Manali , Himachal pradesh

Manali is a high-altitude Himalayan resort town in India’s northern Himachal Pradesh state. It has a reputation as a backpacking center and honeymoon destination. Set on the Beas River, it’s a gateway for skiing in the Solang Valley and trekking in Parvati Valley. It's also a jumping-off point for paragliding, rafting and mountaineering in the Pir Panjalmountains, home to 4,000m-high Rohtang Pass.

The Mall Road and its bazaar are the town’s focal point, while the Old Manali neighborhood is home to traditional stone buildings, apple orchards and the Hindu Manu Temple. Across the Manaslu River on a forested hilltop is wood-carved Hadimba Devi Temple, built in 1553 and dedicated to a Hindu goddess. The Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art preserves local crafts and heritage. In the Tibetan quarter, the Buddhist monastery Gadhan Thekchhokling is recognizable by its yellow, pagoda-style roof. East of the Beas River is Vashisht, a village known for its hot springs.

Things to do in Manali, Himachal Pradesh

1. Hidimba Devi Temple

   Historic wooden Hindu temple in a forest

   This 1500s Hindu temple built of wood in a cedar forest has intricate carvings & a shrine.

   

2. Manu Temple

   Old Hindu temple in scenic surrounds

   This historical Hindu temple in a serene setting backdropped by mountains is accessible by foot.

   

3. Manali Sanctuary

   Wildlife refuge, park, nature, and wildlife

   The Manali Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh in northern India. The sanctuary starts about 2 km from Manali. It is the catchment of Manalsu khad. A path from Manali log huts

   

4. Mall Road

   Shopping

   

5. Bijli Mahadev

   Camping, paragliding, rafting, and temple

   Bijli Mahadev is one of the sacred temples of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located at an altitude of about 2,460m in the Kullu Valley. Bijli Mahadev is one of the ancient temples

   

6. Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art

   Museum exhibiting regional artifacts

   Small museum showcasing Himachal heritage with various traditional objects & building models.

   

7. Van Vihar

   
   

   

8. Himalaya Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple

   Monastery and buddhism

   

9. Hadimba Temple Road

   

10. Bhrigu Lake

    High-altitude lake in the Himalayas

    Glacial lake located at an elevation of 4250m in the Himalayas & accessible via trekking routes.

    

11. Jogini Falls

    Scenic, sacred waterfall with shrines

    This picturesque waterfall in a remote, tranquil setting has shrines below it & is sacred to locals.

    

12. Solang Valley

    

13. The Mall

    Shopping

    

14. Siyali Mahadev Temple

    Historic Hindu temple made of wood

    Historic Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva & featuring unique wooden architecture.

    

15. Solang Valley

    Paragliding, adventure, and winter sport

    

16. Rohtang Pass

    Popular mountain pass with scenic views

    This well-known hiking & driving pass with Himalayas views can be treacherous depending on weather.

    

17. Great Himalayan National Park

    National park in a mountainous setting

    Sprawling national park with diverse plant & animal species in a scenic, high-altitude setting.

    

18. Himalayan Nyinmapa Tibetan Buddhist Monastery

    Monastery

    

19. Public Toilet - Hotel Kunzam

    
    

    

20. Pin Valley National Park

    
    

    Mountainous terrain with Buddhist stupas

    Expansive mountain park featuring peaks, valleys & Himalayan cedars, plus Buddhist monasteries.

    

21. Manu Market

    

22. Apple Orchard

    
    

    Orchard

    

23. Tibetan Market

    

24. Pandoh Dam

    Hydroelectric dam on the Beas River

    Hydroelectric power-generating embankment dam on the Beas River, constructed in 1977.

    

25. RANI SUI LAKE

    
    

    

26. Hot Water Spring

    
    

    Sulfurous hot springs at Vashisht Temple

    Sulfurous hot springs at Vashisht Temple featuring bathing pools for both men & women.

    

27. Vashishtha Temple

    
    

    

28. Ghatotkach Tree Temple

    
    

    Hindu temple in a picturesque setting

    Traditional pagoda-style Hindu temple with an intricate wood facade in lush, forested surrounds.

    

29. Manali Bazaar

    
    

    

30. Shiv Temple

    
    

    Temple

    

31. Hidimba temple

    
    

    Temple

    

32. High Adventure Tours

    
    

    

33. Himvalley Amusement & Cultural Park Manali

    
    

    Playful rides & scenic mountain views

    Amusement park backdropped by mountains offering simple rides, cultural performances & a food court.

    

34. ghatotkach mandir

    
    

    

35. Manalsu River

    
    

    Main waterway for fishing & walking

    Scenic river through Old Manali, with paths alongside, nearby accommodations & fly fishing.

    

36. Nehru Kund

    
    

    

37. Nature park

    Nature and park

    

38. Ram Mandir

    
    

    

39. Shanag Bridge

    
    

    

40. Solang Ropeway & Ski Center

    
    

    Recreational mountain for winter skiing

    Winter mountain resort offering ski slopes, paragliding, ATV rides & snowmobiling trails.

    

41. Gayatri Temple

    
    

    Small Hindu temple in scenic surrounds

    Mountaintop Shikhara-style temple featuring an intimate shrine & a chalet-shaped roof.

    

42. Anjani Mahadev Temple

    
    

    

43. Anjani Mahadev

    
    

    

44. Panduropa

    
    

    

45. Shandilya Rishi, Shaleen

    
    

    

46. Ram Temple

    
    

    

47. Gulaba Viewpoint

    
    

    

48. Nature Hot Water

    
    

    

49. Kanchan Naag Temple

    
    

    

Transport

Air

The nearest airport Bhuntar Airport (IATA code KUU) is at Bhuntar town, situated on NH21 about 50 km (31 mi) south of Manali and 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Kullu town. The airport is also known as Kullu-Manali airport and has more than a kilometre long runway. Air India has regular flights to the airport from New Delhi.

Road

Manali can be reached from Delhi by national highway NH 1 up to Ambala and from there NH 22 to Chandigarh and from there by national highway NH21 that passes through Bilaspur, Sundernagar, Mandi and Kullu towns. The road distance from Chandigarh to Manali is 310 km (190 mi), and the total distance from Delhi to Manali is 570 km (350 mi). Luxury buses (including Volvos) usually ply overnight on this route and are available from all major bus terminals. Besides 12 Non-AC services, HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) runs five daily Volvo and AC buses on Delhi-Manali route and two separate Volvos by HPTDC (Himachal Tourism Development Corporation).

Rail

There is no close railhead available close to Manali. The nearest broad gauge railheads are at Una 250 km (155 mi) away, Kiratpur Sahib 268 km (167 mi), Kalka (275 km (171 mi)), Chandigarh (310 km (193 mi)), and Pathankot (325 km (202 mi)) . The nearest narrow gauge railhead is at Joginder Nagar (175 kilometres (109 mi)). The Kalka–Shimla Railway is nostalgic narrow gauge route culminating at the state capital of Shimla wherefrom one has to travel by road to Manali.

Environmental Concerns

Manali has witnessed a flurry of activity related to hydroelectric power and tourism. Unplanned and rampant construction has led to severe depletion of forests and pollution of river bodies, along with garbage being disposed on the side of the mountains. There has been a loss of habitat to various species of fauna, not limited to the Himalayan Monal, incidentally the state bird of Himachal Pradesh. This prompted the National Green Tribunal to intervene and limit vehicular movement on the popular Manali - Rohtang Pass highway, as well as Solang Valley. This has somewhat arrested the damage. However, a lot still needs to be done.

History

Manali is named after the Sanatan Hindu lawgiver Manu. The name Manali is regarded as the derivative of 'Manu-Alaya' which literally means 'the abode of Manu'. Legend has it that sage Manu stepped off his ark in Manali to recreate human life after a great flood had deluged the world. Manali lies in the North of Kullu Valley. The valley is often referred to as the 'Valley of the Gods'. Old Manali village has an ancient temple dedicated to sage Manu.

The British introduced apple trees in the area. The first apple orchard was set up by the British near Patlikuhl, before this, no Apple trees grew in the area. To this day, apple— along with plum and pear— remain the best source of income for the majority of inhabitants. Both Rainbow and Brown Trout was also introduced into the rivers and streams of the area by the colonisers.

Before other luminaries started visiting Manali, India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru favoured this as a holiday destination in the mountains.

With the increase in disposable incomes and somewhat owing to the rise of disturbances in Kashmir in the late 1980s, Manali witnessed a surge in tourist traffic. This once quiet village was transformed into a bustling town with numerous homestays as well as the occasional boutique hotel. During the warmer summer months, cafes and restaurants can be seen doing brisk business.