Manali (alt. 1,950 m or 6,398 ft), in the Beas River valley, is an important hill station in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, India, near the northern end of the Kullu Valley. Manali is administratively a part of the Kullu district, with population of 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 the surrounding area is of great significance to Indian culture and heritage as it is said to be the home of the Saptarshi, or Seven Sages. Manali is located at 32°10′N 77°06′E / 32.16°N 77.10°E / 32.16; 77.10. The town ranges in elevation from 1,800 m (5,900 ft) to, in the uppermost "Old Manali" section, 2,000 m (6,600 ft). As of 2001 India census, Manali had a population of 6265. Males constitute 64% of the population and females 36%. Manali has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female... Read more at wikipedia...
Title
Manali is a beautiful little town in Kullu valley, which attracts a large number of tourists every year. Adventure Tours of India offers adventure tour packages to this hill station in Himachal Pradesh. Manali is at a height of 1,926 meters and is at a distance of 40 kms from Kullu. It offers many adventure sports, such as hiking, skiing and trekking and is a perfect holiday destination for those who seek adventure. Take a tour to this exciting adventure destination and enjoy an unforgettable holiday experience with Adventure Tours of India.
Facts At A Glance
Main Languages Hindi, Himachali, English
STD Code 01901
Description
Manali is the focal point for treks and mountaineering expeditions into the Solang Valley and over the Rohtang Pass into Lahaul-Spiti. It is also the beginning of the epic two-day trans-Himalayan journey up to the cold desert town of Leh in Ladakh, connected by the Leh-Manali highway. Manali's rapid ascent as a major tourist destination has been further accelerated by the rise of terrorism in the Kashmir valley. Besides the local Kullu people, Manali is full of migrants including Lahaulis, Nepali labourers and Tibetan refugees. Manali is also one of the favourite joints of marijuana-hunters, ever since the hippie cult of the 60s.
Location
Manali, at 1,926 metres on the northern edge of the Kullu valley.
Best time to visit
April - June, September-October.
How To Get There
Nearest airport is at Bhuntar, which is at a distance of 52 kms.
The nearest narrow-gauge railhead is at Jogindernagar, which is 135 kms away. The closest broad-gauge railhead is Chandigarh (310 kms)
Taxis and buses are easily available to Manali. One can take a bus to this hill station from Shimla, Chandigarh or Delhi.
Attractions
The Tibetan Monasteries
These are built by Tibetan refugees, are not old but are attractive and are the center of a small carpet making industry. Rugs and other handicrafts are for sale .The colorful bazaar sells kullu shawls, caps and Tibetan souvenirs.
Temple of Hadimba Devi (The Supreme Sacrifice)
The temple of Hadimba devi is a lovely temple which stands as a mute tribute to the supreme artist who sacrificed the very hand with which he carved this poem in wood dedicated to the goddess of the Dhoongri temple- Hadimba Devi, wife of Bhim- one of the Pandavas. Every year in the month of May, there is a major festival here.
Vashisht Hot Sulphur Spring
About 3.2 km away from Manali bus stand across the Beas river situated at an altitude of 1982 m (6200 ft), just down below the temple are hot Sulphur Springs named as Vashisht. Nearby is a pyramidal stone temple dedicated to Vashistha.
The Mountaineering Institute
This institute is situated in Manali and provides training facilities for basic and advance climbing. It also conducts adventure sport activities.
Rohtang Pass
Rohtang pass is a gateway to Lahaul Valley. It is situated about 51 km from Manali at an altitude of 3978 m (13400 ft), on the highway of Keylong. Regular bus services are available. There is a beautiful Dashohar lake, left of the pass. The pass is open from June to September each year.
Rahalla Falls
The most enchanting Rohalla Fall is at an altitude of 2501 meters (8500 ft), and is about 4 km away from Kothi and 16 km away from Manali.
Solang Valley
This place is about 13 km from Manali and is a splendid valley between Manali and Kothi. It offers the views of glaciers and snow capped mountain peaks.
Beas Kund
The famous Beas Kund is a place where great Vyas Rishi performed "Tapa" during Mahabharata Kal. It is the source of the river Beas
History
Manali's `history' is really more myth than history. According to Hindu mythology, Manali was the home of the lawgiver Manu (after whom the town is named). Legend has it that when a flood deluged the earth, Manu and the gods were towed to dry ground by a giant fish, which was the seventh `avatar' of the god Vishnu. The area where Manu eventually found refuge was Manali.
Whether that's actually how it happened or not, Manali remained a fairly quiet place, more or less unknown to the outside world, till pretty recently. During the 20th century, the British started to frequent the town- its climate and natural beauty were equable enough- and Manali gradually began to acquire the reputation of a tourist destination. This reputation got a bit tarnished during the 1970s and 80s, however, mainly because of the discovery that marijuana grown around the town was particularly good. After two decades or so of happy-go-lucky, joint-smoking hippies, Manali's now turning into a base camp for trekkers and intrepid mountaineers. Honeymooners and families from all across India still descend on the town throughout summer, though.
Getting Around
Taxis, Buses.
Places To Stay
There are many luxury and budget hotels in Manali. Your stay at Manali would be easier during pea season, if you book rooms prior to your visit to Manali.
Title
Manali is a beautiful little town in Kullu valley, which attracts a large number of tourists every year. Adventure Tours of India offers adventure tour packages to this hill station in Himachal Pradesh. Manali is at a height of 1,926 meters and is at a distance of 40 kms from Kullu. It offers many adventure sports, such as hiking, skiing and trekking and is a perfect holiday destination for those who seek adventure. Take a tour to this exciting adventure destination and enjoy an unforgettable holiday experience with Adventure Tours of India.
Facts At A Glance
Main Languages Hindi, Himachali, English
STD Code 01901
Description
Manali is the focal point for treks and mountaineering expeditions into the Solang Valley and over the Rohtang Pass into Lahaul-Spiti. It is also the beginning of the epic two-day trans-Himalayan journey up to the cold desert town of Leh in Ladakh, connected by the Leh-Manali highway. Manali's rapid ascent as a major tourist destination has been further accelerated by the rise of terrorism in the Kashmir valley. Besides the local Kullu people, Manali is full of migrants including Lahaulis, Nepali labourers and Tibetan refugees. Manali is also one of the favourite joints of marijuana-hunters, ever since the hippie cult of the 60s.
Location
Manali, at 1,926 metres on the northern edge of the Kullu valley.
Best time to visit
April - June, September-October.
How To Get There
Nearest airport is at Bhuntar, which is at a distance of 52 kms.
The nearest narrow-gauge railhead is at Jogindernagar, which is 135 kms away. The closest broad-gauge railhead is Chandigarh (310 kms)
Taxis and buses are easily available to Manali. One can take a bus to this hill station from Shimla, Chandigarh or Delhi.
Attractions
The Tibetan Monasteries
These are built by Tibetan refugees, are not old but are attractive and are the center of a small carpet making industry. Rugs and other handicrafts are for sale .The colorful bazaar sells kullu shawls, caps and Tibetan souvenirs.
Temple of Hadimba Devi (The Supreme Sacrifice)
The temple of Hadimba devi is a lovely temple which stands as a mute tribute to the supreme artist who sacrificed the very hand with which he carved this poem in wood dedicated to the goddess of the Dhoongri temple- Hadimba Devi, wife of Bhim- one of the Pandavas. Every year in the month of May, there is a major festival here.
Vashisht Hot Sulphur Spring
About 3.2 km away from Manali bus stand across the Beas river situated at an altitude of 1982 m (6200 ft), just down below the temple are hot Sulphur Springs named as Vashisht. Nearby is a pyramidal stone temple dedicated to Vashistha.
The Mountaineering Institute
This institute is situated in Manali and provides training facilities for basic and advance climbing. It also conducts adventure sport activities.
Rohtang Pass
Rohtang pass is a gateway to Lahaul Valley. It is situated about 51 km from Manali at an altitude of 3978 m (13400 ft), on the highway of Keylong. Regular bus services are available. There is a beautiful Dashohar lake, left of the pass. The pass is open from June to September each year.
Rahalla Falls
The most enchanting Rohalla Fall is at an altitude of 2501 meters (8500 ft), and is about 4 km away from Kothi and 16 km away from Manali.
Solang Valley
This place is about 13 km from Manali and is a splendid valley between Manali and Kothi. It offers the views of glaciers and snow capped mountain peaks.
Beas Kund
The famous Beas Kund is a place where great Vyas Rishi performed "Tapa" during Mahabharata Kal. It is the source of the river Beas
History
Manali's `history' is really more myth than history. According to Hindu mythology, Manali was the home of the lawgiver Manu (after whom the town is named). Legend has it that when a flood deluged the earth, Manu and the gods were towed to dry ground by a giant fish, which was the seventh `avatar' of the god Vishnu. The area where Manu eventually found refuge was Manali.
Whether that's actually how it happened or not, Manali remained a fairly quiet place, more or less unknown to the outside world, till pretty recently. During the 20th century, the British started to frequent the town- its climate and natural beauty were equable enough- and Manali gradually began to acquire the reputation of a tourist destination. This reputation got a bit tarnished during the 1970s and 80s, however, mainly because of the discovery that marijuana grown around the town was particularly good. After two decades or so of happy-go-lucky, joint-smoking hippies, Manali's now turning into a base camp for trekkers and intrepid mountaineers. Honeymooners and families from all across India still descend on the town throughout summer, though.
Getting Around
Taxis, Buses.
Places To Stay
There are many luxury and budget hotels in Manali. Your stay at Manali would be easier during pea season, if you book rooms prior to your visit to Manali.
