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Manali

Gateway to the Himalayas

General Information
District: Kullu, State: Himachal Pradesh, India
Area: 6.68 Sq. Km.
Languages Spoken: Himachali, Hindi, English
Long Distance Code: +91-1902
Importance: A hill station and famous for Hidamba Devi Temple.
Best Time to Visit: April to July and October to February to enjoy the winters and snow sports.

Description
The picturesque hill town of Manali is sometimes referred to as the Switzerland of India, as it is surrounded by mountains on the three sides and has some of the most beautiful meadows, orchards, rivers and fields in Himachal Pradesh. Though discovered by the British and Europeans in the late 19th century, Manali had always been one of the pilgrimage sites in India. It derives its name from Manvalaya or Manuwali. The legend goes like that of the Joan's ark. <br />Long long ago the sage Manu, the divine law writer in Hindu mythology, found a fish who asked him to build a huge ship to save the world from the terrible flood that would drown the land. Manu did so and when the water receded, the place he landed was today's Manali. The life started from this place. Therefore the place was known as Manvalaya that is the abode of Manu or Manuwali meaning Manu's. <br />But it was only in the 1970s that the government realized its potential as growing tourist destination. That gave rise to the new town of Manali, which was linked with the old by a bridge. Today, Manali still maintains its charm and beauty despite the heavy tourist traffic. Manali is a hot spot throughout the year. It is at its best in the spring when the River Beas gushes through, the streams flow at every nook and corner, the meadows are lush and green, flowers bloom everywhere and various berries, raspberries and cherries start wearing the pink colour. The winters are no less when the green turn white and people from India come to experience the snow in the crisp cold. Pine forest all around, acres of verdant landscapes, grazing herds, apple orchards and the people with their smile and folk dances and song add to the mystic romance that Manali offers. <br />Apart from the beautiful nature Manali has many things to offer. Manali is the point to start trekking, learn skiing, go bird watching, do river rafting, go mountaineering and from Manali one can cycle up to the hilly regions of Leh in Ladakh. Manali offers great variety of food. Along with local preparation of Lentils and rice and rotis, the typical Tibetan thukpa and other dishes are famous in Manali. It is also a shopper's paradise where one can buy ample variety of woolen items and handicraft items made of wood.
Location
40 km away from Kullu to the north, and about 250 kms from the state capital of Shimla, Manali is situated near the end of the Kullu valley thus leading to the mountains of Leh. Its breathtaking landscapes and wonderful nature has tourists coming from all over the world. Once a tiny little sleepy town nestled in the lap of nature has now become a developing city bustling with tourism.

The Hidamba Devi temple

This is probably the only place in India where a lady of a demon origin is worshipped as a goddess. It is said that when the Pandava brothers were wandering, they came across a demon called Hidamb. He was killed by one of the strongest of the five, Bhim. His strength and valour overpowered Hidamba, Hidamb's sister and she got married to him. She washed her sins following strict rituals and meditation and thus she attained the level of Goddess. Hidamba belonged to this region and hence the temple is here. The beautiful wooden temple in Pagoda style architecture has beautiful and intricately carved figurines on the doorway. The temple is 500 years old and there is no idol enshrined inside and only a foot-print on a stone is kept to worship. Every year in the month of May there is a major fair celebrating the goddess's birthday is held here.

Manu temple

Believed to be the re-creator of the human race after the Maha Pralay or the great flood, Manu is also known as the ancient law maker according to the Hindu Scriptures. This is the only temple dedicated to him in whole of India.

Jagatsukh

It is one of the biggest villages in Kullu valley just 6 kms from Manali. Jagatsukh is famous for its ancient temple and especially the Shiva temple. It is famous for the annual Chacholi Jatra festival and till date various operations of paddy cultivations are celebrated from here as there is a popular belief that the first paddy sapling in the valley was introduced from here.

Vashisht Hot Sulphur Springs

The Vashisht hot springs too have curative powers and are located at the altitude of 2100 meters around 3 kms from the town of Manali. Nearby is the pyramidal stone temple dedicated to Vashisht Sage.

Solang Nala

To reach the closest glacier to Manali, Solang Nala around 15 kms Manali one has to pass through the road that actually has many turns. Solang Nala is the picturesque village with icy slopes those can be seen throughout the year.

Rohatang Pass Manali

The Rohatang Pass situated about 52 km from Manali town at an altitude of 3980m is the place one has pass through to reach Keylong or to Lahaul and Spiti. Full of snow throughout the year it supposed to be a difficult pass to go through. The trek to Rohatang starts from a small village of Marhi near the pass. The Sonapani glacier is clearly visible from the Rohatang pass on a clear day.

The Mountaineering Institute

The Mountaineering Institute located at Manali provides training facilities for basic and advance climbing both for Indian nationals and foreigners. This institute also conducts other adventurous sports activities like high altitude trekking minor mountaineering, rock climbing, and skiing and high altitude rescuer and relief courses. The Institute has sufficient lodging and boarding arrangements and equipments can be hired for trekking purposes.

Arjuna Cave

4 kms from Manali near the village of Perini is the Arjuna cave. It is said that Arjuna wanted the weapon from the king of the Gods Indra and he chose this place to meditate and please Indra to acquire the weapon. The place offers a charming panoramic view of the hills and the mountains around. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThere are few recently built Tibetan monasteries in Manali worth a visit.\r\n

Mystic Himachal Tour
(6 Days / 5 Nights)

On Request

Details

Mystic Himachal Tour / PI-0215 (6 Days / 5 Nights)
Chandigarh-Shimla-Manali-Chandigarh

Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Chandigarh - Shimla
Day 2 : Shimla
Day 3 : Shimla - Manali
Day 4 : Manali
Day 5 : Manali
Day 6 : Manali - Chandigarh

Rendzevous with mountains of Himachal
(7 Days / 6 Nights)

On Request

Details

Rendzevous with mountains of Himachal / PI-0219 (7 Days / 6 Nights)
Chandigarh-Shimla-Manali-Dharamshala-Pathankot

Himachal Pradesh, one of the northern states of India, is as its name suggests, has a cover of snow. Full of mountains and sceninc beauty, the state has many beautiful small towns. Apart from the mountains and the natural beauty you may also come across some monuments of utmost heritage value. The best time would be to visit during March to August, although it is accessible throughout the year, the nature is tough!

Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Chandigarh - Shimla
Day 2 : Shimla
Day 3 : Shimla - Manali
Day 4 : Manali
Day 5 : Manali
Day 6 : Manali - Dharamshala
Day 7 : Dharamshala- Pathankot

Ladakh Himachal Tour
(11 Days / 10 Nights)

On Request

Details

Ladakh Himachal Tour / PI-0175 (11 Days / 10 Nights)
Leh-Alchi-Leh-Sarchu-Jispa-Manali-Dharamshala-Amritsar-Delhi

During the tour you will visit the most popular and famous monasteries of the Ladakh region built by different rulers. In this tour you are reaching the highest motor able road in the world. Here the landscape assumes fantastic view of the mountains. Visiting the most charming and beautiful Kulu valley spread out its charm on either side of the river Beas. The valley is also famous for its exquisitely woven colorful hand made shawls. We take you to Dharamshala known as Little Lhasa in the gorgeous Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh in North India.

Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Leh
Day 2 : Leh
Day 3 : Leh
Day 4 : Leh - Alchi - Leh
Day 5 : Leh - Sarchu
Day 6 : Sarchu - Jispa
Day 7 : Jispa - Manali
Day 8 : Manali
Day 9 : Manali - Dharamshala
Day 10 : Dharamshala - Amritsar
Day 11 : Amritsar - Delhi

Mysteries of Himalayas - Ladakh with Himachal
(13 Days / 12 Nights)

On Request

Details

Mysteries of Himalayas - Ladakh with Himachal / PI-0190 (13 Days / 12 Nights)
Delhi-Leh-Sarchu-Manali-Shimla-Delhi

During the tour you will visit the most popular and famous monasteries of the Ladakh region built by different rulers. In this tour you drive to the highest motorable road in the world. Here the landscape provides fantastic view of the mountains. From Leh, drive down to Himachal Pradesh visiting the beautiful Kullu valley spreading out its charm on either side of river Beas. The valley is also famous for its exquisitely woven colourful hand made shawls. Ending the journey in a splendid royal style by re-living in the former summer capital of the British - Shimla.

Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi
Day 3 : Delhi - Leh
Day 4 : Leh
Day 5 : Leh
Day 6 : Leh
Day 7 : Leh - Sarchu
Day 8 : Sarchu-Manali
Day 9 : Manali
Day 10 : Manali - Shimla
Day 11 : Shimla
Day 12 : Shimla - Delhi
Day 13 : Delhi

Manali, India Tours