Exploring the Beauty of Manali

India, the land of numerous hues and colors, has many fantastic hill stations in Shimla, Darjeeling, Mussorie, Ooty, Ranikhet, Kullu, and Manali - all of which attract the visitors from far off places. However, it is the beautiful Manali called "the Switzerland of India" that really fascinates the tourists the most.

Located 550 km away from the national capital and 280 km away from the state capital, Manali is in the state of Himachal Pradesh and is 40 km away from the hill station of Kullu which also is in Himachal.

Manali offers stunning views of the snow-capped mountain peaks, and wooded slopes not to mention grassy meadows, besides crystal clear waters of the foaming and somewhat bouncy Beas River which literally flows through the town adding to the beauty of the landscape.

Home of the Great Manu Maharishi, Manali is one of the favorite destinations for the adventure sport lovers and nature enthusiasts who visit the place for several reasons that include, among others, to enjoy thrilling white water rafting, rock climbing, trekking, and skiing.

Actually, trekkers to Spiti, Kinnaur, Leh, and Lahaul make it a point to rest and recharge their batteries at Manali which, incidentally, has a trekking and mountaineering institute. Many trekkers - before they proceed further - explore the nearby treks through the jungles and hilly terrains of the place to rediscover themselves. There certainly seems to be something in the serene and picturesque environments of Manali and its surroundings that keep them enchanted for long and asking for more.

Attractions

The nearby Solang Valley is a wonderful place and much famous for its winter skiing festival. The Hadimba Temple is another attraction of Manali. Hadimba was the wife of the Great Pandava Bhim and is believed to be an incarnation of the Hindu Goddess Kali. An annual festival is held here in her honor. The beautiful temple has intricate carvings of dancers and figures from the Hindu mythology.

The Rohtang Pass - also called the Snow Point - located 51 km away from Manali is an excellent tourist destination and another attraction that must not be missed. The beauty of this place is that one can enjoy snowfall here round the year.

The many shops in the markets of Manali sell fantastic Kashmiri, Nepali and Tibetan shawls, carpets, woolens, and handicrafts which could be bought to take back home as wonderful gifts and souvenirs.

When to visit

The best time to visit Manali is between May and October. However, if you enjoy snowfall and love the stunning views of the snow-covered landscapes, then you must visit the hill station during the winter season. Indeed, it is great to enjoy the terrific views of the snow-coated trees and buildings during this season.

Nehru Kund at Manali

Nehru Kund is a natural cold water spring located on the Manali-Keylong road and is around 6 km from Manali. It is named after Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.

The spring is believed to originate from the Bhrigu Lake. Bhrigu Lake is a small lake situated at the height of 4240 Meters. On its bank Rishi Bhrigu practiced penance. So this place has religious importance too. The path to the lake starts from Vashishtha village near the hot water sprigs. The distance from here is 6 km. and all the way there is steep climb .

Almost on the half way, there is a small cave, a meadow and a brook. The travelers generally take rest here. Last three km. climbs a bit difficult. On the way, There is a forest also. From here one can go to Kothi village too.

Adventure Sports at Manali

Skiing is a major pastime in Manali. Facilities for skiing are available at Solang Nullah (January-March) and Rohtang La (during summer). The Mountaineering Institute at Solang Nullah is a good training institute. Heli skiing is possible at the deep snowfields.

The Mountaineering Institute and Allied Sports is about 3 km from the Mall and offers mountaineering and kayaking courses. Kayaking is possible on the Beas River.

There are several good hikes from Manali. The 12 km hike up the western banks of the Beas to the Solang Valley is noteworthy. Lama Dugh meadow is a 6 km hike up to the Manalsu Nala, west of Manali town.

For the best trekking expedition, take a trek from Solang Valley, on to Dhundhi and from there to Dussar lake and then onwards to Manali. This stretch will take you to places you would have only dreamt of. Pure, unadulterated adventure and fun. Be sure to have a good guide at your disposal who knows this area otherwise you would be lost forever. The trek would typically last for 5 days.

In the summers, several travel agencies organize paragliding on the slopes of the Solang Nullah. The charges generally include accommodation, food, equipment, and a guide, but not transport.

From May to July and, depending on the monsoons, from mid-September to mid-October, some basic rafting is possible on the Beas. The trips generally begin at Pirdi and continue 16 km down to Jhiri.

Manali Tourism

Manali, (alt. 1,950 m or 6,398 ft) in the Beas River valley, is an important hill station in the Himalayan mountains of Himachal Pradesh, India, near the northern end of the Kullu Valley. It is administratively a part of the Kullu District. The population is approx. 30,000. The small town was the beginning of an ancient trade route to Ladakh and, from there, over the Karakoram Pass on to Yarkand and Khotan in the Tarim Basin. Manali and its surrounding areas are of great significance to the Indian culture and heritage as it was the home and abode of the Saptarshi or seven sages. The ancient temple, Hidimba Devi Temple, is not far from town.

It is located in Manāli, a hill station in the State of Himāchal Pradesh in north India. It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimba Devi, who was a character in the Indian epic, Mahābhārata. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest at the foot of the Himālayas mountains. The sanctuary is built over a huge rock jutting out of the ground, which was worshiped as an image of the deity. The structure was built in the year 1553

In ancient times, the valley was sparsely populated by nomadic hunters known as "rakshas". The next arrivals were the shepherds who arrived from the Kangra valley and settled to take up agriculture. Some of the earliest inhabitants of the region are the 'naur' or 'nar' which is a caste unique to the Kullu valley. Only a few naur families are known to exist now. A naur family in the village Soyal near Haripur on the west bank of Manali was famous for the vast land they owned and their practice of having 'rakshas' as their labourers.

The British were responsible for introducing apples and trout which were not native to Manali. It is said that when apple trees were first planted the fruits were so plentiful that often branches, unable to bear the weight would collapse. To this day apple along with plum and pear remains the best source of income for the majority of its inhabitants.