Kheerganga Hot Springs

Kheerganga Hot Springs is a natural geothermal spring located at approximately 2,960 meters in the upper Parvati Valley of Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh. Accessible only by a 12-kilometer trek from Barshaini village, the sulfur-rich waters feed bathing pools adjacent to a Shiva temple. The site holds religious significance in both Hindu and Sikh traditions. As of 2024, overnight camping is banned, and visits are restricted to daytime hours with mandatory arrival before 10 AM and departure by 2 PM.

Visitors can expect a strenuous 4-to-6-hour uphill trek through forests and villages to reach the alpine meadow where the hot springs are located. At the summit, there are separate gender-segregated bathing enclosures within a temple compound for soaking in warm sulfuric water. Commercial facilities like cafes and campsites have been removed due to environmental regulations. The area offers panoramic mountain views but has no mobile network, electricity, or permanent accommodation. Visitors must complete their soak and descend within the designated daytime window.

In Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati is believed to have cooked kheer (rice pudding) using the hot spring's water while visiting her son Kartikeya, giving the site its name and milky appearance. In Sikh tradition, Guru Nanak Dev Ji revealed the spring during his Udasi to cook food for his disciple Bhai Mardana without fire.

The site is considered sacred in both Hinduism and Sikhism. Bathing in the springs is believed to wash away sins and cure gastric ailments. The water is often collected by pilgrims as holy water to take home.