Vashishta village is located on the left bank of Beas River about 2 miles to the north of Manali town and on the Manali-Keylong main road. It is believed to be the place where Vashishta Muni, the Guru of the Pandava brothers lived and had his hermitage. The village has two temples. In the first one which is more recent Sri Ramchandra is the presiding deity. The second temple much more ancient is that of Vashishta Muni after whom this village is named. This is a timber-bonded stone temple and the site was the hermitage of the Muni according to legend.
Legend of Vasishta Village
Once upon a time, Sri Ramchandra deputed his younger brother Lakshmana, to this village with a prayer to their Guru Vashishta, to make it convenient to visit Ayodhya for the performance of Asvamedha Yajnya by Lord Rama. Lakshmana prostrated before the Guru and gave the brother`s message. The Muni was happy that Sri Ramchandra was organizing Asvamedha Yagna and promised to accompany Lakshmana for the purpose. As Lakshmana was in fatigue, the Rajguru asked Lakshmana to strike a shaft deep into the ground nearby. Lakshmana did so and as a result hot water gushed out of the ground. Lakshmana took bath in the hot spring. It is believed the same hot springs still continue.
At present there are three water springs in the village. The top-most has very hot water, almost at the boiling point. It is used by the inhabitants for cleaning and boiling of warm clothes, rice etc. In the second one, the temperature is a little lower yet too hot for a bath. The third one has comparatively more temperate water and more popular in use by the villagers.
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