4. Kasol After Dark… Manikaran, Hot Springs & Another Night in Lalpari (26th Sept 2022).

#roadtrip #soloroadtrip #parvativalley #kasol #manikaran 26th Sept 2022, Monday…Day (4) Kasol-Manikaran-Kasol (14 km). Solo Road Trip to Parvati Valley…Day (4) Kasol. The night at Kasol was alive. Cafes were buzzing with music and colourful lights. The Grahan Nalla and Parvati River roared through the darkness. Volvo buses came and went late into the night. Tea shops, coffee houses and even the lone wine shop remained busy. Kasol had its own rhythm. I walked around aimlessly—through the bazaar, past the cafes, along the roaring Grahan Nalla—soaking in every bit of it. And when I had enough, I slipped quietly into Lalpari, my home on wheels, for yet another memorable night. Morning at Manikaran As usual, I was up early. A morning walk along the Grahan Nalla, a few cups of steaming tea and then a small problem surfaced—a leakage in the car. The nearest mechanic was just four kilometres away in Manikaran. The mechanic fixed the problem quickly, but the little detour turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It gave me an opportunity to explore Manikaran. I crossed the bridge over the fiercely flowing Parvati River and entered the bustling bazaar. Temples appeared one after another—the Shiva Temple, Ram Temple and finally the revered Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib. But what fascinated me most was the naturally boiling hot water bubbling out at several places. Steam rising from the hot springs, the turbulent Parvati River rushing underneath the bridge and the sacred atmosphere of the Gurudwara created a fascinating mix of nature, faith and everyday life. The hot springs are so powerful that even the langar at the Gurudwara is cooked using the naturally hot water. The Makeshift Jhulla On my way back to Kasol, another little adventure caught my attention. A makeshift, manually operated jhulla was being used by villagers to cross the river towards Choj village. I learnt that the bridge connecting the village had been washed away in floods a few months earlier. Sometimes, the most memorable moments on a road trip are not planned at all. Another Evening in Kasol Back in Kasol, the evening was once again lively. Unlike the previous evening, when it was drizzling, this evening was dry and pleasant. But there was noticeably less crowd in the cafes. It was Monday. Most weekend travellers had already left. The bus stand, however, was buzzing. At least five Volvo buses stood waiting for passengers, preparing for their late-night departures. Nearby, a little tea shop and cigarette stall were doing brisk business. I spent the evening doing what I enjoy most— Walking. Exploring. Snacking at little roadside places. Watching people come and go. And simply enjoying the freedom of having nowhere to rush to. Eventually, the lights of Kasol faded behind me. I walked back to Lalpari. Another day had quietly come to an end. Another night inside my home on wheels awaited me. And I couldn’t have asked for anything more. For more videos and travel stories pls google "Sunil Azaad".