Manali
City Information
The Kullu valley has an ancient
town in its lap called Manali. Surrounded
by towering peaks at an arm length,
Manali's major asset is its proximity
to the snowline. It is a flourishing
orchard industry, a popular honeymoon
destination and trailhead for numerous
treks as well as a great countryside
ideal for adventure sport lovers. Also
popular as a hill resort destination,
Manali presents some excellent and well-equipped
accommodation choices for the tourists.
In the past decade Manali has turned
out to be one of the best hill resort
destination of India, particularly in
those resorts, which cater Indian domestic
tourists and honeymoon couples.
Manali literally means the 'Home of
Manu'. Manu is the mythological character
who is supposed to have survived when
the world was drowned in Flood. He then
came to Manali and recreated human life.
Thus, the area of Manali is sacred and
Hindus treat the temples over here as
pilgrimage.
Blessed with some of the most spectacular
and beautiful landscapes anywhere, it
is a travellers paradise -lofty snow
peaks, deep gorges, lush green valleys,
fast flowing rivers, enchanting mountain
lakes, flower bedecked meadows, beautiful
temples and monasteries steeped in time.
May it be for relaxing, sightseeing,
trekking, mountaineering, fishing, para-gliding,
skiing, ice skating, Manali offers something
for all.
The valley of gods, as the Kullu valley
has come to be known, is perhaps the
most delightful region in the western
Himalayas. The ancient Hindus regarded
it as the furthest limit of human habitation
- Kulantapitha, and its original name
finds mention in the epics, the Ramayana
and the Mahabharata as well as Vishnu
Purana. Like a slender delicate-hued
fern glistening in the morning dew,
the valley spreads out its charm on
either side of the upper reaches of
the river Beas. Running north to south,
the main river valley is only 80 km
long and 2 km at its broadest, yet a
fairly wide area is open to the visitors
to enjoy the spectacle of variegated
mountain scenery.
In the spring Kullu is at its most colourful
with pink blossoms and white flowers
while the higher slopes are aglow with
gorgeous rhododendrons. With utumn,
clear blue skies return and fields and
forests alike show wonderful tints of
crimson and ochre. By December, there
is no greenery except the majestic pines
and cedars in the forests. In winter
the hillsides are flanked in white.
The district headquarter Kullu is world
famous for "Kullu Dussera
festival "
Main
Sightseeing of Manali
Hadimba Temple :
Hadimba or Dhungiri temple in Manali
is one of the most important temples
in the region. This four-story wooden
temple is located in the middle of
a forest called the Dhungiri Van Vihar.
Vashisth Hot Sulphur Springs,
This small village near Manali is
famous for its scenic beauty. The
village has a temple dedicated to
Lord Rama and Vashisth Muni. The village
has some hot water springs, which
are said to carry medicinal properties.
It is a picturesque little place,
3-km out of Manali but on foot the
distance is a bit shorter.
Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa
: This Gompa dominates the
Tibetan area around the bottom of
the Mall in Manali. The Tibetan refugees
built the Gompa in the late 1960's.
The Gompa is covered with brightly
coloured frescoes and a mid size Buddhist
statute. It also carries a list of
the martyrs killed in occupation of
Tibet of 1987 to 1989.
Old Manali : The
old Manali area is located some 3-km
from the present day Manali. The old
Manali is covered with guesthouses,
which look ancient now, and orchards
where the livestock move at will.
Temple of Manu :
Slippery stones paths lead through
the old village houses up to the temple
of Manu. Manali is named after the
sage Manu who meditated when he came
in this area.
Tibetan Temple :
Tibetans have a base in Manali too.
There is a large modern Tibetan temple
to the South of the bus stand and
also a small handicrafts center.
Arjun Gufa : On
the left bank of the Beas, 5-km from
Manali near the village of Prini,
is the 'Arjun Gufa' or the cave of
Arjuna. In here Arjuna practiced austerities
to get Pashupata Ashtra or weapon
from Lord Indra..
Go to Top
Excursions
from Manali
Rohtang Pass : Situated
at a distance of 51 kms from Manali,
Rohtang Pass is the highest point, 4,112m,
on the Manali-Keylong road. It provides
a wide panoramic view of mountains rising
far above clouds, which is a sight truly
breath-taking. The pass affords a wide-spread
panorama of mountain scenery. In place
of the pinnacled hills, sheltered valleys
and cultivated tracts, the eye meets
a range of precipitous cliffs, huge
glaciers and piled Moraine, and deep
ravines. Almost directly opposite is
the well defined Sonepani glacier, slightly
to the left are the twin peaks of the
Geypang, jagged pyramids of rock, snow
streaked and snow crowned.
The Beas river rises near the crest
of Rohtang from a block of Mica-Schist.
The pass normally opens for traffic
after mid-June and officially closes
in November. To its left, 200 metres
higher, is the little lake of Sarkund
(Dashair) visited by a number of people,
the general belief being that a bath
in these waters effects a cure of all
bodily ailments-real or imaginary. 10
km before Rohtang is the barren-landscape
of Marhi which hums with activity during
summer and autumn months because almost
everyone stops here for refreshments.
Keylong : At a distance
of 117 kms from Manali this small village
amidst green fields of barley and buckwheat,
Keylong is the headquarters of the Lahaul
and Spiti district, surrounded with
brown hills and snowy heights. Karding
Monastery overlooks Keylong and is 3.5
km across the Chandra river while Shashur
Monastery is about 1 km.
Bijli Mahadev Temple :
The Bijli Mahadev temple temple is one
of the most striking temple is set on
a spur, and is famous for its 60 ft
high staff which periodically attracts
lightning that shatters the Shivalinga.
Each time this happens, it is pieced
together by the temple priest.
The Great Himalayan National
Park : Located in the beautiful
district of Kullu, the 620 sq. km. area
has temperate forests - some of the
virgin coniferous forests of the state.
Vast areas of alpine pasture and glaciers
cap this park. Among the animals found
in this part of the western Himalayas
are musk deer, ghoral, thar, bharal,
sewor, brown bear, leopard and snow
leopard. Bird life includes a variety
of colourful pheasants - monal, khalij,
cheer and tragopan. A trek through the
park to Rekte-Sar, the origin of the
Sainj River and camping amid alpine
pastures is a memorable experience.
Kanawar Sanctuary : This
sasnctuary located in the Parvati Valley
of the Kullu District is the habitat
of the Himalayan thar. This big goat
is often seen on high mountainous precipices.
A splendid trek is possible along the
Garahan Nalla from Kasol through dense
deodar and fir forests. The rest house
at Kasol is convernient and the Range
Officer, Wildlife, Kasol, can offer
information and assistance.
Manikaran : On the
trekking route to Pulga and Pin Parvati
pass, Manikaran is famous for its hot
springs. Thousands of people take a
dip in its hot waters. The water is
so hot that dal (pulses), rice etc.
can be boiled in it. It is also a well
known pilgrimage centre and there is
an ancient Hindu temple and a gurdwara
here. According to a legend, Manikaran
is also associated with Lord Shiva and
his divine consort, Parvati, who lost
and recovered her ear-ring here.
Naggar : On the left
bank of the Beas and about three hundred
metres above the river, Naggar is delightfully
situated on a wooded slope and commands
an extensive view, especially of the
north west of the valley. It is an excellent
place for a longer stay. Naggar was
the capital of the Kullu Rajas for about
1,400 years. There are a large number
of famous temples in and around Naggar.
Artist Nicholas Roerich's art gallery
is also worth a visit. Cars and jeeps
can easily go up to the Naggar Castle.
Malana : This small
but beautiful village is accessable
by foot from Naggar lies little ahead
off the beautiful Chandrakhani pass
lies the tiny village of Malana, famous
for the temple of Jamlu and its distinct
social and cultural life. Reputed to
be the oldest democracy in the world
in existence where all the inhabitants
of the village take part in managing
its affairs. An exciting place for trekking..
How
to reach Manali ?
By Air : The nearest
airport to Manali is that of Bhuntar,
which is 52-km from Manali.
By Train : The nearest
railhead is that of Joginder Nagar and
this narrow gauze railway station is
95-km from Kullu. The scenic beauty
of Kullu while going to Manali can best
be enjoyed on a bus or a taxi.
By Road : The road
to Manali passes through the picturesque
valley of Kullu. The motorable roads
to Manali connect the town with other
major tourist places in Himachal as
well as in the nearby states..
