hills and the Himalayas were my ever changing backyard, I could have never imagined what Kasol had in store for me. To be very frank, before one actually visits this place it is difficult to imagine the peace that can waft through the air.

Kasol is a small village and the main traveler hangout in the valley. The nearest town is Bhuntar which is 32 km from Kasol and regular buses from Bhuntar to Manikaran pass through Kasol which is approximately ₹ 50 per person and a 2 hrs journey.  As they say, the journey is as important as the destination. This bus ride definitely adds a unique flavor to the Kasol experience. This ride will be the first time you witness the gushing Parvati River in its glory, you will find massive mountains surrounding you like guardians and several hamlets with their unique life and beautiful architecture.

For several years the wild cannabis growth in this place has attracted travelers from around the world and has made this place popular to be called “Amsterdam of India” and “refuge of hippies”. The small Israeli population along with the wild culture of cannabis and the second to none beauty will make you believe that you are in an entirely new world.

Accommodation in Kasol:

Kasol has no dearth of good places to sleep. There are a number of hotels, home stays, camps and resorts in the area. If you are low on budget and want to get the most out of your money then, home stays here are the best option for you. These homestays start for as low as ₹ 200 per night and are quite comfortable too. During our visit, we stayed at the Roof Top cafe ₹ 600/ night which was just opposite to the bus drop point in Kasol. Our room offered us the most amazing views, on one side we could see the snow-clad mountains and on other, the bustling market.

The cafe culture of Kasol:

If you think that the mountains and the Malana cream (the local cannabis) are the only attractions to Kasol, you are wrong. The hippie village offers you abundant options from Israeli, Italian, Chinese and Indian cuisines. The entire place is filled with a number of cafes. Each cafe is themed differently and with great ambiance. We visited Bhoj Cafe near Old Kasol and Roof Top cafe during our stay. Both of these places offered delicious food.

Other than this, the bakeries in Kasol are not to be missed. They too offer a variety of products to choose from such as Apple Pie, Apple crumbles, Rum ball and coconut cookies were our personal favorites.

Places to see: 

Kasol offers multiple exploration options for casual walkers, trekkers and everyone who falls into these two categories.The long trek from Kasol includes Kheerganga which takes 5-6 hrs. There are several shorter treks also which takes you to neighboring villages such as Malana, Tosh, Chalal etc. Our trek to Chalal was one of the most mesmerizing experiences that we had in my life. Everything was so peaceful and quiet. On one side of the trail was the river Parvati and on the other side, the dense pine forest. On the way to Chalal, there were several places where you could just sit next to the river and read a book or sing a song or write something or simply do whatever your busy hectic life doesn’t permit you to do.

Manikaran:

Manikaran (Jewel from the Ear) is a land of local legends and hot springs. There are many stories about this place and each is equally gripping. This village is situated at a distance of 4 Km from Kasol and 36 Km from Bhuntar. Regular buses and taxies are available for Manikaran from both of these places. Needless to say, the route from Kasol to Manikaran is simply beautiful and if you like walking as much as we do, then this 4 Km by the walk will be something that will give a lifetime remembrance.

As soon as you reach the place you will be greeted by what at first is mistaken as really dense clouds until one realizes that these are the vapors rising high from the hot water springs. It is surely a sight that can mesmerize anyone.

Several hot water springs are spread throughout the village. There are baths with separate facilities for men and women, in which the water is diluted to a bearable temperature with river water. This village also has several temples, including the stone hut style Raghunath Mandir where we had a delicious langar. 

Manikaran is centered around the enormous multi-storied Sri Guru Nanak Ji Gurudwara. The entire Gurudwara is engulfed in the vapors from the hot spring flowing effortlessly below. The amazing union of chilly winds and hot vapors is a mystical sight!

The market of Manikaran is dominated by Tibetans & one can buy religious idols, offerings, books, and several Tibetan products as souvenirs.