Hot springs are produced when geo-thermally heated groundwater reaches the earth’s surface. People often think of hot springs as a source of relaxation. But along with soothing your body, hot springs offer several health benefits. The silica and sulfur-rich water can have a healing effect on your skin, and the maintained temperature of 38-degree celsius relaxes your muscles and improves your circulation. India is the land of numerous natural hot water springs. The top are listed below.
1. Manikaran Sahib
It is considered the most sacred hot spring and is a major attraction for several pilgrimage. These hot springs are known to contain traces of metals such as Sulphur and Uranium, which have healing properties. Pilgrims take a dip into these hot springs a get a respite from the chilling cold that grips the Manikaran Valley. As a tourist, you can try a fun experiment to test the usefulness of the hot spring waters. Buy a muslin potli of rice from the nearby markets and dip it in the spring. You will watch the rice being cooked right in front of your eyes. This property of the spring is utilized by the Gurudwara management to cook food for devotees that visit the place to consume langar or prasad. The shopkeepers of the nearby bazaars use the water of the hot springs situated within the Gurudwara through pipes.
2. Panamik, Ladakh
If you love exploring hot water springs, you will like Panamik. Located about 150 kilometers from Leh, in close proximity to Nubra Valley, it is a small sleepy village situated at an altitude of 10,442 feet above sea level. Panamik is also the final frontier village of India close to the Indo-Tibetan border. The hot spring water in Panamik contains high amounts of sulfur, and is believed to possess a lot of medicinal properties. A lot of tourists, and locals, take a dip in the water, despite its being quite hot, as it is said to cure skin diseases & rheumatism. The Panamik village can be reached via the Khardung La pass and consequently this pass can be used only during the summers. You can hire a rented cab from Leh and other major places in Ladakh.
3. Kheerganga, Himachal Pradesh
Kheerganga ( Kheer Ganga) in Parvati valley of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh offers a mystical journey into woods and is one of gifted abode for Natural Sulphur Hot water springs. The valley offers beautiful view of Parvati River and the Glacier of Lahaul Spiti. The valley echoes of mystical power of nature and has lot to offer to the travelers. Parvati Valley is home to lush greenery, majestic waterfalls, flora and fauna that will bewilder you, and a trekking trail through the forest, will eventually lead you to Kheerganga hot water springs. The valley has lot to offer to the travellers and the trek has many beautiful spots enroute like the Rudra Nag Temple, Shiv Temple and several interesting rock formations. Therefore, after completing this long and tiring trek, you can rejuvenate by taking a dip in the hot water springs amidst the Himalayas. The interesting thing about the fresh hot water dip is when you take a dip, you realise the water is really warm despite the cold mountains surrounding it. At times, it is quite intriguing to decipher how mystical nature actually is.
4. Yumthang, Sikkim
Yumnthang Valley in Sikkim is popularly knows as the Valley of Flowers. The Yumthang Valley or Sikkim Valley of Flowers sanctuary, is a nature sanctuary with river, hot springs, yaks and grazing pasture on rolling meadows surrounded by the Himalayan mountains in the North Sikkim district of Sikkim state in India. The abundant natural beauty only makes the visit to the hot spring here more worthwhile. This hot spring is located only a short distance away from the Yumthang village. There are two huts with two pools that are set up for the convenience of the visitors. The hot water here is said to be rich in sulphurated hydrogen. High in sulphur content, the waters are believed to have great medicinal properties with the average temperature of the water in these hot springs close to 50c.
5. Tapovan, Uttarakhand
An important site studied to gain knowledge about geothermal energy, the Tapovan Hot Springs The place is a must-visit should you be intrigued by the idea of seeing steaming water through cracks in rocks. Locals believe that the water and the soil here are supposed to have medicinal properties and even consume it in various forms. Owing to its extremely hot temperature it’s safe to not touch the water! An important site studied to gain knowledge about geothermal energy, the Tapovan Hot Springs The place is a must-visit should you be intrigued by the idea of seeing steaming water through cracks in rocks. Locals believe that the water and the soil here are supposed to have medicinal properties and even consume it in various forms. Owing to its extremely hot temperature it’s safe to not touch the water!
6. Dhuni Pani, Madhya Pradesh
Hot springs in mountains is not an uncommon phenomenon but in a forest? This little-known natural jewel is hidden in the dense forests of Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh. However, like most other hot springs, this is located alongside an old temple. Dhuni Pani has a great spiritual significance. In the earlier times, people here used to believe that taking a dip in the warm waters would cure one of fatal diseases. It must be noted that Dhuni Pani is not easily accessible and one has to undertake an arduous trek into the forest. But there is nothing better than having a pool of hot water after a long trek, is there?
