Kheerganga is a beautiful and serene place in the Parvati Valley. It is one of the most popular treks in India. The serenity and natural beauty of the place is something that has to be seen to be believed.
Kheerganga is a unique Himalayan trek that rewards you with natural hot water springs on reaching the summit. The one-of-a-kind experience of relaxing in the stunning views of snow-capped peaks will stay with you forever.
Along the sparkling Parvati river or savouring Israeli food at colourful cafes, everything here is a little more unique. Kheerganga is the perfect place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and connect with nature.
The small temple of Lord Shiva is also a nice touch. The trek to Kheerganga starts from Barshaini, a small village situated at a distance of 20 km from Kasol.
Kheerganga is also known for its hot springs which are believed to have medicinal properties. So, after a tiring day of trekking, you can relax your sore muscles in the hot springs and rejuvenate yourself. The pool is split into two sections – one for the men and one for the women.
It’s said that the water from the spring has miraculous healing properties, People believe that drinking the water from the spring cures all kinds of gastric diseases and that taking a bath in it washes away all your sins.
The trekking route passes through dense forests of deodar and pine, gushing waterfalls and meadows blanketed with wildflowers. The views are simply breathtaking!
The Kheerganga trek is definitely worth the effort. Not only is the scenery breathtaking, but you can also drink from the waterfalls and enjoy the fresh, sweet, and delicate flavour of the water. It’s full of oxygen and naturally cold and digestible.
All in all, the Kheerganga trek is an amazing experience that should not be missed!
Kasol
9 A.M
There are two different legends that explain the origin of Kheerganga – one says that Lord Shiva meditated here for thousands of years and another says Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, meditated here.
The sacred spring is said to have been created when Lord Shiva’s son, Kartikeya, meditated here and the natural spring gushed forth after Shiva struck the ground with his Trishul on Parvati’s request as she was concerned that her child would go hungry.
This is an ancient spring that was once known as the kheer (an Indian sweet dish made of milk and rice) in Satyuga (Golden Age). However, during Kalyuga (Iron Age), it was turned into water by Shiva on Parshuram’s insistence. Today, it is a popular destination for trekkers and nature lovers. Whatever it is, Kheerganga is undoubtedly a marvel: water as white as milk, cascading in all of its majesties, and streams gushing into the Parvati Valley.
Kheerganga is a sacred place for Hindus and has been mentioned in many ancient texts. It is believed that Lord Shiva meditated here for thousands of years and that the natural spring emerged when Shiva struck the ground with His Trishul.
Whatever the truth may be, Kheerganga is a truly magical place, with water as white as milk flowing in all its glory and streams gushing into the Parvati valley.
Here’s a list of things you should carry for the Kheerganga trek:
Clothing
Accessories
Toiletries
Medicines
Miscellaneous
Make sure to pack light and carry only the essentials. Happy trekking!
The trek to Kheerganga and camping at Kasol are best done between April and June and September to October when the weather is pleasant.
During summer: the day temperature is between 10-25 degrees while the night temperature is between 5-10 degrees.
During post-monsoon season: the day temperature is between 3-10 degrees while the night temperature goes down to zero.
However, one must avoid the monsoon season completely, as it becomes muddy and slippery which can be extremely perilous for a trek. The monsoon season is also prone to a number of landslides, thereby leading to road blockages. Most of the roads become inaccessible and therefore it is restricted to trek during this time frame.
The temperature from November to February goes sub-zero and is mostly unfavourable for treks. The trail will not be accessible if it experiences severe snowfall.
Kheerganga and Kasol are beautiful places and many tourists visit them during summers to enjoy the parties and music festivals. However, the trek to Kheerganga remains open even during harsh weather conditions, making it a perfect destination for tourists who love outdoor activities.
