Situated at a height of 3,500 m, Kheerganga is located in the depths of Parvati Valley in Himachal Pradesh. According to legend, Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva, spent countless years meditating at this place. During the trek from Kasol to Kheerganga, you have the unique opportunity to enjoy a hot spring bath amidst a snowy and cold environment.
Additionally, the trekker’s eyes are treated to breathtaking sights of mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, and lush oak and deodar trees. The trail also reveals captivating landmarks including the Rudra Nag Waterfall and Shiv Temple.
A Serene Visit to Kheerganga
Trekking to the magical Parvati Valley still seems like a dream. It was a place which I wished would remain a secret as I couldn’t stop myself imagining about those majestic valleys, mountain goats, green lush mountains and peaceful oak forests.
I embarked on my trip to Kheerganga by taking a taxi from Paharganj in Delhi to Kasol, accompanied by my younger sister. After enduring a tiring 12-hour journey spanning 550 km, we finally arrived in Kasol. While Kasol is a popular destination for young people, we opted to venture towards Tosh, a neighboring village.
After enjoying Aaloo parathas at Sasi Restaurant, we continued our journey. The path lacked pavement, guiding us through verdant terrain until we arrived at the picturesque village of Tosh.
On the first day, we wanted to take rest as much as possible. In the evening we visited local bazaars, enjoyed local delicacies and coffee in a nearby Amsterdam’s coffee shop. We played badminton with the local girls, gave them chocolates and clicked several pictures with them. At Tosh, villagers sit together after a long day of work and smoke chillums.
The following day, we started our exciting Kheerganga trek from Barshaini, a place surrounded by vibrant green trees. Barshaini is also where the rivers Parvati and Tosh meet. We arrived at the base camp at 10 am and had a delightful breakfast at Prem Cafe. We then continued our trek through the breathtaking scenery, taking in the stunning sights of nature. Along the way, we crossed several wooden bridges, encountered waterfalls, and passed by small villages.
We both took some incredible photos with our DSLR camera. After a moderate trek of two hours, we reached Rudra Nag and took a break to appreciate the beauty of nature. This stunning waterfall, shaped like a serpent, is a popular tourist attraction in the Parvati Valley. While there, we met a local resident who informed us about other villages in the area such as Kalga, Pulga, and Tulga. According to the local, thousands of years ago, a powerful demon named Tadkasura defeated the Devas. The Devas sought guidance from Brahma, who advised them to worship Mahadevi. Mahadevi then revealed that she would soon reincarnate and marry Lord Shiva, and their child would defeat the demon.
Afterwards, we continued ascending for a duration of 3 hours. We relied on the markings left on trees as our guide, as the path was quite challenging to climb. My sister repeatedly inquired about the distance we needed to cover in a day, asking the same question at least five times. Unexpectedly, just before she could ask again, we stumbled upon a sign that read “Welcome to Kheerganga.”
The green meadow of Kheerganga was right in front of us. There was nothing to wait for, we kept our bags in the tents and took a refreshing dip in the hot springs. It simply washed away the weariness of the trip. This pool was divided into sections one for men and the other for women.
Afterwards, we traveled to Kartikeya Cave and worshiped Lord Kartikeya. The incredible weather, breathtaking views of towering mountains, lush forests, welcoming residents, and the healing waters of the hot springs made our trip worthwhile. We stayed overnight at our campsite in Kheerganga.
The following day, we were greeted by a beautiful sight of the sunrise when we woke up. Once again, we enjoyed a relaxing bath in the heavenly hot water pool before making our way back to Kasol using the same path we took to reach Kheerganga. This trek was full of mystery, excitement, and thrill for me.
Best Time to Visit
One can visit Kheerganga from Kasol from March to June or October to November. This place experiences soothing climate throughout the year. The weather remains pleasant and in summers, the temperature varies from 15 – 22 degrees Celsius while in winters, it varies from 3 to 10 degrees Celsius.
Must Carry Essentials
- Sunglasses and Sunscreen
- Trekking shoes and trekking pole
- Camera and torch
- Mosquito repellent
- Warm clothes and rain coat
- First aid kit
In the backdrop of the mystery hidden in the majestic Parvati Valley in Himachal Pradesh, it would be really exciting to unravel these untold tales on your own. Moreover, the beautiful views of the meadows and dense oak forests make Kasol-Kheerganga trek a must-do for every avid trekker.
