Himachal Pradesh Manali

The lovely hill station is perched on the northern edge of the Kullu Valley - just 40 kms away from Kullu, at an altitude of 1,926 metres, and makes a wonderful holiday destination ideal for a family vacation, a honeymoon or on your own. The mighty River Beas hurtling through Manali adds a dramatic tone and you can spend hours watching the river rush by.

Over the last few years Manali has developed into a major hill resort, chock-a-block with modern hotels and tourist lodges. The Mall or main bazaar in Manali is the hub of activity, flooded with shops, restaurants, trekking and mountaineering outfits and wayside food stalls.

Manali’s rapid ascent as a major tourist destination has been accelerated mainly by its tranquil and verdant surroundings- travellers who wish to seek solace come to the tiny hamlet to get soaked up in the environment and admire its spectacular landscapes, lush green valleys, and meadows along with its mystical mountain lakes and rivers.

The excellent combination of wooded forests, snow covered slopes, lush green valleys and the swirling waters of the mighty Beas make Manali an ideal destination for treks and mountaineering expeditions into the Solang Valley and over the Rohtang Pass into Lahaul-Spiti.

Some important questions arise when we choose a destination.

Most important places to Visit in Manali. / Sightseeing places in Manali.

Which all places I can visit along with Manali?

Tour Itineries along with Manali .

Best time to visit Manali .

Most important places to Visit in Manali. / Sightseeing places in Manali.

There are lots of places to see and sightseeing opportunities in Manali and these includes visiting its ancient ruins, villages, temples, and Buddhist monasteries. Some of them are mentioned below for your convenience.

old Manali :

Visit the village settlement of old Manali, also known as Manaligarh which comprises of a ruined fort and a cluster of houses built in the Pahari style - with heavy stone roofs and wooden balconies projecting out of the first floor. According to popular belief it is here that Manu; the lawmaker lived around the 2nd century BC and even today the Manusmriti continues to be followed by many devout Hindus. The village itself is an idyllic break from the rush of main Manali, surrounded by terraced maize fields and apple orchards.

Hadimba Devi Temple :

At Dunghri village, a two km walk from the tourist office in Manali, is the famous Hadimba Devi Temple. Maharaja Bahadur Singh built the present wooden pagoda-like temple in 1553 after earlier structures were burnt down by forest fires. Standing on a stone platform surrounded by old deodar trees, the three-tiered temple is crowned with pennants, brass bells and a trident. Carvings of animals, plants, and folk deities adorn the temple, while hunting trophies hang over its entrance.

Inside the shrine is the brass icon of the goddess, surprisingly tiny compared to the huge temple structure and the legendary prowess associated with her. The shrine is within a natural cave formation dominated by huge rock. A set of enlarged footprints on the rocks is believed to be of Hadimba, herself.

In mid-July the idol from old Manali is brought to this temple for a major festival. As part of the frenzied celebrations, several animals including a buffalo and a goat are sacrificed to the goddess. The blood falling on the stones is channelled to the mouth of goddess Hadimba. Not for the faint-hearted, this ancient ritual draws large crowds.

Note: The opening time of the temple is 6 am and there is no entry fee to visit the temple. Do remember that cameras and video cameras are not allowed inside the temple. Dress in simple and sober attire and if you wish you can make a donation in the donation box.

Manu Maharishi Temple

Manu Maharishi Temple is a walk away from the main Mall and lies in the Old Manali. The shrine is designed in a pagoda style and is dedicated to the Hindu sage Manu and is the only temple of Manu in India.

The ancient temple was renovated in the year 1992 and additions like vaulted ceiling and marble floors were made. When you visit the temple make sure you wear dresses covering the knees and shoulders. The path to the temple is quite slippery so be careful while you walk it. While in Manali, a visit to the Manu Temple is a must!

Note: The opening time of the temple is 6 am and there is no entry fee to visit the temple. Do remember that cameras and video cameras are not allowed inside the temple. Observe a simple dress code. It is advised that you start your day early if you have to visit the temples as hills darken by early evening.

Tibetan Monasteries

The Tibetan Monasteries have preserved Tibetan culture in the form of three colourful monasteries. Manali has the largest Tibetan settlement in the valley, standing out by their colourful new gompas, many prayer wheels, and prayer flags fluttering over the house.

Gadhan Thekchokling Gompa, built in 1969 has a prominent yellow coloured pagoda roof and bright frescoes on the walls. Inside the vividly painted prayer hall is a statue of Shakyamuni (form of Buddha). Beside the main entrance is a roll of honour listing Tibetans killed in the late 80s during the many violent uprisings against the Chinese occupation in Tibet. The monastery is maintained through donations and the sale of carpets woven by the lamas within the temple workshop.

The Tibetan Monasteries are known for their rich handicrafts, especially carpets and paintings. With the aroma of Tibetan incense sticks filling the air, hymns, and chants in the background, the ambience of the monastery is captivating. There is another monastery which is located at Aleo on the bank of River Beas. You can visit the monasteries at anytime during the day.

Note: Cameras are allowed in here. You can buy amazing Tibetan handcrafted goods and Buddhist paintings here.

Vashisht

Vashisht, a village three kms and half an hour away from Manali is famed for its hot sulphur springs and panoramic view of its valley. One can take a day trip to the village and can reach on foot; it won’t be much of a hassle. If you wish to reach there by a car, then there are taxis available from the main Mall in Manali where you can hop on to get to the tiny hamlet.

Himachal Tourism runs a hot bath complex offering 30-minute sessions with piped water running into tiled tubs. The tubs are of two sizes regular and deluxe (Rs. 60 – Rs.120), and towels are available for an additional cost. After a dip in the healing waters, you can relax with a glass of fresh apple juice or any other soft drink on the open terrace. Within the temple complex, there are also free communal baths with separate sections for men and women. Remove your shoes before you enter the temples.

Note Enjoy the traditional hot springs or visit the two old stone temples with elaborate woodcarvings facing each other in the main square. One is dedicated to Rama (incarnation of Vishnu) and the other to sage Vashisht, who was Rama’s teacher.

The beautiful water spring at the Nehru Kund, only 6 kilometres away from the main town, is a refreshing and peaceful spot. People come here for its waters as it is believed that they have some medicinal effect.

Which all places I can visit along with Manali?

Tour Itineries along with Shimla .

Shimla - Kufri - Manali - Rohtang Pass

Delhi – Kasauli - Chail – Shimla – Naldhera – Manali – Delhi

Shimla - Kufri - Manali - Rohtang Pass - Chandigarh

Delhi - Shimla - Manali - Chandigarh

Chandigarh - Shimla - Manali - Dharamshala - Pathankot

Delhi - Shimla - Manali - Kullu – McLeod Ganj - Dalhousie - Delhi

Chandigarh - Shimla - Manali - Palampur - Dharamshala - Khajjiar - Dalhousie - Chandigarh

Delhi - Shimla - Kullu - Manali – Manikaran – Delhi

Delhi - Shimla - Manali- Kullu - Dharamshala - Dalhousie - Delhi

Delhi - Manali - Kullu - Shimla - Chandigarh – Delhi

Best time to visit Manali .

The best time to visit Manali is usually between the summer and autumn months from May through October, barring the monsoon season which arrive in July and August when rainfall perpetuates landslides. The summer months of May and June receive maximum tourist influx in Manali and is a great time for trekking/hiking, paragliding, mountain sports, rafting and zorbing. The Hadimba Devi Temple also hosts the Hadimba Devi Festival in the month of May, attracting a number of devoted pilgrims to its doors.

For winter activities like skiing and ice skating, its best to come in the winters months between November and February, though the mountain air can be bone chilling at this time.

Here's a tip, to avoid the high season and yet get your share of the weather in Manali, the spring months of March and April are a good time visit too. The months after the monsoons between September and November are equally soothing with the town looking vibrant and colourful.

How to Reach Manali ?

How to Reach Manali by Air

Manali does not have an airport of its own and the nearest airport is at Bhuntar (KUU Bhuntar Aiport), near Kullu and is 50 kms, and 40 minutes away from Manali. Airlines connecting Manali from Delhi, Mumbai are Kingfisher Airlines and Indian Airlines. From Kullu airport, take a pre- paid taxi from right outside the airport terminal or take a regular bus (tickets are very reasonable) to get to the main town of Manali. If you have too much luggage on you then it is well advised to take a taxi to the town as it is more convenient than taking a bus. The taxis have fixed fares so don’t hesitate asking as the taxi drivers tend to over charge for a ride to the town. Taking a taxi from the airport is quite convenient as you can enjoy the overview of the hills and descending valleys.

How to Reach Manali by Rail

If you are planning to take a train, the nearest railhead to Manali is on the narrow gauge line at Joginder Nagar 95 kms away. The Joginder Nagar Railway Station is well connected to all other Indian cities via Chandigarh. From the railhead, you can take a bus to Kullu first and then from there get on the bus which departs for Manali. The bus services from Kullu to Manali are very regular and depart daily throughout the day. The distance between Kullu town and Manali is about 40 kms.

How to Reach Manali by Bus

Manali is well connected with direct bus services from all cities of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Depending on which route you take, road distances from various Northern cities in India can vary. However, the closest distance from some cities is as follows: Kullu is 40 km, Shimla- 257 km, Chandigarh- 288 km, Delhi- 543 km, Pathankot- 299 km and Dharamshala- 217 km. The road connections are quite good and computerized reservation facilities are available at the bus stand itself. Regular deluxe buses and Volvos ply to and from Delhi and Chandigarh daily and usually run overnight. The Manali bus stand is in the centre of town on the Mall Road.