Hot Springs in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is known for the hot water springs throughout the country. Sacredness, medicinal quality of these hot springs in Himachal attracts thousands of tourists from different parts of the country all around the year.
Himachal Pradesh is one of the rarest states where one can find natural hot springs. Various regions in the Kullu, Mandi and Kinnaur district have hot springs. Generally there are three types of spring viz. ordinary springs, mineral springs, thermal springs. Ordinary spring is just water coming from the underground to the surface. Mineral springs have dissolved minerals in them. Thermal springs have water at very high temperature. Hot water springs are found in Himachal and are becoming popular among people as they have medicinal properties.
Taking bath in hot water springs helps in curing various kinds of skin diseases. The natural minerals dissolved in these hot spring water helps in curing the skin diseases. Famous places in Himachal where hot springs are found are as follows: Manikaran in Kullu
If we talk of hot springs in Himachal, the place Manikaran is first to strike the mind as it the most famous among all others. 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.Tattapani in Mandi
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.Vashisht in Kullu
Vashisht hot springs are located in the Manali region of Kullu district. The place is named after the Vashisht Rishi of Lord Rama's era. The water 'kunds' are present in the centre of the village. The temperature of the water in the kunds is about 110 degree Fahrenheit. People take baths in these kunds daily.
Other places in Himachal where hot springs are found are Kasol, Khirganga and Jeori. Kasol is situated at a distance of 32 kms from Bhuntar. The water here has low temperature upto 75 degree Celsius. Khirganga hot springs are also located in the Kullu district with less temperature of water. Jeori hot water springs are located in the Kinnaur district.
