Vashisht Temple and Hot Springs, Manali: A Travel Guide

Approx 4000 years old Historic Vashisht Temple at Manali. It is said that Beas Kund in Manali is the origin point of the mighty Beas River. Vashisht Manali is dedicated to the great sage Vashisht.

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Very old Vashistha Kund & Temple at Manali

Vashisht Temple located few kilometers away from Manali. The beautiful small village located east of the Beas River spread the energy of positivity and is a true backpacker’s paradise. Locals and tourists love to visit this place which gives a tremendous view of nature and provide inner satisfaction deep in the soul.

We recommended Vashist village & temple in our popular post of places to visit in Manali.

The Quick Answer

You are asking	The answer
Where is Vashisht?	A village about 3 km from the centre of Manali, across the Beas, a short climb up from Vashisht Chowk on the Manali–Leh road. The temple and the hot-spring baths are at the top of the village.
What are the timings?	The temple is open 7 am to 9 pm; the baths 7 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 9 pm, every day. These are the hours Saurabh gives below, and the ones India's official tourism site (Incredible India) gives today.
Is there a fee?	No. Current guides agree the temple and the baths are free.
Can women bathe in the kund?	Yes. There are separate baths for men and women. The water is hot and sulphurous; take a towel and a change of clothes.
How old is the temple?	Tradition says about 4,000 years, and Incredible India repeats it. No record gives the date of the temple standing today, built in the Himalayan Kath Kuni way of stone and wood. Temples to Rama and Shiva stand beside it.
How do I get to Manali?	Most people come by overnight bus from Delhi or Chandigarh. The nearest airport is at Bhuntar, near Kullu, about 50 km away. From Manali, walk, or take an auto or taxi up to the village.
When should I go?	May and June, then September and October, as the "When to go" strip at the top of this page shows. July and August bring the monsoon and landslides; December to March brings snow and nights below freezing, when a hot bath is at its best and the roads are at their worst.
What else is near?	Old Manali and the Manu temple, which Saurabh describes below; the rest of Manali, from Hadimba to Solang, is in our places to visit in Manali.

Before You Go (November 2026)

• The 2025 flood. On the night of 25 and 26 August 2025 the Beas washed away long stretches of the Kullu–Manali highway, and a part of the Manali–Leh road at Vashisht Chowk, the turn up to the village. The highway reopened in parts three weeks later, with one-way traffic, and repairs have gone on through 2026. Before you drive up from Kullu, check the day's road news with the Kullu police or your hotel.
• Winter. Snow usually comes in December. Nights fall below freezing from December to February, and snow can close the roads above Manali for days.

Vashisht Temple History & Vashisht Bath Manali

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Vashistha village is extremely significant when it comes to the heritage Indian Hindu culture as one of the saptrishis rishi Vashistha stayed there for sometimes. There is a hot water spring known as Vashisht kund.

According to legend the saddened Rishi Vashisht after knowing that his children were killed by Vishwamitra tried to commit suicide, but the river refused to kill him (refer Wikipedia).

The river was therefore named as Vipasha which means ‘ freedom from bondage.’ It was later shortened to Beas River. He began meditating and vowed to start his new life. The Vashisht temple is believed to be more than 4000 years old. (2026: that is the age tradition gives, and India’s official tourism site repeats it; we found no record that dates the temple standing today, which is built in the Kath Kuni way of stone and wood.)

Linkage of the place with Lord Rama

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There is also an ancient stone temple of Lord Rama adjacent to the Vashisht temple. The place is an important Hindu Pilgrimage center. The hot spring of the village is believed to have been created by Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Ram.

The creation of the spring is associated with the belief that since Lakshman, did not want the sage Vashisht to have to walk too far for a bath; he shot an arrow into the ground, and the hot springs emerged. Vashisht offers an excellent view of the Beas River and the Old Manali.

The river valley spread below at sunset gives an excellent sight and perfect for photography.

Sage Manu Temple settled in the lap of nature

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The next destination was Manu Temple, which is situated deep in the heart of old Manali. The location of Manu Temple provides the view of the untouched beauty of nature which is inhabited by people from thousands of year. It is ironical that even the settlement of humans from a thousand years does not deteriorate the beauty of nature.

The temple is dedicated to the Indian sage Manu, who is said to be the creator of the world and the writer of Manusmriti. There is no actual evidence when the temple was constructed but in 1992 it was reconstructed. (2026: Lonely Planet gives 1991 for the rebuilding, other guides 1992.)

The charming location of the temple near the bank of Beas River which is surrounded by the old village of Manali makes it a complete pack of an attractive natural spot.

Best Stay at Vashisht Village: Recommended

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I strongly recommend Vashisht Homestay in the village itself, budget bedroom start at Rs500/- onwards with the double bed at 1200/- onwards with free wifi. (2026: these were 2016 prices, and we have not checked this homestay since; read recent reviews before you book.)

Visit Timings: Vashist Temple: 7 am to 9 pm, Vashisht sacred baths: 7 am to 1 pm, and 2 pm to 9 pm on all days. (2026: India’s official tourism site gives the same hours today.)

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NOTE-Almost all the guesthouses, hotels & restaurants close down from about November to March due to the extreme cold weather. (2026: Manali itself stays open through the winter, when the snow brings its own visitors; in Vashisht, ask your guesthouse before you go whether it is open.)

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Manali Latest Weather & Forecast

Updated- Jan-2023, it’s snowing in Vashisht Manali, as the picture shared by our reader Rajesh Giri (2026: Rajesh’s photo and the forecast that stood here did not survive our move from WordPress; the “When to go” strip at the top of this page shows every month.)

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Manali to Vashist Temple: Interactive Map to Plan Your Best Route

(2026: the map did not survive our move either. Vashisht is about 3 km from the centre of Manali: take the Manali–Leh road across the Beas and turn up at Vashisht Chowk.)

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