Tourism

Perfect holiday in Manali

In the northern part of the state of Himachal Pradesh, Manali is an ideal destination for spending holidays. It has every thing for a tourist. Myth, culture and adventure make a heady mix for the tourist in the proximity of ever present and dominating sight of the snow line. Reaching there is also convenient. 

Manali is an important hill station of northern India and is the destination of thousands of tourists every year. Its cool atmosphere provides a perfect haven for the ones afflicted by the hot Indian summers. Manali is at northern end of the Kullu valley, 280 km north of the state capital Shimla and 108 km from Mandi.

Manali is perched at an altitude of 2050 meters above sea level and is spread along the banks of the river Beas. Surrounded by towering peaks at an arm length, Manali's major asset is its proximity to the snowline. Manali is circled by beautiful glades of deodars and flowering horse chestnuts.  It is one of the most popular honeymoon destination and trailhead for numerous treks as well as a great countryside ideal for adventure sport lovers. In the Summer Manali is packed with Pahari-speaking Kullus, Lahaulias, Nepali labourers, foreign and Indian tourists.

Besides offering quite a few places for sightseeing, Manali  is also famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking. In brief, Manali -is an ideal place for the ones in search of both adventure and comfort.

Manali Attractions-

Solang Valley: Solang Valley is located at a distance of 14 km from Manali.  In a picturesque setting this has good ski sloped and picnic spots. The winter skiing festival is organized in Solang Valley. Training in skiing is imparted at this place.

Hidimba Temple: Also known as Hidimba temple, The Dhoongri temple (1553A.D) is dedicated to goddess Hidimba, the wife of Bhim. Built in typical indigenous style it has a four-tier pagoda shaped roof. Build by Maharaja Bahadur Singh, the 27m high Pagoda temple has fine wood carvings of animals and plants. Inside the temple is the small back image of the Devi. The imprinted foot prints on a black rock are believed to be the foot prints of the goddess. The temple has intricate carvings of dancers and characters from various Hindu stories. Horns of bulls and other animals decorate the walls. It is a very popular picnic spot for Indian tourists. 

Temple of Manu : 3 km from the Main Bazar in Old Manali, lays the Temple of Manu Maharishi. It is believed that this is the only temple of Manu Rishi in India, and it is here Manu meditated after he arrived in the area. 

Nehru Kund: This clear cold water spring is said to have its origin from the Bhrigu Lake. The spring is around 6 km from the town on the Manali-Key long road. It became famous because the former Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru always drank water from it during his stay in Manali.

Arjun Gufa: Around 5 km from Manali is Arjun Gufa, standing on the banks of Beas River close to the village Prini. This is supposed to be the same place where Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers, meditated to get the possession of the powerful 'Pashupati Astra' from Indra.

Rahala Waterfalls: The sight of the waterfall is absolutely fantastic. Lying on the way to the Rohtang Pass, around 16 km from Manali, it also makes up for a good picnic spot.

Kothi: Kothi is a delight for all those who love to relax amidst natural beauty. The small village has been a shooting ground for a number of movies. Kothi is around 12 km from the town of Manali.

Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa: Built by Tibetan refugees in the late 1960's The Gompa is covered with brightly coloured frescoes and a mid size Buddhist statute. The Gompa, is open from 6am to 7pm. 

Buddhist Monasteries: There are three new and colourful Tibetan monasteries at Manali. This is a centre of a small carpet making industry.  Two of these Monasteries are located in the main down-town of Manali and one Monastery in Aleo. Aleo is located on the Left Bank of River Beas in Manali.

Mountaineering Institute:  Located 3 km from the Left Bank of River Beas. This institute also conducts other adventurous sports activities like high altitude trekking, minor mountaineering, and rock-climbing, skiing, and high altitude rescue and relief courses. Tourists can visit an interesting showroom of Mountaineering Institute. It is a popular base for trekking and mountaineering in summer and skiing in winter.

Rohtang Pass: Rohtang Pass an adventure tourist site located at an altitude of 13,050 feet above sea level on the Manali-Keylong road, 51-km from Manali town. It provides a wide panoramic view of mountains rising far above clouds, which is a sight truly breath-taking. The pass is open for just four months in the year from June to October when the snow melts.  Close by is a small lake called Dassaur Lake. Beas Kund, the source of river Beas, is also nearby.

Shopping: Shopping can really be a delight in Manali if you love to bargain. Items which you can pick up from the shops here include handicrafts, carpets, Chinese electronic goods, Chinese clothes and shoes, Himachali jewelleries and Kullu shawls. For those looking for something more, there are Tibetan curios such as prayer wheels, amulets, dorjees or thunderbolts, masks, musical instruments, jewellery and thangkas. Fresh jams, pickles, yellow chilli and wild asparagus can also be bought from Manali.

Getting there: By Air: The nearest airport to Manali is Bhunter at 50 km. distance.

By Rail: The convenient railheads are Chandigarh 320 km., Jogindernagar and Shimla 260 km. approx.

By Road: Almost each and every part of the state is linked by roads. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation is running its buses covering the whole state.