Manali

Manali, a mystical hill station at the northern end of the Kullu valley in Himachal Pradesh, is surrounded by rich woods of oak, deodar, and pine, as well as magnificent valleys and breathtaking views of snowcapped mountains. One of the most well-liked locations for honeymooners, it was given to the world by the powerful Himalayas. Manali provides breathtaking views of the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal peaks, which are mostly covered in a thick layer of snow throughout the year.

Manali has become a popular destination for young people seeking longer stays during the past few years. Old Manali is one of these people’s favorite neighborhoods because of its ambiance-filled cafes, strong wifi, convenient stores, and tiny restaurants. Furthermore, a lot of homestays and hostels provide inexpensive dorm beds for extended visits.

Manali is a must-visit for hikers, aside from vacationers and business travelers, as it serves as a fantastic base for exploring this side of the Himalayas. Great rafting alternatives are available on River Beas in the nearby town of Kullu. The Parvati Valley, which borders the Parvati River, is home to the small towns of Kasol, Manikaran, Tosh, and other nearby settlements that draw long-term visitors. Spiti is now more easily accessible because to the Atal Tunnel, which takes only a few hours to go to Sissu.

Travelers swarm Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass for zorbing, skiing, horseback riding, and paragliding, among other adventure sports. January and February have the most snowfall, with December and March following. In April, you might find some snow if you’re lucky.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best months to visit Manali are October through June. with vivid, colorful flowers that are in full bloom and a comfortable temperature range of 10 to 25 degrees Celsius. The greatest months to observe snowfall are December through February. With its snow-covered surrounds and temperatures that approach subzero, Manali transforms into a veritable heaven on Earth. Although there are visitors to Manali all year round, the monsoon season (July to August) has less visitors because to landslides and land bottlenecks.

ATTRACTIONS

Solang Valley

Vashisht Temple

Naggar Castle

Hidimba Temple

Jagatsukh Temple

Jogini Waterfall

Hadimba Temple: The Hadimba or Dhoongri Temple is a historically and archaeologically significant site that honors Goddess Hadimba, the epic Mahabharata character who is Bhima’s bride. It is one of the most well-known temples in Manali, attracting visitors for its striking architecture as well as its spiritual significance. Maharaja Bahadur Singh, the ruler of Kullu, is credited with building the temple in 1553. This charming building features a four-tiered pagoda-style roof and a wooden entrance decorated with carvings of animals, gods and goddesses, stories from Lord Krishna’s life, and mythological figures.

Manu Temple: Manu, who is regarded as the progenitor of the human race, is claimed to have only one temple in India, which is Manu Temple. In addition to providing an intriguing architectural design, this pagoda-style building gives a unique window into both history and spirituality.

Rohtang Pass: The Rohtang Pass connects Manali to Spiti and Lahaul, two of Himachal Pradesh’s more surreal and desert-like regions. Skiing, mountain biking, and sledge rides are popular adventure sports here. This location has been used for filming numerous hit movies, including “Jab We Met” and “Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani.”

Vashisht Temple: Nestled in the picturesque hill town of Manali is the serene and hallowed Hindu pilgrimage site known as the Vashisht Rishi Temple. This 4000-year-old temple, which is devoted to the Hindu guru Vashisht, is located just 3 kilometers from the River Beas. It boasts exquisite carvings, beautiful architecture, and sulfurous hot springs that are thought to have restorative properties for the body and mind.

Mall Road: Mall Road, a bustling thoroughfare lined with a multitude of lodging, dining, retail, and dhaba establishments, is regarded as the heart and soul of Manali. With much to keep you busy all day, it’s the perfect site to begin your exploration of Manali. Manali’s Mall Road captures the allure of the hill town in all its splendor. This popular shopping area is lined with a ton of boutiques and antique stores where you can discover some great keepsakes.

Old Manali: On the other side of the Manalsu river is a part of Manali, time left behind. With a sweet scent of an old world charm, interspersed with guesthouses and an increasing presence of tourism and hints of the present that it brings along, Old Manali is a tiny shift in the world and its rush, one must experience while here.

Rafting: Manali’s River Rafting is best suited for both novices and experts, and it takes place along the River Beas. In addition to organizing rafting trips in Manali, a number of service providers rent out rafts, helmets, life jackets, and paddles. On request, campfires, bonfires, and tent accommodations are offered. Rafting in Kullu-Manali costs between INR 500 and INR 2000 per person overall.

Manikaran: Known for its hot springs and picturesque scenery, Manikaran is a small village nestled between the Parvati and Beas rivers. Manikaran Sahib, a well-known Gurudwara in the town, is visited by Sikhs from around the nation.

Where to Stay

There are a number of hotels in Manali that can be reserved online.

HOW TO REACH

The closest train station to Manali is located 50 km distant in Joginder Nagar. But because it’s a narrow gauge railroad station, it’s not connected to all of the nation’s big cities. The closest wide gauge train stations to Manali are located at Ambala (300 km) and Chandigarh (310 km). The closest airport is located 50 kilometers away in Bhuntar. From these locations and other regions of North India, buses and cabs to Manali are readily available. The Leh-Manali route, which is only accessible during the summer months when the Indian Border Road Organization clears the snow, is another way to go to Manali from Leh. Nevertheless, this route is among the most exquisite routes to get to Manali and is really picturesque.