#Manali-A gift of the Himalayas to the world
About Manali-
Manali-Valley of the Gods. Manali is a town in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It
is situated in the northern end of the Kullu Valley, formed by the Beas River.
The town is located in the Kullu district. Best Place to visit in Himachal Pradesh.
History of Manali-
Manali is named after the Sanatani lawgiver Manu. The name Manali is regarded as the derivative of Manu-Alaya. In Hindu cosmology, Manu is believed to have stepped off his ark in Manali to recreate human life after a great flood had deluged the world. The Kullu Valley in which Manali is situated is often referred to as the "Valley of the Gods". An old village in the town has an ancient temple dedicated to the sage Manu. History of Manali.
Best Time to Visit Manali-
If you want to enjoy snow then Best time to visit manali is October to February is the winter season and is considered to be the best time to visit Manali if you like the cold & Snow and January is best to enjoy the chilly pleasure of fresh snowfall. The temperature drops down below zero degrees Celsius.
The summer season, May and June draw maximum tourist crowds in Manali. It is the ideal time for trekking, hiking, paragliding, mountain sports, rafting, etc.
Manali experiences monsoon in the months between July and mid-September. It is not at all the best time to visit Manali as due to heavy rain landslides and roadblocks are very common here.
How to Reach Manali-Travel Option-
By Flight-
The nearest airport is at Bhuntar, located approximately 50 kilometres away from Manali. Domestic flights connect Bhuntar with Delhi and Chandigarh. Once at the airport, you can take a pre-paid taxi to Manali. However, owing to weather conditions, flights are not the most reliable option for getting to or out of Manali.
Note : check for flight availability before planning your trip.
By Train-
Manali has no direct option for train services. But there is one Option of Toy Train who love to travel by train for Manali. So you can take Kalka to Shimla Toy Train and from Shimla about 237 KM away, take the local bus or rent a car to Manali.
By bus-
Manali is very well-connected via roads to important tourist
destinations like Leh, Shimla, Kullu, Dharamshala and New Delhi by means of a Public (HRTC) as well as private buses. The bus journey from Delhi to
Manali is 550 kilometres, and it is advisable to book your tickets in the
air-conditioned Volvo coaches, as the buses are more comfortable than ordinary
ones, keeping in mind the long distance of the journey.
By Road/Self Drive-
The drive up to Manali is simply stirring! You can catch
scenic glimpses of the adjoining mountains and valleys and river from about
every turn that the twisty uphill road throws you in. Though a lot of trippers
prefer a self- drive up to Manali.
Note : Hire a cab in case you aren't comfortable with driving in mountainous regions.
Things to do in Manali-
1. Shopping on Mall road: If you are a shopping lover then you must visit the Mall Road Manali. Mall Road is the main street in Manali, the most attractive tourist destination for the Himachal travelers. The Mall road is a regular market place like any other hill station. Its a huge area where one can enjoy shopping, eating at various restaurants.
2. Igloo Stay:
3. Snow Activity: Enjoy adventure sports in Solang Valley. About 12 KM north of the town, Solang Valley is the best destination for mountain sports. Depending on the time of the year, you can try skiing, paragliding, snowboarding, zorbing, cable car riding, and snow sledging.
Skiing
4. Manali Trekking: is one of the best things to do in the town and also a great way to explore the hills and valleys of the Himalayas. The town serves as a base for some of the most exotic trek routes like the Beas Kund Trek, Chandrakhani Trek, Hampta Pass Trek, Deo Tibba Trek, Kheerganga Trek, and other shorter treks through Parvati Valley.
5. Go Camping: Camping in this town is one of the most incredible experiences to have. You can camp at the alpine meadows, pine forests, by the lakes, or the base of snowy mountains. Beas River, Tirthan Valley, Solang Valley, Bhuntar, Sarai and Kothi village are some of the most scenic camping spots.
6. River Rafting : River rafting in Manali is done in the Beas River.
7. Try Local Food:
 |
| Siddhu |
8.Walkthrough the streets at night and try café/pub hopping:
Places to Visit in Manali-
1. Hadimba Devi Temple: Also known by the names Hidimba Temple and Dhungari Temple, is a peaceful place surrounded by towering deodar trees. This ancient shrine was built by Maharaja Bahadur Singh way back in 1553, dedicated to Goddess Hidimba who was the wife of Bheem, one of the Pandavas.
 |
| Hadimba Devi Temple |
- Location: Old Manali
- Timings: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm; every day
2. Manu Temple: This historical Hindu temple, Dedicated to the Indian sage
Manu, this temple is the only temple on this planet that is dedicated to this
sage. Thus it makes to be one of the most sacred pilgrimages for the devotees
of this saint. Built with wood and stone, the temple offers exotic views of
the Beas River and magnificent hills.
- Location: Old Manali
- Timings: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm; every day
3. Siyali Mahadev Temple: It is one of the oldest temples in the region, Siyali Mahadev Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Shivalinga is said to be existing since ancient times. The Siyali Mahadev Temple, located on Hadimba Temple road, is incredibly famous for its architectural beauty. The rich brown color of the wooden structure and the flourishing natural vegetation with mesmerizing streams in the background is a magnificent sight that lures the number of tourists and devotees.
- Location: On Hadimba Devi Temple road, Manali
- Distance from Manali: 2 km
4. The Manali Gompa: One of the finest landmarks in Manali. Built by Tibetan refugees in the 1960s, this monastery allows you to enjoy quiet settings and unmatched spiritual vibes. The Manali Gompa is the most iconic and popular. You can also do a complete monastery tour by also visiting Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa and the Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa.
- Location: Old Manali Road, Manali
- Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm; closed on Sundays
5. Van Vihar: A nature park in the middle of the town, Manali. A short leisurely walk
through the Van-Vihaar Park is highly recommended, If you're looking for
some peaceful and restful moments in the Manali town. One of the most popular
attractions in Manali, Van-Vihar is a public demesne complete with lushness and
sky touching deodar trees. You can even hop onto a boat and maneuver around the
man- made lake here. Bird watchers will enjoy spotting local species in the
park, especially in the morning hours.
- Location: Dhungri Village, Manali
- Timings: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm (summer); 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (winter)
- Entry Fee: ₹ 5 per person; ₹ 30 for 15 minutes of boating
6. Vashisht Temple: A place
of great spiritual significance, Vashisht temple is a beautiful temple
set amidst the histrionic Himalayan geomorphology. It's believed that the temple
has a history of more than 4000 years and the innards of the sanctum point
wooden carvings, antique figures, and paintings. What makes this destination
even more unique is the presence of hot springs, the spring water rich in glacial minerals is considered holy and has medicinal values This place also offers the visitors a
glimpse into the old history of Manali. You can also enjoy some shopping in the
surrounding area – the woolens here are very famous.
- Location: Vashisht Village, Manali
- Timings (Temple): 7:00 am to 9:00 pm; every day
7. Nehru Kund: A natural spring located on the Manali – Rohtang Pass Highway, Nehru Kund is a good place to visit during summers. The spring is named so because Nehru, India’s first prime minister, used to visit it during his stay in Manali and drink water from this natural spring. The clear waters and the calm Himalayan landscapes make this a good stop for those heading over to the Rohtang Pass. It goes without saying that Nehru Kund makes for an ideal destination for photographers and nature lovers.
- Location: Vashisht, Manali
- Timings: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm; every day
8. Jogini Waterfall: The rushing cascades of Jogini Falls are a short and
invigorating trek away from the main town of Manali. The trail that leads to
the waterfall is scenic and gives you a glimpse of the River Beas and the
snow-capped peaks of Rohtang. Jogini is also an important place of pilgrimage
and you can visit many old shrines around the pool at the bottom. An early
start is recommended so that you can spend more time at this picturesque
natural spot, which is one of the top trekking as well as picnic places in
Manali.
- Location: Vashisht, Manali
- Timings: 24×7
9. Manali Sanctuary: Located about 2 km from the town, Manali Sanctuary offers you an unparalleled wilderness experience. The sanctuary that spreads over 31.8 square kilometers is home to many endangered and rarely sighted species and animals. During the summer, ibex herds descend into the range, so keep your zooming lenses handy if you like to take photographs. Maple, walnut, and deodar groves add extra allure to this sanctuary, especially in the autumn months when the leaves create a tapestry of colors. Adventure seekers can opt for the trekking and camping facilities at the sanctuary.
- Timings: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; every day
- Entry Fee: ₹ 10 per person
Popular places to Visit Near Manali-
1. Solang Valley:
- Location: Burwa, Manali
- Distance from Manali: 14 km (approx.)
2. Hampta Pass:
- Distance from Manali: 15 km (approx.)
3. Arjun Gufa:
- Location: Near Prini Village, Manali
- Distance from Manali: 21 km (approx.)
4. Rohtang Pass :
- Location: Leh – Manali Highway
- Distance from Manali: 51 km. (approx.)
5. Gauri Shankar Temple :
- Location: Naggar Castle Road
- Timings: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm; every day
- Distance from Manali: 22 km (approx.)
6. Naggar Castle:
 |
| Naggar Castle |
- Location: Naggar Town, Manali
- Timings: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm (winter timings may differ)
- Entry Fee: ₹ 15 per person
- Distance from Manali: 21 km (approx.)
7. Bhrigu Lake:
- Location: Kullu District, Manali
- Distance from Manali: 19 km (approx.)
8. Chandrakhani Pass:
- Distance from Manali: 21 km (approx.)
