Deities throng Vashisht village for holy dip

MC Thakur

Manali, November 26

Vashisht village, about 3 km from Manali, is not only known for its hot water springs, Vashisht Rishi, Shiva and Rama temple, but also for the sanctity of the shrine where gods and goddesses of Kullu valley visit to take a holy dip in the springs.

Deities from Baragran village in decorated palanquins, accompanied by hundreds of devotees, today visited Vashisht village to take a holy dip.

The colourful procession of deities with a folk band is a sight to behold. The deities stay at Vashisht village overnight and go back the next day.

The village is all decked up with festivities in the air. If a deity is taking a dip, another has to wait for its turn. With a dip in temperature in the valley, tourists and locals are turning up in large numbers at Vashisht for a holy dip.