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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.
Manali is 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
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.
Kullu 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.
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.
Kothi
A place with charming natural beauty, just 10-12 km from
Manali.
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.
Vashisth Baths
One of Manali's main attractions, is a place to
luxuriate in Himachal Tourism's baths where the water of
hot sulphur springs renowned for their medicinal
qualities has been piped into baths.
Rohtang
Pass
Rohtang pass (3979 m) is 51kms. from Manali on highway
to Keylong/Leh. It offers a panorama and spectacular
mountain view. The pass is open from June to October
each year although trekkers can cross it earlier. It is
a gateway to Lahaul Spiti, Pangi and Leh valley just as
Zojila pass is a gatway to Ladakh. There are a beautiful
sight of glaciers, peaks and Chandra river flows down in
the Lahaul valley. Slightly to the left are the twin
peaks of the Geypan. During summer(mid June to October)
regular buses ply between Manali-Keylong/Darcha,
Udaipur, Spiti and Leh. |
