Manali
Valley of the Gods
How To Reach
Bhuntar is the nearest airport for Manali Tourists. Distance between Bhuntar and Manali is 50 km. Air India provides services twice in a week and MDLR Airlines provide services 6 days in a week to reach Manali from Delhi airport.
The roadway that leads to Manali, starts directly from Delhi and is known as the highest motor-able road in the world.
The nearest track for the train is Jogindernagar to reach Manali. This Track connects Manali and Delhi via Chandigarh. It is 270 km far away from Chandigarh. After reaching Jogindernagar, Kandori is the next junction; it is 121 km from Manali.
Things To Do
Travellers flock to Rishikesh for Whitewater rafting, however, Manali is an equally good destination for rafting. Beas river is the most popular spot river rafting in Manali with rapids of different difficulty levels. The 20 km long stretch from Manaki to Jhiri, near Bajaura, is among the best stretches for rafting in India. With icy cold water flowing in from Rohtang, thrill-seekers and adventure enthusiasts are in for a treat.
Located amidst the Dhungiri Van Vihar forests, the Hadimba temple is popularly referred to as the Dhungri temple by locals. The temple is of great importance to Hindu pilgrims, as it is dedicated to Hidimba Devi, the wife of Bhima who was one of the 5 brothers, in the Indian epic Mahabharata (mythological epic).
Nothing like the tourist packed Mall road and main Manali market, Old Manali has a charm of it’s own. A paradise for backpackers, shop till you drop in this quaint town and don’t forget to brush up your bargaining skills. Old Manali is the perfect place to experience the city’s vibrant nightlife. You can either walk or rent a two-wheeler to make your way through the narrow lanes. Be sure to go here in the evening just before sun sets, to grab a hearty meal at one of the many cafes after exploring the town. This beautiful area of Manali is home to few of the many ancient temples like Hadimba and Manu temple.
Owning to the vast meadows and hilly terrain, adventure activities ought to top your list of things to do in Manali. There are ample destinations for tourists to indulge in adventure sports like rafting, paragliding and trekking. However, Solang valley is definitely one of the best spots for adventure sports in Manali. In the summers, you can enjoy activities like paragliding, water rafting and zorbing. The visibility is better during the months between March-June for paragliding, and snowfall is not a safety hazard. The cost for paragliding ranges from INR 500-1,000 to INR 2,000-5,000 depending on the duration and season. Another exciting activity here is Zorbing. The cost for zorbing is approximately INR 500 but may vary depending on the season. Zorbing lasts for 5-10 minutes and the instructor usually guides the client downhill.
Built-in 1960 by Tibetian refugees, The Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa Monastery is a popular Buddhist religious centre. It is also one of Manali’s main tourist attractions. The monks at Gompa monastery preach non-violence and peace and welcome tourists from all over, to meditate with them.
Tourist Attraction In Manali
Also known as Dhungri Temple, the Hadimba Temple brings the epic, Mahabharata to life. Dedicated to Hidimba Devi, one of the wives of the Pandava Prince Bhima, the temple is nestled among tall deodar trees.
An open valley of meadows, cobalt blue skies and spectacular vistas is the most popular tourist attraction in Manali. Solang Valley is a great melange of nature surrounded by the heavenly ranges of Himalayas.
On a winding mountain road, located on the Pir Panjal Range is the most touted tourist attraction of Manali, Rohtang Pass. A personal favourite of all nature lovers, artists and photographers the pass offers access to Lahaul and Spiti in summers.
Why Visit?
This place is studded with natural beauty, temples, monasteries, amazing hilltops, indigenous artwork, shopping spots and amazing sports activities.
- Rich heritage
- Hanuman’s mother meditated here
- A mini-Israel exists near Manali
- A ghost temple on Gata Loops
- India’s highest sky bicycle track
Welcome to Manali
Manali
Administratively, Manali is a part of district Kullu. In the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, Manali is located at the northern end of Kullu. It is about 250 km far away from Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh.
It is on of the biggest tourist destinations in India. Manali and the surrounding areas represent Indian culture and heritage. Manali is known to be home of Saptarshi or Seven Sages. The name ‘Manali’ is derived from a combined word “Manu-Alaya”, literally meaning “the adobe of Manu”. It is famous that sage Manu stepped off of his ark in Manali to recreate human life after a huge flood which had deluged the world. So there is a temple after the name of Manu which is located in Old Manali. This place is often known as the valley of God. Kullu Manali is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh. The History – This valley (Manali) settled at widely spaced intervals of itinerants who were known as “Rakshas”. The next arrivals were shepherd from Kangra valley and settled here to take up agriculture. They are called Naur or Nar. Today, only a few Naur families are in existence. These families are in the village Soyal. Manali was famous for the vast land owned by naur families. The best source of income here is apple, plum and pear. First apple tree was planted here by the British.
