Explore The Miracle Of Hot Water Spring At Manikaran!

Manikaran: The Town

Renowned for its pilgrimage centers, the small town of Manikaran in the state of Himachal Pradesh is nestled amidst the lush green Valley of Parvati at an altitude of 1760 meters. Nearly 45 kilometers away from the main town of Kullu in the Kullu District, this sacred town of hot water spring lies between the roaring rivers of Beas and Parvati. The town houses a number of Hindu temples and a gurudwara for the Sikhs. Hence, a large number of pilgrims throng to this town every year during their visit to Manali and Kullu. The place also holds its significance for its therapeutic spring of hot water and sparkling landscape.

Main attractions of the town

Although the town is symbolic of its religious importance for the Hindus with several temples scattered throughout, the main attraction of the Manikaran lies in the famous Shiv temple and the Sikh Gurudwara between which flows the miraculous hot water spring. Other attractions of the place include the temples of Lord Vishnu, Krishna and Rama. Apart from the above, the place also holds its importance for its scenic beauty and serene atmosphere.

The Myth of Manikaran Gurudwara and the Hot Water Spring

The multistory building of Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, which lies amidst the pool of hot water, has been built in the memory of Guru Nanak Dev's first visit to India along with his disciple Bhai Mardana. Legends tell that Guru Nanak did several miracles in this place. One of such instance is when Mardana was hungry and had no food to eat. Seeing this, Nanak sent him to collect food from the locals for both of them. Although, Mardana was successful in accomplishing the task assigned to him, yet the absence of fire could not let him cook the food. Then Nanak ji asked his disciple to lift a huge stone on which he was sitting and meditating. Mardana complied and a stream of hot water began to flow from that place. Now Guru Nanak asked Mardana to throw the uncooked food items in the stream and pray to God. After a while, the food items reappeared floating in the water in duly cooked form. Since then, the water of the hot water pool located inside the Gurudwara is used for cooking langar. Huge vassals loaded with raw food items are immersed in the hot water.
Today, the Gurudwara also has the capacity to accommodate approximately 4,000 people at a time. It also provides room facilities for the pilgrims who come to visit the place from far lands. The hot rocks inside the Gurudwara caves are exceptionally soothing and are sure to offer you a natural sauna feeling.

The Romance of Adventure Amidst the Himalayan Ranges!

One of the hottest honeymoon destinations for the newlyweds has been flooded with zillion of tourists across the world these days. No, I am not speaking about any of the European countries. Nor am I speaking about any adventure in our very own Goan beaches. Manali, one of the picturesque cities amidst the hills of Himachal Pradesh has turned out to be the next popular destination in India for the honeymooners after Goa. With the onset of winters, the town presents a majestic view with the high snow-claded Himalayan Mountains surrounded around it, the crystal-clear rippling water of the river Beas flowing through the city, and the snow capped pine and deodar tress standing tall by the roadside.

The city and its climate

Located at an altitude of 6,726 feet above the sea level, Manali lies near the end of the Northern region of Kullu Valley. Also known as, the "SWITZERLAND OF INDIA", the hill station is famous for its fruit laden orchards and charming wild flowers. The climate here remains moderately cool during the summer with the average temperature remaining between 14° Celsius to 20° Celsius, while during winter the temperature dips down to -7 degrees.
Although throughout the year, the hill station remains busy in welcoming tourists, yet the period between May to August remains the best to visit the place. However, those who want to enjoy the panoramic vista of the town amidst snowfall can make a tour during the months of December to February.

Adventures in Manali

Acclaimed for its breathtaking Natural beauty, the city has also turned out to be a favorite holiday choice for thrill seekers. The hill station provides opportunity for the tourist to engage in exciting adventures like: paragliding, rock climbing, trekking, skiing and heli-skiing, water sports like rafting, etc.

Sightseeing in Manali

Set amongst the magnificent peaks of Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar, the wonderful hill resort of Manali forms a home for colorful fairs and festivals along with numerous god and goddesses. The city that mainly thrives on tourism has enchanting places of tourist attraction. Some of them include: Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley or the Snow Point, Hidimba Temple, Raghunath Temple, Manikaran Gurudwara, The Great Himalayan National Park, Manu Temple, Chandretal Lake or the Beas kund, Kullu Valley, Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa Monastery, Rehalla Fall,Arjun Gufa and many more.

Getting there

Thronged by multifarious visitors every year in a huge number, this beautiful hilly destination can be easily reached by air, train or by road.
If one is residing somewhere in Northern region of the country, one can take a flight from Delhi to reach the panoramic hill station. Approx 50 kms away from Manali, Bhuntar is the nearest airport in the Kullu district, from where one has to hire a private taxi or a public bus to reach the destination.
However, if one wants to enjoy a mystic beauty of the place and its neighboring areas, then the best way to get there is by bus or by taxi. The place is well connected by Punjab, Himachal and UP roadways. Apart from this, overnight journey by A.C deluxe and Volvo buses from Delhi, Chandigarh and other parts of North India that plies regularly makes the overall journey a memorable experience.

Mughal Architecture by Shah Jahan In India:

Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his architectures in the Indian scenario bear an exquisite testimony to Mughal architectures. During his reign between (1627–1658), he built some of the most delicate architectures in Delhi and Agra.  

TAJ MAHAL:

During the reign of Shah Jahan , India got one of the most fascinating attraction for which people throngs from all over the world. It is the most splendid Moghul tomb, Taj Mahal of Agra, the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan and Arjumand Bano Begum (Mumtaz Mahal) had 14 children. While she was dying, she took promise from Shah Jahan that he will built a tomb in the memory of his wife. So the history of Taj Mahal begins its journey with the end of Mumtaz Mahal in 1632. Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles.

AGRA FORT:

 The main part of the Agra fort was built by Akbar in Red Sandstone, while Emperor Shah Jahan, erected most of the buildings inside the fortress. The fort is built alongside the Yamuna River and stretches almost 2.5 km.

Building erected by Shah Jahan includes the following:

·         Khas Mahal and Sheesh Mahal

Khas Mahal, built by Shahjahan clearly reflects the essence of later Mughal architecture. The Khas Mahal is an airy edifice; facing the specially laid Angoori Bagh. Windows closed with intricately pierced decorative stone screens present fabulous view of the riverfront. On three sides of this garden are residential quarters of women. Opposite to the Mussaman Burj and just below the Diwan-E- Khas hall is the Sheesh Mahal or the glass palace. It is believed  to have been the harem dressing room and its walls are inlaid with tiny mirrors, which are the best specimens of glass mosaic decoration in India.

KHAS MAHAL

SHEESH MAHAL

·         Musamman Burj

Musamman Burj is the most romantic, ornamental pavilion wherein lived two most beautiful and powerful Mughal queens-Nurjahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Here Shahjahan spent his last few years as a captive held by Aurangzeb. Shahjahan languished and dies looking at the Taj Mahal.

·         Diwan-I-khas

Diwan-I-khas or the Hall of Private audience is a small hall with double marble columns inlaid with pietra dura decoration. Shahjahan built the structure between 1636 and 1637 and it is where the emperor used to receive the important dignitaries.

·         Diwan-I-Aam

Diwan-I-Aam or the Hall of Public audience was again a building constructed by Shahjahan in 1628, replacing an earlier wooden structure. Here was kept the famous Peacock Throne ordered by Shahjahan. He met officials and commoners and listened to the petitioners in the Diwan-I-Aam.

 

·         Macchi Bhavan

Situiated infront of Diwan –i- khas, is the Machchi Bhawan or the Fish Chamber. It is believed that it was used to rear gold fishes for the emperor. It is believed to have marble fountains and tanks once, for the purpose.

·         Moti Masjid

Further north stands the Moti Masjid .It earned the nickname Pearl Mosque for it shined like a pearl. It is held that this mosque was constructed by Shah Jahan for his members of royal court.

·         Nagina Masjid

Located nearby Moti Masjid is the Nagina Masjid or the Gem Mosque. This beautiful structure was built for the ladies of the Royal family. A luxurious bazaar, known as Mina Bazar, was functioning down the road from where royal ladies could purchase items standing in the balcony of Nagina Masjid.

·         Mina Masjid

Shah Jehan built Mina Masjid near Diwan-i-Khas and this mosque was meant to be used by the emperor and the royal ladies. Thus, it was placed close to the palaces of the imperial women. This mosque was built, entirely of white marble.

Several of the buildings are made of pure marble with beautiful carvings. To cool off the rooms in the marble pavilions, the walls were hollow and filled with running water.

SHAHJAHANABAD:

Old Delhi was founded as Shahjahanabad by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in 1639. It remained the capital of the Mughals until the end of the Mughal dynasty. It is approximately shaped like a quarter cìrcle, with the Red Fort as the focal point. The old city was surrounded by a wall enclosing about 1,500 acres with numerous gates: Nigambodh Gate,  Kashmiri Gate, Mori Gate, Kabuli gate, Lahore gate, Ajmeri Gate, Turkman Gate, Delhi Gate, etc. Enormous market place had further divided the city. One of the most prominent among them was situated to the west of the Red Fort’s Lahore gate, presently known as Chandni Chowk.

RED FORT:

The Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, after ruling from Agra for eleven years, decided to shift to Delhi and laid the foundation stone of the Red Fort in 1638. Completed in 1648 the Fort was originally referred to as "Qila-i-Mubarak" as it was the residence of the royal family. It was the palace for Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's new capital, Shahjahanabad, the seventh Muslim city in the Delhi site. With a circumference of almost one and a half miles, the fort is an irregular octagon and has two entrances, the Lahore and Delhi Gates. The planning and aesthetics of the Red Fort represent the zenith of Mughal creativity which prevailed during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. This Fort has had many developments added on after its construction by Shahjahan.

                   

JAMA MASJID:

Jama Masjid of Delhi is the country's largest and perhaps the most magnificent mosque. It is the final architectural extravagance of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees. Built in 1656, it is an eloquent reminder of the Mughal religious fervour. It's also known as 'Masjid-i-Jahanuma' or 'Mosque commanding view of the world'. It was designed as Emperor Shahjahan's principal mosque. This monument was built by five thousand artisans. It combines the best of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture. This magnificent structure stands on the Bho Jhala, one of the two hills of the old Mughal capital city of Shahjahanabad .

Shah Jahan erected many splendid monuments not only in India, but in Lahore too. Some of these include the famous Shalimar Garden,  Jahanhir Mouselumn, Lore Fort etc.

BEAUTIFUL LADAKH.....