Seeing is believing - hot springs of Manali
Hot water springs of Manali - - When I first heard about them, I thought - no, I can't believe it till I see it. In several spots in and around Manali in Himachal Pradesh, there are hot water springs notably at and near the temple for Sage Vasisht, and at Manikaran that is located about 70 km from Manali.
These are actually sulphur springs that are the result of Himalayan plate tectonic activity.
The sprouts near the temple for Sage Vasisht - nice hot water to wash clothes by hand - nil power consumption of the eco-unfriendly kind, and exellent exercise for the arms!
(There are separated bathing areas within the temple premises, where cameras are forbidden)
In Manikaran, the sprouts that supply public baths
Views from inside the Shiva temple in Manikaran, and the public bath near the Manikaran Gurdwara
After seeing them though - I am bemused. In my school history and geography lessons, I have been taught about the 'hot springs of New Zealand' and 'lumbering in Canada' but none of our social studies books ever seem to have written about similar spots in my own country. Perhaps the education received by the author of the social sciences textbook was also rich with other world details, and the delights of one's own country was best discovered by oneself...
And I will agree that our local administration can do a lot more for the maintenance of those spots that have probably the richest socio-scientific-cultural heritage associated with them.
Visit for more leisurely world tour here
More posts on Manali
Interesting local items
Yak's hair
Manali snow in February
These are actually sulphur springs that are the result of Himalayan plate tectonic activity.
The sprouts near the temple for Sage Vasisht - nice hot water to wash clothes by hand - nil power consumption of the eco-unfriendly kind, and exellent exercise for the arms!(There are separated bathing areas within the temple premises, where cameras are forbidden)
In Manikaran, the sprouts that supply public baths
Views from inside the Shiva temple in Manikaran, and the public bath near the Manikaran Gurdwara
After seeing them though - I am bemused. In my school history and geography lessons, I have been taught about the 'hot springs of New Zealand' and 'lumbering in Canada' but none of our social studies books ever seem to have written about similar spots in my own country. Perhaps the education received by the author of the social sciences textbook was also rich with other world details, and the delights of one's own country was best discovered by oneself...And I will agree that our local administration can do a lot more for the maintenance of those spots that have probably the richest socio-scientific-cultural heritage associated with them.
Visit for more leisurely world tour here
More posts on Manali
Interesting local items
Yak's hair
Manali snow in February
Interesting read...Nice to know...Thank you...
ReplyDeleteHow interesting that you knew of such places but other countries but now your own. I think often we explore areas not at home as well, when others come to our homes to explore!
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting look at the hot springs in your country and I agree that it's odd for textbooks not to include the local ones.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed reading your post and seeing your photos! Very interesting. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHot springs are fascinating phenomena, aren't they? Thanks for sharing this one.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! There's so much to discover in India; can't wait for my next visit :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your part of the world.
An interesting post with beautiful pictures with the rising steam.
ReplyDeleteSwarna: Thanks for sharing your neat look at the hot springs.
ReplyDeletePretty cool!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing!
Cheers, Klaus
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThese are amazing and yes seeing really is believing. Great post just so odd.
ReplyDeleteOh how I so love hot springs.
ReplyDeleteSeems like in the US social studies we learned more about home than around the world.
Great captures. Love the statuary and all that hot steam.
Thanks for the look into your world.
Very interesting to learn of hot springs in India. And you documented it so well with your photos.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Guy
Regina In Pictures
Very informative. Did not know abot the existence of such a place with hot springs at all.
ReplyDeleteSadly , most of us do not know anything about many things in our own country.
Is it a reflection on the kind of education we receive, or on the kind of information dished out by the media.
This reminded me of the time I spent in these pools when I had gone for a trek in this area with my wife. The trek was organized by YHAI and was called Sarr Pass trek. Thank you for the post.
ReplyDelete:)
ReplyDeleteindeed!
Great pics and info! We have some of those around NZ, too.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing when we find the hidden treasures in our midst? I love that! Wouldn't mind a long bath in that warm water either! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog today and leaving a comment!
Greetings from Niger,
Esther
Fascinating. I think sometimes it's very easy to be fascinated by the 'exotic' attractions in other countries and overlook things close by that so familiar they are taken for granted.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting. You have taught me and shown me quite a lot today. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting and informative. Perhaps the writer of your schoolbooks was European? I was raised in Indonesia, but I know more of the Netherlands than of Indonesia. I also learnt, that in Iceland there are many hot water springs. They are always where there are also volcanoes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Thanks, all
ReplyDelete@thepurplejournal - welcome back anytime!
@Raji - let's rewrite our history!
@Reader Wil - not European, but educated by European-written records, most likely.
Good point. If the authors of your textbooks were educated in the West, it's quite possible that their teachers weren't aware of some of the natural wonders in your own country, particularly those in more remote areas.
ReplyDeleteThis is why travelogues have such limited value. They miss so much!
Fascinating, sespecially as you didn't even know! They look very hot!
ReplyDeleteHi Swarna :)
ReplyDeleteVery interesting information along with excellent photos.
You seem to be traveling a lot all over the country and acquiring fascinating information about the Incredible India and passing it on to us.
As regards the text books talking about springs in other countries and not our own, it reflects the lethargy of our educators and the people who write these books. They will never bother to revise the text book material for several years. Perhaps you can write to the minister in charge of education. You will be doing a great service to the youngsters of this country.
Perhaps, your school was following Dudely Stamp which is an old English geography book written by a foreigner. He must have died several decades back and the schools in their great wisdom still follow it. As the saying goes:THIS HAPPENS ONLY IN INDIA.
Many thanks for sharing this useful information.
Have a wonderful day :)
Yes, our Geography text books don't cover so much of information and that is why the students are much in awe of the 'foreign' countries.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Swarna!
Whether it is in the books or not...a hell of place to visit and chill out...
ReplyDeleteWas awed seeing and learning about hot springs. Thanks for the wonderful pictures.
ReplyDeleteIf such info about our country are not available in our Geography books, wish atleast the teachers in schools give them as assignments to students - as homework.
We parents who sincerely 'do-such-given-homework' will atleast get an opportunity to learn.
Yes.. we need not go anywhere but only see India to have a rich experience..
ReplyDeleteThanks Swarna for this piece of info which even my Geography teacher and books missed!