One of the most popular tourist destinations in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, is the Jogini Waterfalls. It is situated in the village of Vashisht, which is near the town of Manali. This amazing waterfall flows into the Beas River in Kullu Valley after plummeting from a height of 7850 feet. This location has great theological significance in addition to being well-known for its natural beauty.
The Goddess Jogini, the daughter of Lord Indra, is said to have inspired the name of this waterfall. The locals also think that this location is a Shakti Peetha. Due to the presence of several significant temples, such as the Jogini Mata Temple and the Vashisht Temple, this area attracts both tourists and devotees. For their first tonsure and other rites, the residents take their kids to the Jogini Mata Temple, which is situated at the base of the waterfall.
The Jogini Waterfalls in Himachal Pradesh are particularly intriguing because they are only accessible by foot. The view of the natural surroundings during the walk is what attracts visitors and explorers from far and wide, even though the trek to the top is just roughly 3 kilometers long. As it winds through apple orchards and pine forests, the walk to the waterfall is incredibly lovely. During the trip, the Manali valley, Beas River, and tumbling streams are reportedly breathtaking. One of the most well-liked short treks in Manali is the one to Jogini Falls.
It is thought that “Jogini,” the daughter of Lord Indra, used to bathe ritually in these waterfalls, according to traditional mythology. The waterfall bears her name as a result. At the base of the waterfall sits the Jogini Mata Temple, a temple dedicated to her. The villagers also believe that this place is a Shakti Peetha.
Legend has it that in order to calm Lord Shiva’s wrath, Lord Vishnu used his weapon to sever Goddess Sati’s body while Lord Shiva was in sorrow, carrying his wife Sati’s dead body, and wreaking devastation on Earth. These body pieces dropped in fifty-one different places. These locations are now widely adored by Hindu devotees and are referred to as Shakti Peethas or Shakti Sthals.
The journey to the Jogini Waterfalls begins at the Vashisht Temple, which honors Maharishi Vashisht, a famous Vedic sage.
Paying homage to the Vashisht Temple is the first step, even before hiking to the well-known Jogini Waterfalls. Travelers can pause for tea and snacks at cafés or restaurants along the way. There are several chances along the hike to take stunning photos of the Manali Valley, the Beas River, and the endless splendor of nature. Carrying a camera is therefore essential.
At the base of the tumbling waterfalls, a tiny pool forms. For a cool experience, visitors can swim or even take a bath in it. This is a popular place for both locals and visitors to relax and have a picnic.
This waterfall does not charge admission. It is open every day, and you can hike there at any time between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. The best time of year to visit Manali Jogini Waterfalls is during the beautiful local weather, which lasts from March to June.
The trail to the waterfalls gets muddy and slick during the rainy season, so it is best to avoid going during that time. Trekking to the waterfalls might be a strenuous undertaking because of the snowfall that falls on the charming town of Manali throughout the winter.
The renowned Mall Road in Manali is roughly 3.7 km from the Vashisht Temple, the starting point of the journey to Jogini Waterfalls. To get to the temple in fifteen minutes, visitors can take private taxis or autorickshaws. They can also decide to walk, which takes roughly forty-five minutes, to get to this shrine.