Kasol-Rasol : Himachal Pradesh

  

            Kasol is a picturesque little village in Himachal, located along the shores of the river Parvati. Kasol is a tourist destination that is quickly gaining popularity as a popular hub for trekkers, backpackers, and nature lovers, widely known as the 'Amsterdam of India'. Kasol is located 25 km from Bhuntar and next to the holy town of Manikaran, and is one of the best places in the country to sit back and relax in the snow-covered mountains, pine trees, and the gurgling flow of water.

          Kasol is renowned for its hiking trails, which include treks to Kheerganga, Yanker Pass, Sar Pass, and Pin Parbati Pass. To get a real sense of culture in this area, go on a visit to the village of Malana. Situated some kilometers away from Kasol, Malana is a remote hamlet populated by people living in self-imposed isolation. The people of Malana claim to be Aryan descendants, as a result of which they discourage contact with outsiders. The village has many scenic views, however, and is sometimes pointed to as 'Little Greece.' Kasol is populated by a large number of people from Israel, as can be seen from the plentiful food available to Israel, and from the street signs inscribed in Hebrew. Kasol has a flea market that sells a variety of items, so you can pick up trinkets, souvenirs, pendants, and even semi-precious stones to take back home for family and friends.

Parvati River :

                The relaxing Parvati river flows through the Parvati Valley of Himachal Pradesh and is an indispensable part of this amazing place. The thundering river originates from the Man Talai Glacier, which runs north through the Parvati Valley and ultimately flows into the Beas River near Kulu. While it's not exactly a destination to stay in, it's certainly a top attraction in Kasol. The sight of the shimmering river meandering across the daunting snow-covered mountains offers the spirit an unexplainable calm. Since the flow is too risky to make any kind of adventure, visitors can simply sit on the rocks of the Parvati River and be mesmerized at least for some time by the rumbling sounds.

Kheerganga Trek :

        

            Kheer Ganga (3100 mtrs) exists at the outer side of the Parvati valley and the last hamlet of the village while trekking to the Pin-Parvati pass. The spectacular views of the skies of Kheerganga and the large greenery are a much-needed delight for the eyes of the trekker and particularly the tired legs. It is a sacred place with a hot spring of water, a small shrine of Lord Shiva, and a bathing tub. It makes a rare mix for any trekker to swim in hot spring water when everything is shrouded with snow.

Manikaran Gurudwara :            

            Nestled at a distance of 5 km from Kasol in the Parvati Valley along the banks of the Parvati River, Manikaran is known as a popular pilgrimage site for both Sikhs and Hindus. Here the number of temples,  Manikaran Gurudwara, and hot springs form the religious pattern of the place and attract visitors.

            There are three hot springs where one can take a swim, one inside the Gurudwara itself and the other two in the guesthouses. There are separate areas for men and women in the bathing area. The water in these springs produces sulfur capable of healing diseases. Once again, the hot springs have moral and philosophical values attached to each.

Rasol :

            The wondrous village of Rasol is nestled in the Himalayan Valley of Parvati. Located near Kasol, about 10,500 feet above sea level, Rasol is an enchanting place where you can enjoy stunning views of the snow-peaked Himalayas. Near to the popular village of Malana and Kasol, Rasol is an easy but exhausting trek from Kasol (Chalal is the starting point for the trek, about three-four hrs) extending between two and four hours. Owing to the after-effects of tourism seen in common destinations such as Kasol, Manali and Tosh, villagers are marginally wary of outsiders in their village, taking great steps to avoid physical interaction and secure their own space.

            The food here is a little pricey due to the isolation of the village from the outside world, which raises the cost of buying food in Rasol. But the food is worth spending the price you like. Also, sharing a meal with the villagers at their homes will bring even more amazement to your Rasol trip.

Best Time to Visit :

            Oct to Jun is the perfect time to visit Kasol since the weather is still good. While Kasol has good weather all year round, the best time to go trekking in the vicinity is from Mar to May. This time, the weather is good with a temperature of 15-22 degrees Celsius. However, if you want to walk through cold nights and cool evening air, winters, that is. It's Oct to Feb is a perfect time.

How to Reach :

            Though it is at a high altitude, Kasol is well linked to the rest of India only by well-connected highways. Daily bus services run to and from the city of Kasol; busses run by both private and government operators. There is no direct flight or rail link to Kasol. 35 km away is Bhuntar Airport near Kulu, the closest airport that links Kasol to the rest of India or Pathankot Airport. The closest railway station to Kasol is Joginder Nagar, 150 km away from Kasol, in terms of a narrow gauge. For the Broad gauge line, Pathankot is the closest railway station.