Kasol is a village in district Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, northern India. It is situated in Parvati Valley, on the banks of the Parvati River, on the way between Bhuntar to Manikaran. It is located 31.2 km from Bhuntar and 5 kms before Manikaran.
Elevation: 5,184′
Area: 89 acres
Weather: 63°F (17°C), Wind NW at 2 mph (3 km/h), 78% Humidity
Local time: Sunday 8:13 PM
Area code: 01907
Top 5 Things to Do in Kasol
Beautiful places are often hidden away in the most easily accessible of places. To those of us with less money than enthusiasm, Himachal is like a gift from God. To escape the stresses of a mundane life, Parvati Valley in Himachal is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Starting at the confluence of River Parvati and River Beas, the valley is famous for its pretty as a picture coniferous forests and crystal clear mountain streams. Nestled in these sylvan hills is the charming village of Kasol. Resplendent in natural beauty, Kasol is fast emerging as a hub for backpackers, trekkers and nature lovers. It is yet to be ruined by commercialization. However, it is also one of those places you want to strike off your bucket list before you have children as it is home to a deep-rooted local culture of pot and hippie hues. Even if you are not into either of those, there are many other things to do in Kasol.
1. Walk by the Parvati River
Nothing like a nice stroll down a cackling, churning and frothing Parvati river on one side and looming pine trees on the other. Clean white sand and smooth boulders separate the lush green grass from the tumbling blue-green water of the river. Every bend in the river opens up to an exciting vista of pine trees, cliffs and waterfalls. All this is framed with snow capped peaks piercing the happy blue sky at the horizon. A great site to take those pictures you could show off on your wall. The river has a steep gradient and a greater mass of water, so it rages down in noisy torrents. It is inadvisable to cross the fierce river on foot. There is a rickety old wooden bridge for that. For a supremely pleasant leisure afternoon stretch out on one of the smooth boulders beside the river with your feet in the cold water. It could be an eternity in an hour or an hour stretching into a lifetime.
2. Visit Manikaran Sahib
Manikaran is just about 6 km from Kasol so you can take a hike or hitch a ride, whatever suits you. Manikaran Sahib is a huge Gurudwara tucked between imposing hills and a fierce Beas. The high point of the Manikaran Sahib is the hot spring located within the premise of the Gurudwara. The devout take a dip here to wash their sins and illnesses away as the spring water is believed to have healing properties. The ‘Langar’ is delicious and wholesome. It is a fact that the rice is cooked in the hot water from the spring. You have to take off your footwear and cover your head in respect before entering the holy Gurudwara. It would be wise to carry a convenient piece of clothing to cover your head. Inside the shrine, you can see pictures of Hindu Gods, alongside Jesus and Sikh Guru’s. The messages couldn’t have been clearer; everyone is welcome and all faiths are respected. I find this bit especially touching about Manikaran Sahib.
3. Take a long walk to Malana or Tosh
Malana is famous for its distinct culture and the temple of Jamlu Devta. The people of this quiet hamlet live in self-imposed isolation. They believe themselves to be the descendants of Aryans and that the purity of their race would be compromised by interaction with outsiders. A visitor in Malana cannot touch their wall, to the extent that they wash their walls with the blood of a buffalo if an outsider happens to touch it. Shocking, right? Not to them! They have their own government and do not consider themselves within the jurisdiction of the Indian government. Most say it is a cover for a raging industry of cannabis. Having said that, Malana is a village of splendid beauty. It is often referred to as ‘Little Greece’, as the locals believe to have descended from the lineage of Alexander the Great.
Tosh is more European than Israeli and with a constant whiff of cannabis in its air. Trekking uphill through the forest is a shorter route to reach Tosh. Cabs are also available to take you there for a minimal charge of 200 Rupees. Accommodation and food are cheap and available in surplus. You will find plenty of cafes with great Israeli and European food and ideal ambience to relax. You would be hard pressed to find a typical Indian restaurant though. The village is located on a hillside overlooking the river and a waterfall. It is ideal to undertake long walks to discover the pretty delights of its mountain scenery.
4. Trek to Kheer Ganga
Trek to Kheer Ganga is a nine km,four-hour steep climb on narrow and tricky trails. As far as treks go, this is probably one of the easiest to do from Kasol. Those not in the prime of their health still might find the hike to Kheer Ganga rather more than challenging. But when you finally reach the lush green meadow, you will find the geothermal spring as the answer to all your prayers. Just the thing you need when everything around you is chilling. Lie in the hot bath for a wonderfully soothing experience. It is tranquility united with breathtaking beauty. It is better to say the night at Kheer Ganga as to and fro trekking can be taxing and might hamper your enjoyment a little. The nearby hamlets provide plenty of cheap accommodation and excellent food.
5. Try Israeli Food
Apart from being a hippie paradise, Kasol is also a haven for great food, albeit little known. Tucked amidst wilderness, in a remote corner of the world, Kasol is flocked by young Israelis. Hence the name Mini Israel. The influence is clearly visible in the Hebrew inscribed sign boards and abundantly available Israeli food. When in Kasol don’t hunt for fancy. Street side cafes serve excellent food. Eat outdoors if you can. There is no dirt threatening to get into your food in this pristine valley. A view of the immense hills and dark green forests just makes your eating experience that much better. Do try the ‘Turquoise Kasol’ and ‘The Evergreen’ for a taste of Israeli food.
5. Shopping
Stroll to the local flea market to pick souvenirs for family and friends. The flea market of Kasol sells items like semi precious stones, pendants and other trinkets. Bob Marley T-shirts abound alongside that of Lord Shiva, incidentally both pot smoking icons. Winter clothing like pullovers, caps and coats can be bought at astoundingly low prices.
Traveling to Kasol from Delhi could take anything between 8-14 hours depending upon your mode of transportation. If you take a bus from Delhi, you will be dropped at Bhuntar from where you need to take a local bus or book a cab to Kasol. A well laid out travel plan includes things to do and places to be on the list. Apart from Kasol, Himachal provides other great hideaways to unwind in the lap of nature.
