Manali Tourism, Manali Hotels, Tourism in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India

Manali with its unspoilt scenic grandeur is extremely popular with the tourists, for a lavish display of natural scenery. It is one of the principal show places of the Kullu region. To its North, South and West are an ostentation of pinnacles and ridges which, in fine weather, stand out in bold relief against skyline. At the lower elevation and in every direction there are vivid green patches of grassland and evergreen valleys ascending in irregular formation present probably the best view in the country. Manali is situated at an altitude of 1,926 metres and spreads in 12.5 square km. It is the real starting point of an ancient trade rout.

Tourism in Manali offers a great and quality time in the lap of Himalaya. Manali is gifted with superb scenic wealth and have many famous places to explore around i.e. Solang Valley, Marhi, Vashisht, Rohtang Pass, Kothi, Nehru Kund, Club House, Rohla Falls etc. Manali can be described as the winter sports capital of Himachal and attracts an uncountable number of tourists all year long. Even in winter, Manali is full of tourists from India as well as from abroad. Tourism in Manali offers many kind of winter sports. The slopes of Manali are among the best slopes in the world for skiing and heli skiing.

Like all other places of Himachal, a number of fairs and festivals are celebrated in Manali every year i.e. Nalwari fair, Phagli fair, Dhoongri fair, Dhungri forest festival, Lossar festival etc. which add to the beautiful experience of tourism in Manali during these fairs and festivals. There are a number of beautful temples around Manali area i.e. Hadimba or Hidimba temple, Jagatsukh, Lord Rama temple, Arjun Goofa, Manu Maharaj temple. Especially the Hibimba Devi temple is very famous among tourists and is very easily approachable from the market as well as from the main road. Most of the temples in Manali are situated amidst beautiful surroundings.

There are some beautiful lakes to visit around Manali i.e. Dashir lake, Suraj Tal lake, Bhrigu lake. These lakes are situated at mighty height from mean sea level and offer a great panorama of mountain scenery to the tourists. There are a number of wildlife sanctuaries in Kullu region and the most easily accessible wildlife sanctuary in Manali is Manali Wildlife Sactuary. It is a great place for wild life lovers visiting Manali.

Tourism in Manali offers everlasting memories of great fun and enjoyment in the lap of majestic Himalaya. Manali with its superb scenic wealth and breathtaking landscapes is one of the pricipal show places of Himachal.

Solang Valley :
( 13 km. ) Solang Valley or Solang Nala is the sports area of Manali during all the seasons. It is a beautiful valley between Manali and Kothi which offers views of the glaciers and snow covered mountain peaks. The plateau is frequently used for holding camps by the trekking parties. The surrounding areas of Manali from 3 to 20 km. are suitable for rock climbing. The winter skiing festival is organised here as well as training in skiing is imparted at this place.

Marhi :
( 39 km. ) A barren landscape offering extensive views of the valley and the mountains. 15 km. short of the 13,050 feet high Rohatang Pass on the Manali-Leh road lies one of the most picturesque places in Manali region. Marhi - a mountain plateau surrounded by lush green meadows strewn with myriad wild flowers. The place remains a stopover for transit visitors and tourists during summer and autumn seasons and a transit place for the people to wait for the ferocious weather to improve at Rohtang Pass to cross over to Lahaul and Spiti valley, during the winter months.

Vashisht :
( 3 km. ) This place is famous for its hot water springs and temples of Vashisht Rishi and Lord Rama. It is located on the bank of Beas, but well above the river. Natural hot sulphur springs with two separate bathing tanks for gents and ladies are always full of tourists. Turkish style showers fitted baths have also been built nearby. Hot water from the nearby spring is provided for bathing.

Rohtang Pass :
( 51 km. ) At an altitude of 3,978 metres on the highway to Keylong, the mass affords a wide-spread panorama of mountain scenery. Here eye meets a range of precipitous cliffs, huge glaciers and piled moraine and deep ravines. To the opposite is the well defined 'Sonepani Glacier' slightly to the left are the twin peaks of the Geyphang snow crowned. The Beas river rises near the crest of Rohtang from a block of Mica-Schist. To its left, 200 metres higher, is the little lake of 'Sarkund' ( Dashahr ) visited by a large number of people every year. The bath in the water of Sarkund lake effects cure of all bodily ailments or imaginary. The pass is open from June to October each year although trekkers can cross it earlier. It is the gateway to Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi and Leh valley.

Mountaineering Institute :
This institute imparts training in basic and advanced courses of mountaineering. Institute speedily gaining prominence for conducting adventurous sports - rock climbing, high altitude trekking and skiing. It was set up in 1961 A.D. The area around Manali presently forms the core of mountaineering in Himachal. The Beas Kund region and lower reaches of the Hanuman Tibba (5,930m), the Manali and Shitidhar peaks around the source of the river Beas, and the Deo Tibba (6,001m) area, are suggested for beginners with some experience. Situated at the northern end of the kullu valley, Manali has spectacular views of snowcapped peaks and is Surrounded by towering peaks from all around. Manali's major asset is its proximity to the snowline.

Kothi :
( 12 km. ) A beautiful and quiet spot. The rest house here overlooks the narrow valley and commands views at the mountains. Below Kothi, for more than a km. the river Beas flows through a deep gorge, 30 metres or more in depth. The site of the bridge provides an interesting historical episode in early annals of Kullu. This place is famous for movie picturisation and resting resort for poets, writers and lovers of peaceful environments.

Nehru Kund :
( 6 km. ) A natural spring of clean cold water named after the late Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, who used to drink water from this spring during his stay in Manali. It is located on the Manali-Keylong road. This spring is believed to be coming from 'Bhrigu Lake'.

Club House :
2 kms. from the town, club house has indoor games facilities which has been located on the left bank of Manalsu Nallah. There are some picnic spots near it.

Rohla Falls :
16 kms. on way to Rohtang pass. If one goes to Marhi on foot from Kothi from the old road, the sight of the falls is fascinating. It is a good picnic spot as well.

Hadimba or Hidimba Temple :
( 1.5 km. ) Built in 1553 A.D. also known as 'Doongri Temple' dedicated to the Goddess Hidimba ( Hirma Devi ), the wife of Bhima, has a four tiered pagoda shaped roof with a doorway carved with figures and symbols. Although carving is simple yet beautiful. This temple was built by Raja Bahadur Singh of Kullu. This temple constructed in pagoda style displays the finest example of wood carving on it. It's sanctuary is built over a rocky crevice covered by a large rock that is worshipped as a manifestation of Durga, an image of the goddess is also enshrined here. The divinity is popularly worshipped throughout the region during the festivals and the goddess is transported to Kullu to visit the Lord Raghunathji during Dussehra.

Temples at Jagatsukh :
( 6 km. ) The original name of this was 'Nast', it remained the ancient capital of Kullu for about 10 generations. Jagatsukh is famous for its Shiva temple in Shikhara Style and interesting old temple of 'Gayatri Devi' and Devi Sharvali. It lies on the left bank of the Beas and the road from Naggar to Manali runs through the village. It is about twelve km from Naggar and six km from Manali. Before reaching Jagatsukh a place Shooru, near the entrance to Hamta Nullah, is passed at which is located the ancient and historical temple of Devi Sarvali. In Jagatshukh some ancient temples are still in existance. The most imprtant being the Shiva Temple in the Shikhra style.

Lord Ram Temple at Vashisht :
( 3 km. ) This place is famous for its hot water springs and temples of Vashisht Rishi and Lord Rama. It is located on the bank of Beas, but well above the river. Natural hot sulphur springs with two separate bathing tanks for gents and ladies are always full of tourists. Turkish style showers fitted baths have also been built nearby. Hot water from the nearby spring is provided for bathing.

Arjun Goofa :
( 15 km. ) A legendary cave near the village of 'Prini' on the left bank where Arjuna practised austerities to get the powerful 'Pashupati astra' ( weapon ). from Indra Devta.

Manu Maharaj Temple :
The temple of Manu Maharaj is located in Manali village, which is about1 1.5 km from the main town. The idol was found in the court yard of the house of a person, named Gauri of Dhauni Chauni. The present temple hasbeen constructed on hte said spot. On the 6th day of Phalgun, the famous Phagli fair is held here in honour of Manu Maharaj, every year. It marks the beginning of the spree of fairs in the valley.

Dashir Lake :
Situated at an altitude of 4,270 meters above sea level, the lake is located near the Rohtang Pass that connects district Kullu with Lahaul. Rohtang Pass is at an altitude of 3,978 metres on the highway to Keylong, the mass affords a wide-spread panorama of mountain scenery. Here eye meets a range of precipitous cliffs, huge glaciers and piled moraine and deep ravines. Dashir ( also known as Dashaur and Sarkund ) is a very beautiful lake lies near the Rohtang Pass. This attractive lake has a depth of 3 to 4 m. The bath in the water of Dashir lake effects cure of all bodily ailments or imaginary.

Suraj Tal Lake :
This lake is situated at an altitude of 4980 meters above mean sea level and lies below the summit of the Barachala Pass in the Lahaul division of district Lahaul and Spiti. The Barachala connects Manali and Lahaul to Ladakh. The name Baralacha means 'Pass with cross roads on summit' (Roads from Ladakh, Spiti and Lahaul join on the top of it). There is no road yet from Spiti, only a path exists. This pass is also an origin of Chandra, Bhaga and Yamuna rivers. And the lake which draws a considerable number of visitors - especially in summer - lies by its head. This is the source of the river Bhaga. There is a good trek to it by Zingzing bar.

Bhrigu Lake :
This lies east of the Rohtang Pass and is about 6 km from the village of Gulaba. The lake is situated at an altitude of 4,235 meters above sea level. Its depth is about 3 to 4 m and and it remains under snow for the whole winter. It is held sacred to Rishi Bhrigu. Being sacred this lake is visited by the people of Kullu, Mandi and Lahaul valley. It also lie on several trek routes of the region.

Manali Sanctuary :

Altitude : varies from 2273 meters to 5173 meters.
Annual Rainfall : mean annual rainfall is 1080 mm.
Temperature : temprature varies from -4 to 30°C.
Area : 3,180 hectares ( 31.80 sq. km. ).
Location : nearest town is Manali.
Approaches : Kullu to Manali to inside sanctuary.

It was first notified as a sanctuary on 26th February 1954. The sanctuary forms part of the catchment of Manalsu Nala, an important tributary of the Beas River. The higher reaches are good habitat for pheasants, musk deer and Ibex. Gujjars and Gaddis cause great disturbance to this sanctuary. There are some lovely Alpine meadows carpeted with a variety of wild flowers. Beas Kund, the source of Beas River, is located just north of the sanctuary and the Pir Panjal range along with its western boundary.

Flora
Forest types include Ban oak, moist Deodar forest, mixed Coniferous, moist temperate Deciduous and Kharsu Oak forest.

Fauna ( Mammals )
Himalayan Black Bear, Brown Bear, Jungle Cat, Himalayan Palm Civet, barking Deer, Musk deer, Indian Fox, Goral, Ibex, common Langur, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Lynx, Rhesus, Macaque, Himalayan yellow throated Marten, Indian Porcupine, Serow, Kashmiri flying Squirrel and Himalayan Tahr. Locally threatened species are - Chir Pheasant, Musk Deer, Ibex, Serow, western Tragopan and Lynx.

Fairs in Manali

Nalwari Fair :
It is held in district Kullu at Manali in the month of May. It is a famous fair to be celebrated in Manali area.

Phagli Fair :
The fair is is held in the month of Phagun and hence the name Phagli. The fair is held to show the struggle of supermacy between the god and demon, in which ultimately the god emerges victorious. This fair is also held to commemorate the event of killing the demon by god. A person wearing the mask and a grass tied with the help of strings all over the body acts as a demon and god is represented by gur (god's spokes man). Special dancess 'Deo Khel' and 'Raksh Khel' are performed by these people with the rhythm of the drum-beats. The demon is 'Tundi Raksh' who troubled people living from Manali to Archhandi. Manu Rishi with the help of Shandalya Rishi killed him. Phagli is held at Malana, Jana, Halan, Soil and in all temples of Jamlu.

Dhoongri Fair :
This fair is held on Jaishth 2nd (May-June) for the three days at Dhoongri (Manali) in the memory of Devi Hadimba who meditated at Dhoogri and was married to Bhima one of the five Pandvas. She had a son from him who was named Ghatotkach. He fought in the battle of Mahabharta. The fair starts with the worship of Goddess Hadimba.

Festivals in Manali

Dhungri Forest Festival :
The Dhungri Forest festival is celebrated at the Hadimba or Dhungiri temple in Manali. This four story wooden temple is located in the middle of a forest called the Dhungiri Van Vihar. The Goddess is worshipped by the local women, who arrive in their colorful dresses to perform the ritual dance before her in order to appease her. Legend states that the king who commissioned the temple was so highly satisfied with the results that he cut off the craftsman's right hand to prevent him from duplicating it elsewhere.

Lossar Festival :
This festival is celebrated in the entire tribal belt of Himachal Pradesh and in the Tibetan colonies at Manali, Shimla, Dharamshala, Solan and Baijnath. The old Buddhist shrine, celebrating Padamsambhava's marriage with a local Princess at Rewalser in Mandi district also emerges as a pivotal attraction for these religious celebrations. This festival means a beginning of a new year and is held in the last week of February.One can witness a Chham dance, various mask dances and dramas remniscent of the post Buddhist culture with traditional orchestra.