An Overview of Himachal Pradesh district Kinnaur , Part  - I

View of Kalpa & Kinner kailash 

District Kinnaur  is a district of Himachal Pradesh  which shares it's boundaries with Lahaul Spiti , Kullu, Shimla, Utrakhand and Tibet . The area of the district is 6401 square Kilometres  it is situated in a mountainous  range of 2320 metres to 6816 metres above mean sea level .

Map of district Kinnaur 

View of Monastery at Nako district Kinnaur .

The three  Administrative areas of Kinnaur are  Kalpa , Pooh and Nichar now Bhaba Nagar .  Kinnaur has  Six Tehsils namely  :- 

1.Kalpa

2. Pooh 

3.Moorang 

4. Sangla

5.Hanrang 

6. Bhaba Nagar 

District Kinnaur has 241 Villages .

Development Blocks :- 

Kinnaur district has three Blocks namely :-

1.Kalpa 

2.Nichar 

3.Pooh

The land of Fairy tales and fantasies ha great mountain ranges of Lush green valley , Orchards , vineyards , snow capped peaks  and cold desert mountains  .

District Kinnaur has two of the world's great mountain ranges - the Zanskar and the Great Himalya.

The Kinnaur is said to be named after Kannauras , the  main community residing in the district  , who are said to be the descendants of the Kinnars of  Mahabharata . It is believed that Pandvas had spent some years of their exile in this region .

Panoramic views of Kalpa and Kinnaur Kailash in district Kinnaur Himachal Pradesh 

View of Recong Peo district Kinnaur 

The Kinnaur Recong Peo is about 212 Km from Shimla and  Kalpa 12 Km from Recong Peo . Previously Kalpa was the district headquarters of Kinnaur but now Recong Peo is the headquarters of Kinnaur . Kinnaur is our border district with Tiebet and is situated in Satluj river Valley from Khab where Satluj enters district Kinnaur .

Beautiful View of Sangla Valley district Kinnaur .

Kinnaur is connected with Hindustan Tiebet road National Highway Number 22 and NH 5 . As we have boundaries of Kinnaur with Tibet so it strategically very important .  The district Kinnaur has famous Peak Kinner kailash . The landscapes of Kinnaur is having immense panoramic beauty of nature .

Nature of Kinnaur , Himachal Pradesh 

An Overview of Himachal Pradesh district Kullu Part -XII Tourist places in district Kullu Continued

 An Overview of Himachal Pradesh district Kullu Part - XII , Tourist places in district Kullu Continued :-

Bhuntar  :- 

View of Parvati Dam reservoir , Barshaini 

Beautiful View of Bhuntar , Kullu Himachal Pradesh 

Dechen  Khoekhor Monastery 

Bhuntar is a small town just ond  the Right bank of river Beas, 11 Km from Kullu Town on the  confluence of Beas and Parvati rivers , Parvati meets Beas from left side of Beas . Parvati valley starts from here with steel slopes towards  Jari , Kasol and Manikaran. The Kullu airport is situated at Bhuntar . The Bhuntar is situated at an altitude of about 1122 metres above mean sea level. Bhuntar is gate way to Manikaran , Kasol , Chalal , Tosh and Grahan villages .

View from Bhuntar district Kullu 

Jari Village  :- 

Jari is a beautiful village on the way to Manikaran about 22 Km from Bhuntar . Jari 9 Km before Kasol and 13   Km before Manikaran on Bhuntar Manikaran road in Parvati valley . It is famous for apple Orchards . 

Grahan Villages  :-  

The village Grahan is a very beautiful village in Parvati valley near to Kasol  situated at an altitude of about 2347 metres above mean sea level .  The natural beauty of this village is attractions for tourists . It is a alcohol free village . It is at a distance of about 8 Kms from Kasol . There is no road to this village  . Only this village is reached through trek . The trek starts from Kasol .along the Grahan Nallah . The village has about 50 houses . For night stay  , home stay are available on cheaper price .

Trekkers and nature lovers prefer this village .

Tosh Village  :-  

Tosh is a very beautiful village near to Kasol situated at an altitude of about 2400 metres above mean sea level .

Panoramic landscapes of Tosh

Tosh  Village is surrounded by beautiful mountains and is accessible through trek . This village can be reached by bus from Kullu to Barshaini via  Kasol and Manikaran, then a  one hour trek .

This traditional village is now  has become a Hippie village as most of the foreigners used to visit Tosh  Village in district Kullu Himachal Pradesh .

Kheerganga  :-  

Kheerganga is also a panoramic trek   and  beautiful destination in Parvati valley at an altitude of 2960 metres above mean sea level .

Trek to Kheerganga is about 10  Km from Barshaini in Parvati valley . Up to Barshaini bus or can service is available from Kullu .

Kheerganga is also famous for its Geothermal Springs . It is said that Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati 's son Kartikey has done austerity at this place .

Shiva Parvati Temple 

Kheerganga trek

 

 Geothermal Springs at Manikaran:-

Manikaran 

A Famous tourist place and religious pilgrimage of Sanatan and Sikh culture is situated about 35 Km from Bhuntar on Bhuntar Manikaran road at an elevation of about 1760 metres above mean sea level in between Beas and Parvati rivers in Parvati valley .

Hot water springs Bath Pool 

It is believed that Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati had done austerity in this valley for 1100 years because of peace and beauty of this valley. Once when Mata Parvati was taking bath in the river at this place , the Mani of her ear ring lost . On searching by Ganas of Lord Shiva, they couldn't find it  ,then Lord Shiva opened his third eye and created Goddess Naina Devi , she told that the Mani is with Sheshnag in paitaal lok . 

Lord Shiva Temple 

On request Sheshnag returned the Mani and with his hissing the springs of hot water came out of earth. Thus a temple of Goddess Shree Naina Devi ji is also established here .

Goddess Shree Naina Devi ji Temple 

So this valley is dedicated to Mata Parvati and the name of this place named on Manik of her ear ring "Manikaran."

Gurudwara sahib at Manikaran 

Kirtan Hall Gurudwara 

It is also believed that Guru Nanak Dev Ji had also done austerity at this place and had done various miracles at this spot .Thus the Gurudwara at Manikaran is dedicated to Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Guru Gobind Singh ji had also come to this place .

View of Gurudwara at Manikaran 

Raghunath temple at Manikaran 

Raghunath temple  at Manikaran is also historic one as this temple was built by Raja Jagat Singh ji in 1650 AD  and in the year 1651 the idol of Raghunath was brought from Ayodhya  thus Raja Jagat Singh was recovered from illness after the establishing the idol of Raghunath in the temple .

Bhagwan Shri Ram Temple at Manikaran 

So Manikaran is offering warmth to the world , Indian citizen as well as foreigners used to feel the warmth of Geothermal springs here at Manikaran .

At Manikaran 

Great rush can be seen in this holy pilgrimage throughout the year .

View at Manikaran 

Hot water springs also called Geothermal springs are naturally occurring springs of hot water springs emerged due to heated ground water 

The heat produced is either due to magma with in the earth 's crust or due to the movement of fault in the crust and the waters are known to have healing properties with meneral contents .

River Parvati at Manikaran 

View at Manikaran 

Parvati valley is known for its hot water springs at Manikaran , Kheerganga and Kasol , the warmth and magic of which you can experience in Parvati valley ! Manikaran is also One of the very few places in India to have live hot springs , you can explore the blend of science .

Hot water springs emerged near Lord Shiva temple 

Here at Manikaran you can feel warmth both religions and natural with Geothermal springs .

Nature's Alarm System , Before Earthquake in Turkey and Sirya

 Nature 's Alarm System Before Earthquake in Turkey and Sirya  :- 

Photograph from Sirya 

In Turkey and Sirya,  an earthquake has ended more than 33000 lives  on  7 th. February .  It is very very painful to all human beings  . How people can the vibrations of earthquake  , very difficult for human beings .

But it has been seen many times that birds , dogs and cats behave differently . Recently one of my friends Mr. Kuldeep Thakur shared a video , shared by Mr. Anand Mahindra shooted just before the 7.8  magnitude scale earthquake in Turkey and Sirya  by a federal news agency AVIA .PRO

This video clearly shows the behaviour of birds flying in a chaotic manner , screeching , indicating that they sensed the upcoming  natural calamities .

When ever such behaviour of birds , dogs and cats is observed in any area care must be taken  and must come out of houses to be safe from earthquake .

An Overview of Himachal Pradesh district Kullu Part - XI , Tourist places in district Kullu Continued

 An Overview of Himachal Pradesh district Kullu Part - XI , Tourist places in district Kullu Continued:- 

Beautiful View of Kullu  Valley 

When we talk about Himachal Pradesh  ,we talk about wonderland , the land of Gods the land temples  . Here in district Kullu we have seen many temples of very ancient times and rich in architecture . In this article first we are taking an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva  .

Basheshwar. Mahadev Temple Bajaura in district Kullu :- 

Basheshwar Mahadev temple Bajaura in district Kullu 

This  ancient times temple about 15 Kms from Kullu and 4 Kms from Bhuntar air port is built in 9 th  century . The Bajaura Basheshwar Mahadev temple is situated on the bank of river Beas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati .

Basheshwar Mahadev temple famous for its stone carvings 

The temple houses a large Yoni Lingam idol which is representing Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati . The idols of other dirties are also established in the temple like Bhagwan Vishnu , Maa Lakshmi  Lord Ganesha . The temple is built up in Piramid style architecture and is famous for its stone carvings .

Vaishno Devi Temple  :- 

Maa Vaishno Devi Temple is also known as Mahadei Tirth and is 2 Km from Kullu Town on Kullu Manali road . The temple is Situated on the bank of river Beas .

Maa Vaishno Devi Temple Kullu 

The Vaishno Devi main temple appears like a cave is beautifully carved in side . Tourists always prefer to visit this holy temple .

Raison   Village :- 

Raison is a village in Tehsil Nagar district Kullu  famous as a peaceful camping site  for spending peaceful holidays .

Katrain Village :- 

Katrain is situated  at a distance of about 20 Km from Kullu on the way to Manali . Katrain is having panoramic landscapes and is famous for apple Orchards and Trout hatchery .

Naggar in  Kullu 

Naggar Castle Kullu 

Naggar is a Tehsil of district Kullu and is about 27 Km from Kullu on the bank of river Beas. Naggar was capital of Kullu state for over 1400 years .It was founded by Raja Vishudh Pal and has 16 th. Century castles  which now has been converted into a hotel .

Gaurishankar Temple at Naggar

Naggar has temples of Lord Vishnu , Lord Krishna and Tripura Sundari . It is also associated with Nicholas Roerich a Russian artist .

Kasol  :- 

 Views of Kasol a small village Paradise of anglers and nature lovers 

A charming site on the bank of river Parvati on Bhuntar Manikaran road  is a paradise for anglers and nature lovers .

View of Nature Park at Kasol 

 Warmth Of Kasol  :- 

View of Kasol , Parvati valley

According to the Puranas," He goes to the hills ,goes to his mother , the loving , nourishing, bounteous mother."

Beautiful Kasol we I with my son Dheeraj Verma ,  daughter in law Anita Verma , granddaughter Dhriti Verma and grandson Samar Verma reached Kasol to feel the warmth of Geothermal springs at Kasol . Ram Kumar assisted us to go to these hot water spring at Kasol . We all felt good at hot water spring and have gratitude to sh Ram Kumar Jija of my daughter in law .

Geothermal Spring at Kasol 

A hot water spring also called as Geothermal spring is a naturally occurring  spring of water that emerged due to heated ground water. 

The heat produced is either due to magma with in the earth 's crust or through the movement of fault in the crust and the waters are known to have healing properties with the high minerals content . 

View of Geothermal springs at Kasol 

Parvati valley is known for its hot- springs Manikaran , Kheer Ganaga and Kasol , the warmth and magic of which you can experience in this valley !

Kasol is one of the  very few places in India to have live hot springs . You can explore the blend of science 

The village Kasol is situated on Bhuntar Manikaran road at a distance of about 30 Km from Bhuntar in district Kullu on the left bank of Parvati river at an altitude of about 1580 metres above mean sea level in Parvati valley .

Parvati valley  and Parvati river view 

On the right bank of river Parvati here at Kasol about 200 metres from market just crossing the steel truss foot bridge and getting down the steps  you will find Geothermal springs , tourists enjoying the hot water near river bed comming out from foot hills and cool water flowing in the river . 

Lord Shiva Temple Kasol 

Larji  Dam Reservoir :- 

 126 Megawatt hydropower project Larji Dam constructed in Banjar constituency of district Kullu has resulted a beautiful lake about 3 Km long which  is being developed as tourist destination for water sports under the scheme Nayee Manjilein Nayee Rahein . Tourists now can enjoy water sports  in Larji lake like Kashmir.

The Siberian birds in winters are coming to this lake from last five to six years and is an attraction for tourists and also good for environment . Trout fishing is also a charm for tourists in this lake .