Manali

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 the SWITZERLAND OF INDIA.

Manali is Situated at the northen end of the Kullu Valley, Manali has spectacular views of snowcapped peaks and wooded slopes. The Beas rushes along its rocky course amid grassy meadows carpeted with wild flowers and wagtails hop along from stone to stone along the stream's edge. There are marvellous walks too, through dappled orchards and fairy-tale forests of deodar.

The Manali market is crowded with myriads of interesting shops selling Tibetan carpets and crafts and the appetizing aroma of steaming noodles hangs about the little restaurants. Manali, with its Mountaineering Institute, is a popular base for trekking and mountaineering in summer and skiing in winter. Interesting routes into the surrounding valleys, over the high passes, are provided with tourist huts and rest houses for trekking enthusiasts.


Place to See
Hadimba Temple
This temple, with a finelywrought four - tiered pagoda roof, dating back to 1553, is built around anatural cave, which enshrines the footprints of the goddess Hadimba. Hadimbawas the wife of Bhima, one of the five great Pandava brothers of theMahabharata, and later became the patron goddess of the Kulu royal family.

Manu Temple
Just near the Hadimba temple flows the Manalsu River, thatculminates in the main Beas river. Across the Manalsu river is the originalvillage of Manali, that houses the ancient temple of the sage Manu. Manaliitself is named after Manu, who is said to have dwelt here.

Rohtang Pass
Rohtang Pass is 51 kms fromManali. Located at a height of 3980 m, the Pass once served as a crucialtrade route, and still remains the gateway to the districts of Lahaul andSpiti.The Pass is open from June to November each year, and provideswonderful views of the entire surroundings. Just beyond the Pass is theSonapani Glacier and the twin peak of Gaypan. The Beas Kund, the source ofthe Beas river, a holy site for Hindus, as the sage Vyas is said to havemeditated at this spot, is also accessible from the Rohtang Pass

How to Reach
Air : The nearest airport is at Bhuntar (50km).

Rail : The nearest narrow gauge railhead is atJogindernagar (135 km). The nearest broad gauge raiheads are at Chandigarh(310 km), and Ambala (355 km).

Road : The distance from Delhi via Mandi is585 km, and from Simla the distance is 270 km. From Simla, Chandigarh andDelhi, luxury buses run by Himachal Tourism regularly ply to Manali.