Welcome to Manali, Switzerland of India

         

             

                Manali  at an altitude of 2,050 m (6,726 ft) in the Beas River Valley is a hill station nestled in the mountains of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh near the northern end of the Kullu Valley. It is located about 270 km (168 mi) north of the state capital, Shimla. MANALI  is known as the Switzerland of India . You are in Manali . Forty kms. away from Kulu to the north, Manali is situated near the end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh.

      HISTORY : One day, Varvasvata, the seventh incarnation of Manu found a tiny fish in his bathing water. The fish told him to look after it with devotion as one day it would do him a great service. The seventh Manu cared for the fish till the day 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 sea worthy ark. When the flood came, Varvasvata and seven sages were towed to safety by Matsya, the fish which is regarded as first avatar of Lord Vishnu. As the water subsided the seventh Manu's ark came to the rest on a hill side and the place was named Manali (2050 m) after him.                  

CLIMATE: In winter, the temperature can drop to below freezing point when heavy woolens are required. Summer temperature is mild and light woolens / cottons are recommended.

 must see places in manali

River Beas:

                  The entire bus or car route from Kullu to Manali on the highway is with the scenic view of the River Beas on one side of the highway. There are numerous "White Water rafting" camps along the Kullu valley and if interested a person can stop the vehicle and inquire, if not, just spend a few hours along the gushing river stream. The Beas river is one of the most beautiful sights of the Kullu-Manali valley with fruit orchards in abundance. Don’t miss a quiet trek along the Beas river. Towards the end of winter you might find frozen pieces of ice along the river banks as i did in March 2013, just beautiful along the flowing gushing river. If snow capped mountains and valleys are one attraction in Manali then the other must to activity is to sit and stroll along river beas in Manali. You can go to the riverside via Van Vihar. Enter van vihar and go to the other end and then the riverside. sit on the rocks and enjoy the nature for hours after hours.

There are few spoilers also, you will find human excreta here and there on riverside and be careful not to stamp upon them.

Solang Valley:

                      Solang Nala (Valley) drives its name from combination of words Solang (Nearby village) and Nullah (water stream). It is a side valley at the top of the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, India 14 km northwest of the resort town Manali on the way to Rohtang Pass, and is known for its summer and winter sport conditions. The sport’s most commonly offered are parachuting, paragliding, skating and zorbing.

Giant slopes of lawn comprise Solang Valley and provide its reputation as a popular ski resort. A few ski agencies offering courses and equipment reside here and operate only during winters.

Snow melts during the summer months starting May and skiing is then replaced by zorbing (a giant ball with room for 2 people which is rolled down a 200 meter (hill), paragliding, parachuting and horse riding. A ropeway was recently opened.

Rohtang pass:

            Rohtang pass , at an altitude of 13,050 feet above sea level provides a panoramic view of the mountains . Manali is dotted with shiny gompas or Budhist monastries , maintained by donations from the local community . At a distance of 3 km northwest of Manali is Old Manali, famous for its orchards and old guesthouses.

Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa Monastery:

              Located in the heart of the town, the Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa is one of the finest attractions in Manali. This renowned Buddhist monastery was built in the year 1960. A large number of refugees from the neighboring Tibet have made this their home town and constructed this monastery. This lively and pleasing monastery is well known for its pagoda-style yellow roof. Gorgeous wall paintings illustrating the ideology of Buddhism embellish the Gompa. Gadhan Gompa depicts an image of Buddha.

Other Places to Visit:

Hadimba Devi Temple

Built in 1553 and with a superbly crafted four tiered pagoda roof. It is famous for its exquisitely carved doorway.

Manu Temple

This is dedicated to the sage Manu.

Vashishth (3km)

Well known for its hot springs. There are old temples dedicated to the sage Vashishth and to Lord Rama. These are just beyond the Himachal tourism baths.

Monasteries

There are three recently built Tibetan monasteries at Manali.

Jagatsukh (6km)

The one time capital of Kullu. Here are old temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and to Sandhya Gayatri. The Arjun caves are just ahead.

Solang Valley (l4km)

In a picturesque setting, this has good ski slopes end picnic spots. It has the glacier closest to Manali.

Towards the Rohtang Paas

On the road to keylong is the Nehru kund (6 km) which is a clear water spring end scenic spot named after the late Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru. Kothi (12 km) is a picturesque village and has a thrilling view of the deep gorge through which the Beas swiftly races. The beautiful Rahalla falls (16 km) are at an altitude of 2500 m. A crucial link on the old trade route and still the gateway to trans Himalayan Lahaul, the Rohtang Pass is at the height of 3980m.

Keylong

Lying about 120 km from Manali, Keylong is the headquarters of Lahaul and spiti district Monasteries of Kardung and Shashus are important attractions.

Kothi

A place with charming natural beauty, just 10-12 km from Manali.

Triloknath

Located in the Pattan Valley, its an important pilgrimage centre. Noted for its temple dedicated to six armed statue of Avalokiteshwara Bodhisattva.

Udaypur

An important pilgrimage place in the Pattan Valley.

Club House

The club House with its comprehensive facilities that includes roller skating ring, an auditorium, a billiards room, a library, a bar and a restaurants, makes a wonderful outing for the day.

  

HOW TO REACH?

By Air : Bhunter Airport (KUU)

* Distance: 52 KM / 

* Taxi Charge (one way): Rs.1,000.00 (INR)

* Time by taxi: 1.30 HRS

* Time by train: N.A.

Chandigarh Airport (IXC)

* Distance: 300 KM / 

* Taxi Charge (one way): Rs.4,300.00 (INR)

* Time by taxi: 7 HRS

By Rail : Train

* Station Name: CHANDIGARH

* Distance: 300 KM 

* Taxi Fee From Train Station: Rs.4,300.00 (INR)