Himachal Pradesh has been endowned with a with a number of hot springs by nature. Most
of these are located in the Satluj and Beas valleys. Generally there are three types of water
springs observed in Himachal Pradesh. They are ordinary springs, mineral springs and
thermal water springs. An ordinary water spring can be defined as temporary or permanent
passing underground water to the surface. Mineral water spring has dissolved minerals;
whereas the thermal water spring has the distinctive high temperature water. Hot water
springs have become quite popular in Himachal Pradesh for their medicinal properties. All
springs have one common feature i.e. there is natural fluctuation in the quantity of water
which is attributed mainly due to climatic conditions in the area.
It is 51 kms from Shimla and 29 kms from Naldera, a famous tourist resort is located in
district Mandi. This is located on the right bank of the Satluj at an altitude of 656 mts. This
natural Sulphur spring is invigorating and has curative power for various kinds of bodily and
imaginative ailments. The water level of the spring rises up with the rise in water level of the
river. The place Tattapani is also famous for the attractive costumes of the people. Now a
substantial part of this spring has submerged in the Kol dam project.
Mani Karan
There are a great number of springs at this place in a distance of 1.3 km along the bank of
the river Parbati from the old bridge to Brahmaganga in the Parbati valley of Kullu district.
Manikaran is 45 kms from Kullu. The water gushes up with pressure and its temperature is
well above boiling point. There is no Sulphur or iron in the water, but is said to be radio-
active. Thousands of people take a dip in its hot waters. The water is so hot that pulses (dal),
rise, chapattis, vegetables etc. can be boiled and cooked in it.
Kasol
It is 1 km further up stream Mani Karan and 32 kms from Bhuntar, where the ‘first airport of
Himachal Pradesh’ is situated. The temperature of the water here is much lower than that
of Mani Karan. Kasol hot water spring is located opposite to ‘Nikhthan village’. It is 42 kms
from Kullu and situated on the bank of Parbati river.
Khirganga
It is 26 kms from Kullu and 10 kms from Pulga. It is also famous for hot water springs. The
water here too is not that much hot as it is at Mani Karan.
Vashisht
3 kms from Manali, is located on the left bank of the river Beas, but well above the river.
The hot water springs emerge through grantic gnessies which, in this part of the Himalaya,
cover a very large area. The place Vashisht is also famous for the temples of ‘Vashisht Rishi’
and ‘Lord around the world. The village lies 3 km from Manali on the left bank of the Beas,
at the foot of laterite and conglomerate rock hill covered with deodar and pines. The water
‘Kunds’ are in the centre of the village. The temperature of the water in the ‘kund’ is around
111 0 F but the temperature of the water at the mouth of the spring is 23 0 F.
Jeori
There are also hot water springs at Jeori in Kinnaur district, situated on the right bank of
Unu Nallah, beyond Rampur-Bushahr on Hindustan-Tibet Road. Besides the above
mentioned hot water springs there are also few well known water falls and Kund (Springs) in
Himachal Pradesh. They are Rahla Water falls near near Manali in Kullu district; Dhanchho
water falls, near Bharmaur in Chamba district, Kalika Kund at Man in Chamba district,
Chadwick falls near Summer Hill in Shimla district and Bhagsunag water falls near
Macleodganj in district Kangra. In Kangra valley there are a good number of hot water
springs containing a good quantity of salt and iodine. Two springs, one at Kopra (near
Nadaun) and other at Jawalamukhi on the bank of river Beas were discovered on 10 th Dec.
1854. There is also a spring at Lunani. The Salol spring in the Kangra valley, was discovered
by the then chief medical officer of Kangra, captain A. Columan. In the plum valley there is a
spring near Baijnath.