Manikaran Gurudwara

Manikaran Gurudwara, Manali

Popularly known as Manikaran Gurudwara, Sri Guru Nank Dev Ji Gurudwara is one of the most popular religious sites near Manali. This Gurudwara is quite popular amid Sikh as well as Hindu devotees. A legend finds its mention in the 'Twarikh Guru Khalsa or Bhai Bala Janam Sakhi by Giani Gian Singh ji. It is said that Guru Nanak ji, along with this disciple Bhai Mardana, arrived at Jwalamukhi temple, after visiting Kalanaur, Gurdaspur, Dasuya, Triloknath, Palampur and Kangra. Later. Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana visited Mandi, Chamba, Kullu and finally Bijli Mahadev temple.

Sikh Legend

After preaching at all these places, both of them reached Manikaran in 1574. Bhai Mardana felt hungry but they has no food. Guru Nanj ji sent him to collect food for preparing langar (community kitchen). Some people donated pulses while the other donated flour for making rotis (Indian bread). Though now they had raw material but there for no fire to cook it.

Guru Nanak asked Bhai Mardana to lift the stone from the place where he is sitting. Mardana did as was told. As the stone was lifted, a hot spring spurted out. Guru Nank ji asked him to tie the pulses in a cloth and throw it in the spring. Then he asked him to roll out chappatis and put it into the spring. Mardana followed his Gurus guidelines but he became sad when all the food sank. Guru Nanak asked Mardana to pray from God that if the chappatis would float back, he will be donating them. He prayed and magically the rotis came up, completely baked.

Guru Nank Dev Ji declared that anyone who will prepare food for donating in the name of God, his lost and gone items will come back to him. Even today, the hot springs are present and food is prepared in these hot springs. Round the clock, free langar sewa at Manikarana goes on.

This visit Of Guru Nanak Dev ji was predicted by Maharishi Ved Vyas in verse 33 to 44 on page 28, of Bhavishya Puran. The Gurudwara was also visited by Guru Gobind Singh Ji with his Panj Pyaras. Devotees, today, can take a dip in the separate hot springs for bathing. It is said that these waters have medicinal properties.

According to a legend, when Lord Shiva and his better half Parvati were walking in the valley, Parvati dropped one of her earrings. The jewel was seized by Shesha-Nag, the serpent deity, who then disappeared into the earth with it. Shesha-Nag only surrendered the jewel when Shiva performed the cosmic dance, the “Tandava” and shot the jewel up through the water. Apparently, it is said that jewels continued to be thrown up in the waters at Manikaran until the earthquake of 1905.

Hindu Legend

It is said that one day Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were taking a walk and arrived at this place. Both of them were mesmerized by the lush surroundings and the snow-clad peaks and decided to spend some time here. It happened that Goddess lost her mani (gem) here in a water stream. She was very sad and asked the Lord to retrieve her mani. Lord asked his attendant to find the mani but were not able to do so. Lord lost his cool and opened his third eye in anger. This led to disturbance in the region and the placid stream started boiling.

Other Gods appealed Shesh nag, the Serpent God to calm Lord Shiva. Snake God hissed, raised the flow of the water, which resulted in emergence of various precious stones that the Goddess had lost. The Lord and the Goddess were now happy.

Manikaran, the name of the place is kept on this legend. The hot water is known to be auspicious. Rice, pulses, and chickpeas are put in a linen-bag and cooked by dipping in this boiling water. This is then served as langar.

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