Manali

Fast Facts
Location : 40 kms from Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.
Attractions : Hadimba Temple, Tibetan Monastery, Manali Club House, Vashisth Hot Water Springs, Mountaineering Institute etc.
Best Time To Visit : November to March.

Introducing Manali
Considered as a wonder for a visitor, Manali is a calm and tranquil hill town, situated 40 kms north of the popular Kullu Valley. Set at an altitude of 1928 m, above the sea level, Manali is an excellent destination for both common tourists as well as the die-hard adventure enthusiasts.

Once known as “Dana Agha”, Manali was an old village, the signs of that period is even today present across the town. Manali derives its name from Manu Rishi, who lived here and wrote the first constitution of India called “Manu Samriti”. In olden days, the present town of Manali was the transaction point between the traders of Hoshiarpur and Kangra and also the traders of Yarkand, Smarkand, Tash Kand, Ladakh, Zanskar and Western Tibet.

Manali is blessed with several gifts like a beautiful landscape, dense thick pine and deodar forests, ice-capped peaks, steep cliffs, rolling valleys, adventure and mystery and lush meadows of wild flowers and fragrant fruit orchard in full bloom. Besides, the Beas river with clear water meanders through the town, making Manali truly a paradise on earth for any traveller.

So, plan a trip to Manali, reach and unfurl the un-spoilt natural beauty of this enchanting place and make your vacation a lifetime experience.
How to Reach
By Air : Kullu airport is the nearest airport from Manali. Indian Airlines and Jagson Airlines operate daily flights to and from Delhi to Kullu. Flights usually take 1.5 hrs to reach Kullu from Delhi. During monsoon, the flight services remain cancelled most of the time due to bad weather.

By Train : From Manali, nearest railheads are Jogindernagar, Pathankot, Shimla, Chandigarh and Kaka. You have to take the road journey from these railway stations to reach Manali.

By Bus : Good motorable roads connect Manali with important places of the country. Frequent bus services are available for Manali from Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Haridwar, Shimla, Dharamsala and Chamba/Dalhousie. You can opt from travelling either in a deluxe bus or other ordinary buses. Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corp. (HRTC) and several private agencies operate deluxe buses for Manali from various parts of the state or neighbouring states.

Places Where You Can Stay
Plenty of accommodation options are available in Manali that range from five-star luxury hotels to cheap hotels. Hotels are located within the walking distance from the Manali bus terminal.

5 Star Hotels : Span Resorts.

4 Star Hotels : Timber Trail, Vacred Manali Resorts, Hotel Manali Ashok, Piccadily Hotel, Ambassador Resort, Sagar Resort, Snowcreast Manor and Holiday Inn Manali.

3 Star Hotels : Shingar Regency, The Manali Inn, Banon Resorts, Kanishka Hotel, Hotel Chandramukhi, Ram Regency Honeymoon Inn, The Confier Hotel, Glacier Resorts, Manali Resorts, Out Town Hotel, Hotel Regent Centre Point, Deluxe Luxury Cottages, D’Chalet, Manali Heights and Hotel Snow Princess.
Tourist Attractions in Manali
Hadimba Temple : One of Manali’s prime attractions, Hadimba Temple or Dhungri Temple has historic as well as archaeological significance. Undertake a walk from the Manali Tourist office to 2 km north-west of Dhungri hill where Hadimba Temple stands under cover of Deodar forests. You can also reach this temple by cars or taxis that ply along the Bipasha and bring you at the temple gate.

Built by Maharaja Bahadur Singh in 1553, the temple is dedicated to goddess Hadimba, the wife of Bhim of Mahabharat fame. The 27 metre high temple is made of wood and has four-tiered pagoda type roof and the well-decorated front gate which comprises the images of animals, gods and goddesses, legendary figures and symbols. Every year, in the month of May a large festival is organized here.

Tibetan Monastery : At Model Town, the Tibetan Monastery is another major attraction hoisting the prayer flag. The Tibetan Monastery has a good collection of Tibetan paintings as well as Tibetian handicrafts ready for sale. In addition to this, there are two more monasteries in Manali one in the town and one at Aleo on the left bank of river Beas.

Gadhan Takechokling Gumfa : Close to Tibetan Monastery, Gadhan Takechokling Gumfa is another tourist spot which was constructed in 1969. The Lakhang or the shrine hall of the monastery was built by the contributions of local people. The Gadhan Takechokling Gumfa has the idol of Shakyamuni.

Manali Mountaineering Institute : Manali Mountaineering Institute is located close to the Tibetan Monastery on the left bank of river Beas towards Kullu. The institute offers basic and advance training courses for adventure sports like mountaineering, trekking, skiing and plenty of water sports. You can hire skiing and trekking equipments from here by advance booking. You can also visit a fantastic showroom here.

Manali Club House : Manali Club House is located at a distance of 2 kms from the main town on the left bank of Manalsu Nallah. Cross the Bipasha river by car to reach Manali Club House which is under the shade of Deodar trees and offers many indoor games facilities. Cultural events are also organized in the auditorium of Club House. Around the Club House there are some fine picnic spots, where you can pass a good time.

Manu Temple : Just 3 kms from the main market in Old Manali, there is a temple dedicated to Manu Rishi, the creator of human race on the earth. People believe that this is the only Manu Temple in India.

Vashisth Hot Water Springs, Ashram and Temple : A small village situated on the left bank of river Beas towards Rohtang Pass, Vashisth is known for its hot springs and magnificent temples. Here, you will see a pyramidal stone temple dedicated to Vashisth Muni. In addition to this, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Rama. Hot Water Springs containing Sulphur, is another major attraction here. Turkish style HPTDC’s Hamam (Bathroom) has arrangements of modern bath with the supply of water from Kund (Spring) and having separate bathing tanks for men and women, always remain full of tourists.
Tourist Attractions around Manali
Arjuna Cave (4 kms) : If you are looking for a half day excursion with splendid view of the majestic mountains, then Arjuna Cave is a good place. Arjuna Cave lies at a distance of 4 kms from Manali towards Naggar. It is believed that Mahabharat fame Arjuna had meditated here.

Nehru Kund (5 kms) : Named after former Prime Minister, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the Nehru Kund is located 5 kms away from Manali on National Highway to Leh. A natural spring of cold water, Nehru Kund is believed to originate from the Bhrigu Lake situated high-up in the mountains.

Jagatsukh (6 kms) : Jagatsukh is situated on the left bank of river Beas on the road to Naggar. This place is renowned for housing very old temples of Lord Shiva and Sandhya Gayatri in Shikhara style.

Kothi (12 kms) : 12 kms away from Manali, Kothi is a charming spot that lies on the road to Rohtang Pass. Kothi has always been a favourite place for poets, writers and the people who love nature or peaceful environs. A Public Welfare Department (PWD) rest house is situated on a ridge from where you get a fine view of beautiful mountains and narrow valleys.

Solang Valley (13 kms) : A beautiful valley, Solang Valley is situated between Solang village and Beas Kund. Reach this picturesque place and get the magnificent view of glaciers and snow-capped mountain peaks. Solang Valley has some fine ski slopes, where you can undertake the adventure sport. Manali Mountaineering Institute has installed a Ski lift here for providing skiing training to adventure seekers. The winter skiing festival is also organized at Solang Valley.

Rahala Water Falls (16 kms) : Famous as a picnic spot, the Rahala Water Falls is located 16 kms away on way to Rohtang Pass. If you go to Marhi on foot from the old road, you get a wonderful sight of the Rahala water falls.

Rohtang Pass (51 kms) : Rohtang Pass is situated on Keylong - Leh Highway at an altitude of 3,979 mts. A gateway to Lahaul, Spiti, Pangi and Leh Valley, Rohtang Pass remains open from during summers, from June to October when regular buses ply between Manali- Keylong/Darcha, Udaipur, Spiti and Leh. Rohtang Pass provides you a spectacular view of glaciers, peaks and the Chandra river flowing down in the Lahaul valley. Close to Rohtang Pass in the left are the twin peaks of Geypan.
Adventure in Manali
Jeep Safari in Manali : If you want to enjoy and experience the ‘wonders’ of Manali and the areas around, Jeep Safari is one of the finest ways for you. Of the various jeep safari routes in Himachal Pradesh, Jeep Safari from Manali to Leh is one of the most popular route with both the Indians as well as foreign tourists.

The 475 kms route will take you via Rohtang Pass (3,980 m) - Lahaul valley - Keylong - Darcha - Baralacha la (4,890 m) - Sarchu - Lachalang la (5,065 m) - Tangalng la (5,360 m) to Leh (3,505 m). Jeep Safari route from Manali to Leh remains open only for three months, from June to September every year.

You can also extend you trip to Nubra Valley across Khardungla pass, the highest motorable road in the world or to Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) after passing Zojila pass. Another option is also available, you can drive to Leh via Tsokar and Tsomoriri Lake. You can complete the Manali to Leh drive in two days with a overnight stay at Sarchu or Darcha.

During your Manali - Leh Jeep Safari trip you will cross the varied terrains. The terrains will surprisingly change their colour and nature, from lush green and foggy to the rugged brown, naked desert to the sprawling plain. In addition to these, you also get a good chance to observe the charming landscape, splendid valleys dotted with villages and beautiful monasteries from your jeep. Moreover, a lifetime's experience, Jeep Safari across Manali - Leh provides you a wonderful opportunity to meet and interact with the loving people of this beautiful land.

Mountaineering in Manali : Being the biggest range of mountains on earth, the Great Indian Himalayas has always lured the mountaineers across the world. Himachal’s charming town, Manali makes an ideal base to undertake the adventure sport of mountaineering. The Himalayas in and around Manali offer a range of mountaineering options, from a short and easy climb to long challenges of the snowy peaks.

While mountaineering in Manali, you get to experience the magnificent views of the snow-clad lofty peaks, the lush meadows, green woodland and also exhilarating fragrance of orchards. In fact, Manali Himalayas’ pristine beauty, vastness and a number of hidden jewells have an everlasting appeal for mountaineers, who explore the region by mountaineering.

Snow Skiing in Manali : The beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh lies amidst the Himalayan ranges of Shivalik, Pirpanjal and Dhauladhar. Most of its higher reaches remain snow-covered for a lrge part of the year. The Manali region in Himachal Pradesh is bestowed with some very fine slopes. From professionals to novices, Manali offers excellent opportunities for everyone to enjoy the winter sport of snow skiing. Thus, you can undertake the adventure sport of snow-skiing in Manali at any time to any altitude.

In Manali, training courses and facilities for snow skiing are offered by the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports. You can hire skiing equipments from HPTDC office at a very reasonable cost. You must be physically and mentally fit to take up skiing, trained guides are always there to help you out during any difficulty. You must remember that snow covered areas are very much accident prone, so you should make a complete enquiry before taking the sport. Close to Manali, Solang is one such place where skiing courses are conducted and it also organizes annual skiing competition.

Shopping in Manali
Apart from a popular hill resort, Manali is also a paradise for shoppers. Manali is the perfect destination for those who love handicrafts and traditional items. Of the variety of items available in Manali markets, the locally made woollen products are a must buy for you. Check out the famous Kullu cap and Kullu Shawals with delicate, bright borders.

After buying the woollen items, head towards the local Manali market to shop for some exotic handicrafts and hand-woven goods. Local specialties are Himalayan handicrafts, which extensively assort Tibetan curios such as prayer wheels, amulets, dorjes, masks, musical instruments and thangkas. You can definitely opt a few items from the Manali markets to keep as souvenir of the visit to this charming destination.