HOT-WATER
SPRINGS OF INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT –PART-II.
We saw the geological reasons for the existence of HOT WATER SPRINGS and the tell tale clock of Earth History due to the formation of Earth's crust and continental shelf and their drift. The movement of tectonic plates play a major role in Shaping livable area on Earth.
Now, Let us see some of HOT WATER WATER SPRINGS IN INDIAN SUBCONTINENT,
Indian state wise:
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
There are two hot springs that exist In Arunachal Pradesh.
The first one is in the Dirang region of Kameng district of Arunachal on the edge of the river Dirang-chu.
The second is known as
the KITPI hot spring located in
the Greng Khar village in the Kitpi region of Tawang District of Arunachal
and is on the banks of the river Jong.
You can have Hot spring bath as well as the cold river bath.
ASSAM
The Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary as the name implies is due
to the fact that a hot water springs exist. Apart from humans , it is frequented by elephants. Now a huge wall has
been created which denies the elephants a chance of playing and drinking from the spring.
Another hot spring is located near Kopoli River is now buried in the hydel project created
there.
Recently obe more hot
spring that has been discovered is in the Ultapani forest range in the Samukha
rivulet.
BIHAR
One of the famous Hot springs in Bihar is, RAJGIR HOT SPRINGS located at the foot
hills of the Vaibhav Hill. People believe that Lord Buddha used to take
bath in these waters. The source of this
spring is said to be from back of the Saptarni Caves in the hills. Makar
Sankranti, attracts many devotees to bathe in the waters. Other hot water
springs that are found are in Rameshwar Kund, Rishikund & Bhimbandh
Wildlife Sanctuary.
CHATISGARH
Sarguja district of
Chatisgarh houses one known as Tapta Pani , which is believed
to have medicinal properties, just like any other hot springs. One other
hot spring is located near the Amarkantak Temple by the name of Dhuni Pani.
GUJARATH
In the midst of the famous
Gir Forest, the last abode of ASIATIC LIONS, the BEAUTIFUL TULSI SHYAM
TEMPLE and the TULSI SHYAM HOT WATER
SPRINGS present a great opportunity for tourism in Gujarat state of India. TULSI SHYAM ,poses with beautiful green hill
, with caves showing Buddhist relics. The temple too is beautiful. Here are some views of Tulsi Shyam, a protected monument, with its Hot water sprngs and the view of the hills and its greenery.
The Unai hot springs near Vansda too is popular with the tourists and locals.
You also find near Godhra city the,
Tuva-Timba hot springs.
HIMACHAL PRADESH
Himachal’s famous Vashisht
Temple in Manali houses a hot water spring in which devotees take a holy dip.
Manikaran too has a hot spring and this too is of religious significance. It is
believed that after a devastating event, Manu created human life here again and
hence devotees come here to offer their prayers. Yet another place is Tattapani
which is in a valley near Shimla. Khir Ganga is in the Parvati Valley and
devotees come here to take a holy dip while admiring the imposing peaks
surrounding the hot water spring. Many hot water springs are found in the
Kangra region too.
JHARKHAND
Jharkhand state is said to have many hot water springs. A
few important hot springs in this state are: Surajkund, Sidpur, Numbil, Tapat,
Raneshwar, Tharia Pani & Talaha Hot Spring. Supposedly it is said that
Jharkand has more than 50 hot water springs.
Surajkund hot spring is claimed to be the hottest spring in India. Surajkund hot spring has a
surface temperature of 87 °C (189 °F) and an average subsurface
temperature of 165 °C (329 °F). According to recent assessment, India
has a large potential of geothermal ENERGY, which can be gainfully utilized for
power generation, Jharkhand possesses a good share of these. Of the total recorded
sites numbering 340 in India , around 60 sites are in Jharkhand. Surajkund is
among the most prospective sites. Other prospective sites in Jharkhand are:
Tantolaya / Tantlol, in Santhal Paragana division, and Thatha / Konraha and
Jarom in Palamu district.There are five kunds or springs namely Surya Kund, Lakshman Kund, Brahm Kund, Ram Kund and Sita Kund. These are located in one place with water varying from very hot to cool. A Durga temple has been constructed in more recent years.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR
About twenty hot water springs have been reported from J&K, The most famous being the Panamik Hot Water Spring, Chamuthang & Puga in Ladakh. Tattapani in Kalakot & Gurdashnag too has hot water springs.
An interesting spectacle in Ladakh is represented by hot springs and geysers roaring and throwing steaming hot water up to a height of 150 m and projecting fantastic rainbow colours. These fountains of water represent phenomenon in winter when the boiling water comes down in the shape of ice blocks with the impact of chilly winds and form mounds next to the geysers.
Tatta Pani in Padder Tehsil, in the KARGIL region, is a famous helth resort which abounds in hot springs.The main source of hot spring at Tatta Pani is a pond wherein boiling hot water gushes out.It is very hot in the pond where it is difficult for a peson to touch it.There are other hot springs as well at Tatta Pani which range from very hot to luke warm water.In Marwa Tehsil hot spring is located near village Renai or Anjar. It is situated at aplendid place where people go from all over for a hot bath. Another hot spring is located on the right bank of Chandra Bhaga opposite of Padyarna.These hot springs have some peculiarities. People having rheumatic pains get relief by taking bath in the hot springs.
KARNATAKA
The only known thermal spring in the SOUTHERN INDIA is in PUTTUR. The Bendru Teertha is like all
hot springs, the waters are known to cure certain skin ailments.
MADHYA PRADESH
The place called Chavalpani is near Pachmarhi in the Mahadeo
hill range. Dhuni Pani is a hot spring surrounded by a thick jungle. Tatapani
is in the Surguja region. Others include Anhoni, Bemani, Sipari Anhonidhona
& Salbandi.
MAHARASHTRA
The Vajreshwari hot springs located in the Bhivandi taluka
of district Thane in Maharashtra State, India. Vajreshwari is known for its hot
springs, the temple of Goddess Vajreshwari and the ashrams of Swami Muktananda
and Swami Nityanand. There are around 21 hot water springs. VAJRA is DIAMOND ,
THUNDER BOLT. The GODDESS is named after that. There are 21 hot water springs
and for a whole month, her statue is bathed in the hot spring water.
The Tural hot
water springs located at Tural village in the Ratanagiri District of
Maharashtra State, India. which is located 10 km north of Sangmeshwar, between
Tural and Chiplun, on the banks of a tributary joining the Shastri river.
Cement tanks are constructed around the hot springs
The Unapdev hot water springs is located at a distance of 6 kms from Adavad
village in Shahada taluka of Nandurbar District in Maharashtra State, India.
The word 'Unap' means hot water and in Khandesh's Ahirani language 'Vuna Dev'
stands for the almighty that generated this fountain.
MEGHALAYA
The hot spring in Jakrem is situated 64km from Shillong.
Tourists and locals alike come here to bathe in these waters to cure their
ailments. Another place is Umngi which has two natural hot water springs. This
too is fast gaining in popularity. A place called Resubelpara, near
Williamnagar has a hot spring.
ODISHA
The hot water springs in Atri attract locals who come to
cure themselves. There is a Mahadev temple nearby where devotees worship and
then bathe. Other hot springs are in Deulajhari (originating from a Shivling),
Taptapani & Tarabalo.
RAJASTHAN
Two hot springs are known ; In Alwar there is the Talvriksh
hot spring & Naraini is located near Jaipur.
SIKKIM
There are three well known hot springs in Sikkim; the
Yumthang Hot Spring, the Reshi Hot Spring, and the Ralang Hot Spring, Borang,
Yumey- Samdong and Taram-Chu; some of
which have a religious significance. Surrounded by extreme cold, it is a
pleasure taking a hot water dip in these places.
TRPURA
A region called Unkoti which is yet to be explored, is of
religious significance and abounds in natural beauty. There are numerous
streams that snake through this region. It is here that a hot spring is found,
which during certain religious occasions devotees come from far and wide to
Unkoti and as a part of their rituals touch the waters of this spring.
WEST BENGAL
Bakreswar is where devotees flock due to a Shivling being
present.
The word Bakreshwar (VAKRESHWAR- வக்றேஷ்வர் ) comes from the name of Lord Shiva
worshipped in the locality. Bakra means bent or curved. Ishwar
means God. Mythologically it is said that in Satya Yuga during the marriage
ceremony of Lakshmi
and Narayan,
Astabakra Muni (then known as Subrata Muni) was insulted by Indra. The muni was
so enraged that he developed 8 cripples in his body (Ashtabakra Muni means a
sage with 8 curved cripples, probably kyphoscoliotic). Ashtabakra Muni was
blessed by lord Shiva here after many years of Tapashya (meditation).
This place is also famous as one of the 51 Shakti Pithas where there is a
temple dedicated to Adi Shakti. This is a major pilgrimage spot for Hindus.
There are many hot springs here; supposedly nine of them. It
is one of the Shakti Peethas in India. Another spring is near the border of
Jharkand called the Tantloi spring.
Bakreshwar is
also a place of geological interest with many hot springs.
There are ten hot springs here. They are :
- Paphara ganga.
- Baitarini ganga.
- Khar kunda : The water in this spring is of 66 degrees Celsius.
- Bhairav kunda : The water in this spring is of 65 degrees Celsius.
- Agni kunda : Agni means fire. The water in this spring is at 80 degrees Celsius. It is also rich in many minerals of sodium, potassium, calcium, silicates, chlorides, bicarbonates and sulphates which are said to have medicinal properties. It might also contain traces of radioactive elements.
- Dudh kunda : Dudh means milk. The water of this spring attains a dull white hue during early morning probably due to ozone concentration. The water in this spring is at 66 degrees Celsius.
- Surya kunda : Surya means sun.The water in this spring is of 61 degrees Celsius.
- Shwet ganga.
- Brahma kunda.
- Amrita kunda.
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