The Manikaran Gurudwara or Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurudwara is commemorated to the visit of Guru Nanak Dev to this place. It is mentioned in the Bhai Bala Janam Sakhi or the ‘Twarikh Guru Khalsa’ by Giani Gian Singh. It has been mentioned that accompanied by his disciple Bhai Mardana, the Guru reached Jwalamukhi temple after visiting Kalanaur, Gurdaspur, Dasuya, Triloknath, Palampur and Kangra. The Guru then proceeded towards Mandi and after visiting Chamba and Kulu, he came to Bijli Mahadev. After preaching at all these places Guru Nanak Dev came to Manikaran.
As per Bhai Bala Janamsakhi (Page 387), Guru Nanak Dev Ji came to Manikaran for thewelfare and wellbeing of the people of this region, around the year 1574 of the Vikrami Calender. Bhai Bala writes that when Guru Nanak Dev ji arrived at manikaran, Bhai Mardana with the permission of Guru Nanak Dev Ji collected flour and pulses from the local people for langar. Guru Nanak Dev Ji asked Bhai Mardana to lift a stone from the spot where he was sitting. When the stone was removed a pool of boiling hot water fed by a hot water spring emerged. Guru Nanak Dev Ji told Bhai Mardana to tie the pulses in a cloth and to knead and roll the flour in the form of prasad and throw everything into the hot water pool.
When Bhai Mardana did so everything sank and disappeared. Bhai mardana, with a despondent look on his face turned to Guru Nanak Dev Ji for guidance. Guru Nanak Dev Ji asked Bhai Mardana to pray to the almighty that if the lost food was recovered he would donate one prasada in the name of the almighty. When Bhai Mardana prayed thus, miraculously, the food which had disappeared resurfaced fully cooked. Guru Nanak Dev Ji explained that just as in the case of the lost food, any person who thus prays to the lord, recovers all he has lost. Even today the pool exists and is used to make for the free langar (free community kitchen) at the Gurudwara Guru Nanak Dev Ji Manikaran.
The visit of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is also predicted by Maharishi Ved Vyas on page 28 verse 33-44 of the Bhavishya Puran.
Guru Gobind Singh also visited this place with his Panj Pyaras.
