Not many places in Himachal Pradesh and the whole of India have natural hot-water springs. In Himachal, Manikaran, Vashisht, Khirganga and Tattapani are a few natural warm-water spring spots, most of which stretch out by the banks of the rivers Beas and Sutlej.
Read: Kol Dam threatening to engulf Tattapani hot springs by April 2013
Located on the banks of the Sutlej, Tattapani is at a distance of 51 kms from the Shimla City.
“Tattapani” (warm water) is named so because of the natural hot-water springs alongside the Sutlej here. Laying about 665 meters above the sea levels, this place is a small station on the Shimla-Mandi highway. The natural springs here have Sulphur water having matchless medicinal properties.
Visiting Tattapani – Best Time and How to Reach
Though you can be here any time of the year, a visit to Tattapani in the months of January and February has something special to it. This is the time for the auspicious dip in which thousands of people including locals and all domestic and international tourists take holy baths.
Visitors keep coming till the April end until the spring water mingles with the rising water levels in June and July. The hot water springs, however, reappear by November and December.
Buses and taxis are available for Tattapani almost at any point of time from Shimla. For those reaching by air, Jubbarhatti is the nearest airport at a distance of around 75 kms from the place. Shimla is the nearest railway station on Shimla-Kalka Railways.
Things to Do in Tattapani
At Tattapani, you can go for a number of adventurous activities including river rafting, Trekking and swimming. Sutlej basin is one of the most popular centers of river rafting in Himachal. Plus there are various beautiful places for sight-seeing and spending some time at. If you want to stay for days and cherish lots of memories, there are good hotels like Hotel Hot Springs.
So when in Tattapani, you can try:
Rafting in Sutlej Basin
Sutlej basin lies just below Narkanda and is around 35 kms far away from Shimla. Best time to visit here is the months of May and June when river rafting is the sport in demand. Rafting takes place in two stretches –
Grade II rapids and Grade IV rapids.
The first stretch falls between Chabba and Tattapani and is nearly a 14-kilometer course. In total, it is a one and a half hour run. The second stretch covers a distance of about 36 kms from Pandowa to Tattapani.
Trekking and Camping
You can make Dev Badeogi Peak and Shali Peak your destinations if you are ready to make your trekking and camping experience a unique and unforgettable one. Dev Badeogi temple at the top of the peak is one of the most ancient temples in the entire region.
And if you are able to conquer the Shali Tibba, one of the highest peaks in Shimla, you can witness the ancient Maa Shali temple on the hilltop that is dedicated to Bhagwati Mata. The dense forest of the Shali Hill is always an ideal location for camping.
Swimming
Swimming will always be the most memorable part of your visit to Tattapani. The environment is perfect for body surfing and your body’s contact with cold water gives you the real feel. You’ll find many local lads exercising in the mighty waters of the great Sutlej near many roadside spots like Tattapani, Jaishi, Bharara and Lunsu.
Picnic at Adventure Park
The recently opened adventure park in Tattapani is the perfect place for a family picnic gathering. The place is calm and offers a gorgeous view of the river blow. Also, here you can enjoy many adrenaline-pumping activities such as commando net, flying fox and rope bridge and burma bridge.
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