| FACTS
& FIGURES
Population : 4200
Languages : English, Hindi, Himachali
Best Time to Visit : Throughout the year
STD Code : 01902
THE EXCITING
VALE
Once called the "end of the habitable world,"
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 haven for
the ones afflicted by the hot Indian summers. Besides
offering quite a few places for sightseeing, Manali
is also famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking,
mountaineering, paragliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking,
and mountain biking. In brief, Manali-the veritable
"valley of the Gods"-is an ideal place for
the ones in search of both adventure and comfort. The
Kulluis in brightly patterned puttoos, Tibetan women
wearing ankle-length rainbow-striped pinafores, Nepali
porters, Buddhist monks, and even the odd party of Zanskaris,
swathed in fusty woolen gonchas, muddled together with
souvenir-hunting Indian and Western tourists-all add
up to the welcoming hubbub of Manali.
LOCATION
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. Manali is perched
at an altitude of 2050 meters above sea level and is
spread along the banks of the river Beas. In winters,
the temperature can drop below freezing point when heavy
woolens are required. Summer temperatures are mild and
light woolens/cottons are recommended. In Manali, one
can find high mountains shrouded by silent snows and
deep boulder strewn gorges. There are thick forests,
filled with cool breezes and bird song. There are fields
of wild flowers, small picturesque hamlets and fruit-laden
orchards, especially apples.
THE MYTHICAL PAST
Manali has a pre-historic legend behind
its name. Vaivasvata, the seventh incarnation of Manu,
the first creation according to Hindu mythology, found
a tiny fish in his bathing water. The fish told him
to look after it with devotion, for one day it would
do him a great service. The seventh Manu cared for the
fish until it grew so huge that he released it into
the sea. Before departing, the fish warned Manu of an
impending deluge when the entire world would be submerged
and bade him to build a seaworthy ark. When the flood
came, Matsya (fish), the first avatar of Lord Vishnu,
towed Vaivasvata and the Seven Sages to safety. As the
waters subsided, the seventh Manu's ark came to rest
on a hillside and the place was named Manali after him.
SITES TO VISIT
The oft-visited site in Manali is the
Hidimba or Dhungri Temple. Erected in 1533, this temple
is dedicated to the local deity Hidimba, wife of the
Pandava prince, Bhim. A major festival is held here
in the month of May. The temple is noted for its four-storeyed
pagoda and exquisite wooden carvings.
Manali is known for its shiny gompas or Buddhist monasteries.
With the highest concentration of Tibetan refugees in
the entire Kullu valley, it is 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
Hidimba temple, is worth a visit, which houses artifacts
of folk art of the entire Kullu valley.
SITES NEARBY
At a distance of 3 km northwest of Manali
is Old Manali, famous for its orchards and old guesthouses.
There is ruined fort here by the name of Manaligarh.
There is also the Manu Maharishi Temple, dedicated to
sage Manu.
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 Vashista,
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, at an altitude of 13,050 feet above sea
level, is another adventure tourist site where it can
be chilly even on summer day. Close by is a small lake
called Dassaur Lake. Beas Kund, the source of river
Beas, is also nearby.
Solang Nullah, 13 km northwest of Manali, is famous
for its 300-meter ski lift. It is a picturesque spot
and offers splendid views of glaciers and the snow-capped
mountains. Jagatsukh, the former capital of Manali,
is also an important spot.
WHAT TO BUY
Woolen goods are the town's real forte,
particularly the brilliantly patterned shawls. The New
Shopping Center (NSC) near the bus stand has a good
selection. A good place to familiarize oneself with
fair prices is the Shawl Factory Shop, just off the
Mall south of the bus stand, which sells high-quality
shawls at fixed rates. Elsewhere around the bazaar,
innumerable stalls are stacked with hand-woven goods
and pillbox Kullu topis or caps. Manali's other specialty
is Himalayan handicrafts: mainly assorted Tibetan curios
such as prayer wheels, amulets, dorjes (thunderbolts),
masks, musical instruments and thangkas.
ADVENTURE SPORTS
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 (Ph.
52342) 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.
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.
The HPTDC provides day permits for fishing. Permits
can be obtained also at Patlikhul. Angling in the Kullu
valley is possible at Larji, Katrain and Kasol.
HOW TO REACH
The nearest airport is Bhuntar, 52 km
south of Manali. There are flights to Delhi via Shimla.
The closest narrow-gauge railhead is at Jogindernagar,
135 km away. The closest broad-gauge railheads are Chandigarh
(310 km) and Ambala (355 km). By road, the distance
from Delhi via Mandi is 585 km, and from Shimla the
distance is 270 km.
WHERE TO STAY
For sheer luxury, nothing in Manali
can surpass Himachal Tourism's Log Huts. Here is a blend
of rustic charm and modern comfort. About 2 km away
from Manali, the Log Huts and Hamta Cottages are set
in glorious surroundings providing a view of the snow-capped
peaks. Besides these, there are several other budget
and mid-range accommodations available. Food in Manali
can vary from hamburgers and pizzas to Chinese, Tibetan
and Japanese cuisine and typical Indian dishes.
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