Kasol - Magical Experience

It’s been 6 months since my trip to kasol and all I can think is going back.

There is something magical about the relaxed air at kasol.

Its place to enjoy the chill weather, variety of food and mixture of people around the world.

The pine tree covered landscape with the gushing sound of Parvathi river and rocks at the banks makes one to spend some time soul searching.

There are plenty of cafes which serve variety of food. The Moon Dance Café is one the best near bank of the river. The narrow streets of Kasol are filled with tiny shops selling a wide range of handicraft items, earrings, semi-precious stones, multi color pajamas, woolen clothes, Shiva wallets and caps.

Photo of Kasol - Magical Experience ! 2/5 by S A N D Y — first view when you get down from bus <3

Photo of Kasol - Magical Experience ! 3/5 by S A N D Y — Market Street

Photo of Kasol - Magical Experience ! 4/5 by S A N D Y — On the way to Chalala

Photo of Kasol - Magical Experience ! 5/5 by S A N D Y — View of the Parvati Valley

DAY 2 :

Today we headed towards a famous temple

Manikaran

We took a walk from Kasol to manikaran (3 kms)

History:

Manikaran is a pilgrimage center for Hindus and Sikhs.

The Hindus believe that Manu recreated human life in Manikaran after the flood, making it a sacred area. According to legend, when the Hindu God Shiva and his consort Parvati were walking in the valley, Parvati dropped one of her earrings. The jewel was seized by Shesha, the serpent deity, who then disappeared into the earth with it. Shesha only surrendered the jewel when Shiva performed the cosmic dance, the Tandava and shot the jewel up through the water. Apparently, jewels continued to be thrown up in the waters at Manikaran until the earthquake of 1905.

According to the Sikhs, during third Udasi, the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak came to this place in 15 Asu 1574 Bikrami with his disciple Bhai Mardana. Mardana felt hungry and they had no food. Guru Nanak sent Mardana to collect food for the langar (the Community Kitchen). Many people donated atta (flour) to make Roti(bread). The one problem was that there was no fire to cook the food.Guru Nanak asked Mardana to lift a stone and he complied and a hot spring appeared. As directed by Guru Nanak, Mardana put the rolled chapatis in the spring to his despair the chapatis sank.Guru Nanak then told him to pray to God saying that if his chapatis float back then he would donate one chapati in His name. When he prayed all the chapatis started floating duly baked.Guru Nanak said that anyone who donates in the name of God, his drowned items float back.

We went inside the gurudwara and the experience was serene. This was my first time inside a gurudwara. The Langar (community kitchen) where food is served to the devotees all the time and free of cost. The Kadhi-Chawal that I had was the best I ever had in my life.

After spending our beautiful day headed back with lots of memories and calmness

Photo of Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, India by S A N D Y

Day 3

Tosh

DAY 3:

One can reach tosh by hiring Taxi from manikaran or from Barsheni as there are no direct buses available.

It was bumpy ride but the landscape was beautiful, enjoyed the scenery. Tosh is a village at the end of the Parvati Valley, its quiet place with very few eating joints and hotels.

We took a small trek to waterfalls – 2 hours approx & wandered around the streets of villages.

There are many places you can just walk to or take the beautiful kheerganga trek.