Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib H.P

Introduction

Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanak Dev Manikaran Sahib is one of the holiest places of pilgrimage of the Sikhs and is located on the banks of the Parvati River at an altitude of 1760 m in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The history of this Gurudwara is mentioned in Twarikh Guru Khalsa (a book written about Sikh history and the biography of the Gurus upto the time when they lost Punjab to the British) and Bhai Bala Janamsakhi(a book written by Bhai Bala a Sikh devotee about all the important aspects of Guru Nanak’s life).

History

Guru Nanak is said to have come to Manikaran with Bhai Mardana in 1574 after preaching at many places enroute. The Janamsakhi or writings of Bhai Mardana has recorded many miracles of Guru Nanak where it is said that when there was no fire to cook the food Guru Nanak lifted a rock and a hot spring appeared and the food could be cooked. A saint named Baba Narain Hari in recent times wished to build a small Gurudwara on the sacred site where Guru Nanak had stayed but it would always be destroyed by local villagers till finally invoking the blessings of Guru Nanak he was able to build one. He is said to have carried construction material and cement on his back to construct the shrine.

Temple Overview

A sturdy bridge connects the Gurudwara which is on the other side of the river. After passing the bridge one enters the main building. The whole building has multiple floors. From the main entrance one enters the ground floor or basement. This has a washroom and the famous Sulphur Springs. Many devotees bathe in its hot waters. The first floor has the langar hall and it is said that even the langar food is cooked in the hot springs. The last floor has a spacious hall which houses the sacred Guru Granth Sahib. Gurbanis are sung here and devotees sit here to pray and meditate.

There is a natural hot spring in Manikaran where devotees buy small pocket size bags of rice and cereal and dip them in the hot springs and they come out cooked which are taken back as Prasad. A direct line from it has been diverted to the Gurudwara which rejuvenates all those who take a bath in it and is even said to cure diseases.

How To Reach

Air

It is linked by air to Chandigarh and Delhi. The airport at Bhuntar(or the Kullu Manali airport) is 24 km from the town.

Rail

Manikaran has no railway station. The nearest option is Summer Hill, Shimla which is 106 kms away. There are also railway stations at Pathankot at 285 km and Chandigarh at 258 km.

Road

It is well connected by road. It is linked to Delhi at 524 km and Chandigarh at 258 kms. Regular bus and coach services connect Manikaran to other major cities.

Accommodation

The temple complex has three halls and forty rooms for the devotees to stay. There are also many hotels and resorts close to the Gurudwara.

Conclusion

The Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib is a famous holy place for the Sikhs as it commemorates the visit of Guru Nanak and it is also stated that Guru Gobind Singh too stayed in this holy place.  The Divine vibrations of this place hallowed by the sacred vibrations of the Gurus increases the faith and devotion of the devotees who strive to develop compassion and peace as preached by the Gurus and progress on the spiritual path to enlightenment and bliss.