OVERVIEW
40 Kms. away from Kulu to the north, Manali is situated near the end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh. The landscape here is breath taking. One sees well-defined snow capped peaks, the Beas river with its clear water meanders through the town. On the other side are deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards. It is an excellent place for a holiday, a favorite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur, Leh and Zanskar regions in Kashmir valley. It is known as SWITZERLAND OF INDIA.
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Manali is an important hill station of northern India and is the destination of thousands of tourists every year. Its cool atmosphere provides a perfect heaven for the ones afflicted by the hot Indian summers. Besides offering quite a few places for sightseeing, The city is also famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking. In short, Manali-is the "Valley of the Gods" and an ideal place for the ones in search of both adventure and comfort.
ACCESS
AIR:- The nearest airport is Bhuntar, 52 km south of Manali. Jagson Airlines operate daily flights from Delhi to Kullu.
RAIL: Nearest convenient rail head are Chandigarh and Pathankot. Manali can be reached from road from these stations.
ROAD: Manali is well connected by road with Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Haridwar, Shimla, Dharamshala and Chamba/Dalhousie. Regular buses ply between these stations. It is connected with Leh during July to October.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Language spoken English, Hindi, Himachali
Best time to visit Throughout the year, but the best time is between April to June & Sep-oct
STD Code 01902
LOCATION
The city is situated in the central parts of the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, Manali is at the head of the Kullu valley, 280 km north of the state capital Shimla and 108 km from Mandi. In winters, the temperature can drop below freezing point, so don't forget to carry your woolies.. Summer temperatures are mild and light woolens/cottons can play safeguards .In Manali, one can find high mountains . Manali is filled with thick forests, cool breezes and bird song & snowfalls. One can easily find small picturesque hamlets and fruit-laden orchards, especially apples.
SCENIC ATTRACTIONS
The often visited places in Manali are the Hadimba or Dhungri Temple. Built in 1533, this temple is dedicated to the deity Hadimba who was the wife of Bhim. One can enjoy major Festival held here in the month of May. The temple is known for its four-storeyed pagoda and exquisite wooden carvings.
The city is also known for its shiny gompas or Buddhist monasteries. It is also famous for its Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa, built in 1969. The monastery is maintained by donations from the local community and through the sale of hand-woven carpets in the temple workshop.
The smaller and more modern Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa stands nearer the bazaar, in a garden blooming with sunflowers. Its main shrine, lit by dozens of electric bulbs and fragrant with Tibetan incense, houses a colossal gold-faced Buddha, best viewed from the small room on the first floor.
The Museum of Traditional Himachal Culture, near the Hadimba temple, is worth a visit, which houses artifacts of folk art of the entire Kullu valley.
AROUND TOWN
Situated at a distance of 3 km northwest of Manali is Old Manali, the place is very popular because of orchids. Here you can have a look at the fort by the name of Manaligarh. One can also visit Manu Maharishi Temple, dedicated to sage Manu.
Being situated at 13 km northwest of Manali Solang Nullah, is famous for its 300-meter ski lift. This very place offers picturesque spot and exotic views of glaciers and the snow-capped mountains.
Vaishisht, around 3 km from Manali, also boasts a pair of old stone temples, opposite each other above the main square. Dedicated to the local patron saint Vaishisht, the smaller of the two opens on to a partially covered courtyard, and is adorned with elaborate woodcarvings. Those lining the interior of the shrine, blackened by years of oil-lamp and incense smoke, are particularly fine. The temple tanks are underground hot-water/sulfur springs.
Rohtang Pass, is situated at an altitude of 13,050 feet above sea level., it is an adventurous place where in summer too it can be chilly . A small lake nearby it is called Dassaur Lake. Also the main source of river Beas is nearby.
If you are looking forward for fun and adventure at the same time, here is your treat.
Skiing is a major pastime in Manali , there are so many facilities for skiing being available at Solang Nullah (January-March) and Rohtang La (during summer).
For adventure sports lovers there are several good hikes from Manali. The 12-km hike up the
western banks of the Beas to the Solang Valley is very challenging.
If your taste lies in rafting the months of May to July depending on the monsoons, from mid-September to mid-October, some basic rafting is possible on the river Beas.
To view the map of Manali, click here.....
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