Munish Sood
Tattapani
While icy winds swept across the Sutlej valley, thousands of devotees gathered at the revered hot water springs of Tattapani on Makar Sankranti, turning the riverside town into a centre of spiritual fervour and devotion. From the early hours of the morning, pilgrims lined up to take a holy dip in the naturally heated sulphur springs, undeterred by the harsh winter chill.
Situated about 56 kilometres from Shimla on the banks of the Sutlej River, Tattapani witnessed a steady stream of visitors from 4 a.m. onwards. The traditional Shahi Snan began before sunrise, with devotees stepping into the steaming pools that are believed to carry both religious significance and therapeutic value.
Locally, the name Tattapani means “heated water”, a reflection of the warm springs that continue to flow even during peak winter. Faith holds that a bath here brings spiritual blessings and relief from skin-related ailments. After bathing, many devotees also performed Tuladan rituals to seek peace, prosperity and relief from planetary afflictions. State Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi is expected to attend the ceremonial observances.
A Tradition That Has Endured for Nearly a Century
A major attraction during the festival is the distribution of Khichdi prasad, a tradition that has continued uninterrupted for 97 years. This year, nearly three quintals of Khichdi are being served to visiting pilgrims under the stewardship of the Sood family.
According to Mohit Sood of Shimla, the custom was started by his forefather Bihari Lal and has since been carried forward by successive generations. The Tattapani Khichdi distribution is internationally recognised and had entered the Guinness Book of World Records in 2020, when 4.5 quintals of Khichdi were prepared in a massive vessel brought from Yamunanagar, Haryana.
A Site Rooted in Ancient Legend
The spiritual importance of Tattapani is believed to trace back to the Treta Yuga. Local legends associate the site with sage Jamadagni and Lord Parshuram, who are said to have meditated in the surrounding caves. For centuries, pilgrims have visited the location to seek divine blessings at this revered confluence of faith and nature.
A Place Where History and Science Meet
In contemporary history, the town received national attention when India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, visited Tattapani in September 1952 and inaugurated a bathing pond for pilgrims. Though the original pond was later submerged following the construction of the Kol Dam, its inauguration plaque has been preserved as a heritage symbol by social worker Prem Raina.
From a scientific perspective, Tattapani is equally remarkable. The geothermal springs contain a high concentration of sulphur, making the water beneficial for treating skin disorders. After the original spring was submerged in 2013 due to the Kol Dam, the Geological Department carried out drilling along the riverbank to revive the hot water source and constructed permanent bathing pools for devotees.
Even in the heart of winter, warm vapour rising from the springs offers a striking contrast to the cold mountain air — making Tattapani a rare destination where devotion, history and natural science come together in a unique setting.
