Why visit Kasol ?????????????

 

KASOL

Kasol is a hamlet in the district Kullu of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated in Parvati Valley, on the banks of the Parvati River, on the way between Bhuntar and Manikaran. It is located 30 km from Bhuntar and 3.5 km from Manikaran. Kasol is the Himalayan hotspot for backpackers. and acts as a base for nearby treks to Malana and Kheerganga. It is called Mini Israel of India due to a high percentage of Israeli tourists here. It is a very beautiful place in India to visit and who loves travel wants to come to kasol at-least once in his life. You will find many foreigners and it is very popular due to Bob Marley's culture of finding peace and heaven in the mountains. Kasol has a different type of natural beauty that holds you and never lets you escape, it like black magic that holds and increases your passion and love for kasol.

Climate

Kasol has good the weather throughout the year and receives a fair amount of snowfall from late December to February. I will recommend visiting Kasol in 1st week or 2nd week of December as you will get snowfall also and snowfall will also not affect the tour. Otherwise, snow will obstruct. Climate will also moderate. Don't forget to take rainwear, because it always rains before snowfall.

Transport

There are different transport options available to reach Kasol. To reach Kasol one must first reach Bhuntar from where one has the option to use the Bus service which is available hourly and is available only between 8AM to 6PM. However, the local Taxi Service is available all the time. Bhuntar also has the nearest Kullu–Manali Airport (IATA: KUU, ICAO: VIBR). Kasol, being a tourist destination in the region, has frequent local bus service running from Manali. There is no direct flight or rail connectivity to Kasol.

In my opinion, it is always better to have your vehicle, as you can visit any place at any time. It provides time flexibility if you are alone or with family. I know it costs more and some people find it difficult. They prefer to travel on public transport but trust me it will make you suffer and very tired.

Most of the places are quite far from each other. Walking in the mountains makes fit and healthy but it will be very suffering if you're not a regular walker and you visit to take some break from life. But it is fine if you want some adventure in your life and wants to experience it. It is also fine for Solo travelers, as you can many in Kasol.

I listed some Famous places for you to visit if going to Kasol:-

1) Walking by the Parvati River

Flowing through the Parvati Valley, River Parvati is one of the best places to visit in Kasol. A stroll by the River Parvati is the most relaxing and rejuvenating experience in Kasol. This place is scenic enough to make your friends jealous. To enjoy a pleasant afternoon, stretch out on one of the smooth rocks beside the river with your feet dangling in the cold water.

2) Visit Manikaran Sahib

Manikaran is located in the Parvati Valley on river Parvati.  It is at an altitude of 1760 m and is located 4 km ahead of Kasol and about 35 km from Kullu. This small town attracts tourists visiting Manali and Kullu to its hot springs and pilgrim centers. In hot springs, pilgrims take bath before entering gurudwara. I recommend to take in these hot springs, as you cannot experience, anywhere in India. The water is so refreshing, it takes up all your tiredness. It full fills your body with energy, you will not find cold outside after bath. There are different arrangements for women, so they can also have a bath without any fear. The place is very magical as scientists are also speechless where this steam is coming out. An experimental geothermal energy plant has also been set up here.

Manikaran is a pilgrimage center for Hindus and Sikhs. 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 1905 Kangra earthquake.

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.

3) Malana: Little Greece of India

Malana is an ancient Indian village in the state of Himachal Pradesh. This solitary village in the Malana Nala, a side valley of the Parvati Valley to the north-east of Kullu Valley is isolated from the rest of the world. The peaks of Chanderkhani and Deo Tibba shadow the village. It is situated on a remote plateau by the side of the torrential Malana river, at a height of 2,652 meters (8,701 ft) above sea level.  Malana has been the subject of various documentaries, including Malana: Globalization of a Himalayan Village, and Malana, A Lost Identity. The most common route towards the village is by taxi or bus from Jhari. One-stop before Malana. Roads till the Malana Village trekking gate are developed. One of the oldest villages in the region, Malana is famous for its distinct culture and the temple of Jamlu Devta.  A tourist cannot touch them or their belongings without their permission. They wash their walls with the blood of buffalo if any tourist happens to touch it. They consider themselves to be descendants of Alexander the Great and hence the village is often referred to as ‘Little Greece of India’. Marijuana was cultivated as a legal cash crop for centuries. Malana became a destination for recreational drug tourism. Malana is famous for its “Malana Cream”, a product made from cannabis plants which grow in the Parvati valley. Malana cream is regarded as high purity hash. To make Malana Cream, the live cannabis flower is rubbed between the hands repeatedly, pulling out the resin to generate a layer of sticky hashish across the palm.

4)Trek to KheerGanga

KheerGanga (3050 meters) lies at the extreme end of Parvati valley and the last inhibited village while trekking to pin valley via Pin-Parvati pass. Kheerganga's panoramic skies and vast greenery are a much-needed delight to the trekker's eyes and especially the tired legs. It is a holy place with a hot water spring, a small temple of Lord Shiva and a bathing tank. It makes a rare combination for any trekker to bath in hot spring water when everything is covered by snow.

Routes to choose from for your Kheerganga Trek

1.     Nakthan Route – This is the most popular route, as it is the quickest. You can reach Kheerganga in about 4 hours. If you believe in the destination and not the journey – then Nakthan is perfection (however, the journey is pretty too!). Once you reach the Barshaini Bridge, you’ll take a left and start on your way up to the Nakthan Village, leading you from the left side of Parvati River. Since this is the most popular route, it is well marked and also has a tonne of tourists climbing up the hill.

2.   Kalga Route – Instead of taking a left, turn right from the Barshaini bridge and start your hike towards Kalga. This route will merge with the main (Nakthan) route halfway through the trek. ON this trail, you’ll be crossing through dense forests, hence, for first-time trekkers – you might want to consider taking a guide along on this Himalayan trek.

3.   Tosh Route – Another different path that will later merge into the Nakthan Route as well. This route is also quite mainstream, especially for people who were staying in Tosh before heading on the trek. Tosh river flows by near Tosh village which joins the Parvati river near Pulga.

5) Tosh Village

 It is located at about 2,400 meters (7,900 ft) in elevation on a hill near Kasol in the Parvati Valley, surrounded by mountains. Tosh is economical than its neighbor town Kasol. It is described as a "traditional village turned hippie colony". The architecture of wooden houses, with simple designs and bright colours, also adds a lot to the beauty of this pristine Himalayan village. The best way to reach this village is by trekking up the hill and seeing the sight of the amazing township in Kasol. Tosh has a European influence, and if you want to experience this atmosphere then it should be on your list.

I want to tell you a story when I visited Tosh, I was very tired due to climbing to reach a village. There was one group of students, all the students were dancing and I enjoying a song on speakers. they were all high, but that I released why people visit places like this. These places had some differences in charm, it includes you into them and lets you free from worries. The students were taking a feeling of place in a different manner, which was not the same for me. They respect places and let nature to do work inside them.