Top Places to Visit in Manali
Best Places To Visit In Manali
Coming From One of the metro-cities staying engulfed in the arms of nature at all times is aconstant surprise that stays with you. Imagine yourself wandering through rows and rows of Deodar and Pine Trees, Lined along the banks of River Beas.
Built in 1553 by Raja Bahadur singh, Hidimbi devi temple is a story of love, sacrifice and repentance!
In Mahabharata, there is a story about Hidimba, the demon ruler of mountains and brother of Hidimbi. It is told that Pandava spent a part of their 14 years exile in Himachal Pradesh, where Bhima, one of the five brothers, killed Hidimba and married his sister. When Bhima decided to leave the town, Hidimba refused to come with him and chose to stay back, meditate and pray to the gods rather. Impressed by her dedication, the gods relented themselves and bestowed her with the status of a goddess, an incarnation of Shakti!
And that is how the temple came into existence!
The temple is situated at about 3 km. from the bus stand and could even be reached on foot from old Manali. Away from the hustle bustle of the town, the temple is located in the middle of pine trees. The location is quite breathtaking and rejuvenates you not just physically but spiritually as well. From afar, it looks something like a Buddhist monastery. But a closer look tells you how intricately the little details have been done. The temple has been built in pagoda style of 4 tiered roofs. As you enter the temple a porch with a bench to sit on welcomes you warmly. The windows are made of wood and are carefully carved out of the temple, giving it a look of a rich ancient house. The architecture is marvellous considering how old the temple is and the entire structure still is considered by many localities as a pillar of protection from the ghosts, demons and ghouls. All and all, a visit to Manali is incomplete without the Hidimba devi temple.
In Mahabharata, there is a story about Hidimba, the demon ruler of mountains and brother of Hidimbi. It is told that Pandava spent a part of their 14 years exile in Himachal Pradesh, where Bhima, one of the five brothers, killed Hidimba and married his sister. When Bhima decided to leave the town, Hidimba refused to come with him and chose to stay back, meditate and pray to the gods rather. Impressed by her dedication, the gods relented themselves and bestowed her with the status of a goddess, an incarnation of Shakti!
And that is how the temple came into existence!
The temple is situated at about 3 km. from the bus stand and could even be reached on foot from old Manali. Away from the hustle bustle of the town, the temple is located in the middle of pine trees. The location is quite breathtaking and rejuvenates you not just physically but spiritually as well. From afar, it looks something like a Buddhist monastery. But a closer look tells you how intricately the little details have been done. The temple has been built in pagoda style of 4 tiered roofs. As you enter the temple a porch with a bench to sit on welcomes you warmly. The windows are made of wood and are carefully carved out of the temple, giving it a look of a rich ancient house. The architecture is marvellous considering how old the temple is and the entire structure still is considered by many localities as a pillar of protection from the ghosts, demons and ghouls. All and all, a visit to Manali is incomplete without the Hidimba devi temple.
Unlike the other temples of its times, Manu temple isn’t for the weak-hearted. Reaching the structure, following a narrow road, in itself is a thrilling experience for most. However, for the adventurous ones, it’s a perfect blend of exploration and comfort. Constructed in pagoda style, the temple was built after King Manu who is known worldwide as the initiator of human race. The temple is located in Beas river valley in Kullu district and is surrounded by beauty of the most alluring kind. As soon as you step into the porch, the fresh and calming air takes over your senses and transfers you another world of religion and spiritualism. Manu temple brings you closer to the nature, reminding you there is more to life than just money and fame.
It is important to know that the temple is about 3 km from the town and 11 km from the Solang valley. But you can easily make use of the cab services available in the town as well as near the temple to travel to and forth. Also, there are a lot of shops lined near the temple selling small and big commodities to tourists, which explains that tourism indeed is bringing good employment to the little town. If you are going by road, make sure you leave early as there is a lot of traffic in the route and you might get stuck for hours, wasting precious time that you could have used visiting some other place. What makes the place spellbinding is its backdrop where the lush green of the Himalayan Mountains meet the frothy white of the Beas River. Any visit to Manali is incomplete without visiting the Manu temple.
It is important to know that the temple is about 3 km from the town and 11 km from the Solang valley. But you can easily make use of the cab services available in the town as well as near the temple to travel to and forth. Also, there are a lot of shops lined near the temple selling small and big commodities to tourists, which explains that tourism indeed is bringing good employment to the little town. If you are going by road, make sure you leave early as there is a lot of traffic in the route and you might get stuck for hours, wasting precious time that you could have used visiting some other place. What makes the place spellbinding is its backdrop where the lush green of the Himalayan Mountains meet the frothy white of the Beas River. Any visit to Manali is incomplete without visiting the Manu temple.
A new monastery built in the 1960s. It is an important gathering place for Buddhists from Lahaul, Nepal and Tibet. The Gompa is Famous for its wall Paintings, chortens and a large statue of Lord Buddha. It is mostly visited by Families, Backpackers, Senior Citizens.
Gadhan Thekchhokling gompa, manaliOne among the finest attractions in Manali is the Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa, which is a renowned Buddhist monastery built in the year 1960. A large number of refugees from the neighbouring Tibet makes this hill station as their home town and it was by them this famous monastery was constructed. 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.
The monastery also enlists the names of people who were killed in the Tibetan occupation. This shrine also houses petite shops in its premises for the sale of Tibetan Handicrafts and carpets. It is through this sale and donations from good Samaritans the temple activities are keep going. This shrine functions between 6 am to 6 pm.
Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa, manaliSet amidst a beautiful garden of sunflowers, There is another gompa named Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa is pretty close to the Manali bazaar. Though smaller than Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa, it has a more modern façade. The monastery houses a huge gold faced statue of Lord Buddha. When darkness sets in, the place glitters with electric bulbs, with the fragrance of Tibetan incense enriching its peaceful ambience.
Gadhan Thekchhokling gompa, manaliOne among the finest attractions in Manali is the Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa, which is a renowned Buddhist monastery built in the year 1960. A large number of refugees from the neighbouring Tibet makes this hill station as their home town and it was by them this famous monastery was constructed. 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.
The monastery also enlists the names of people who were killed in the Tibetan occupation. This shrine also houses petite shops in its premises for the sale of Tibetan Handicrafts and carpets. It is through this sale and donations from good Samaritans the temple activities are keep going. This shrine functions between 6 am to 6 pm.
Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa, manaliSet amidst a beautiful garden of sunflowers, There is another gompa named Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa is pretty close to the Manali bazaar. Though smaller than Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa, it has a more modern façade. The monastery houses a huge gold faced statue of Lord Buddha. When darkness sets in, the place glitters with electric bulbs, with the fragrance of Tibetan incense enriching its peaceful ambience.
Vashisht village is a green patch of steep hill hanging at the base on a cliff. The village is 6 km from Manali at the banks of the Beas River opposite Old Manali. Vashisht is reachable from Manali by half an hour walk or a short drive up a slanting road by Auto Rickshaw for Rs.50. Most foreign tourists preferred staying here or at the Old Manali than the downtown Manali. Rich traditions and nice cafes are integral for backpackers. Vashisht has all that. Like Old Manali, Vashisht is crowded with tourists during peak seasons.
Streams rise at the base of this mountain. I walked up from the main road near the Beas River through a small steep footpath. The road was idyllic. Clear streams cut through the road and a small bridge suspends over it. The rustic village has a calm soothing effect.The village still retains the traditional house making style. Every gully springs up surprise. At one corner there’s this German bakery and at the next turn we’ve the traditional houses with cows. Foreign tourists who have only seen cows on the road in India looked overwhelmed like they were seeing a deer or a Nilgai.
Vashisht was named after Rishi Vashisht one of the seven sages of Hindu. Legend has it that the saddened Rishi Vashisht after learning that his children were killed by Vishwamitra tried to commit suicide. But the river refused to kill him. The river was therefore named as Vipasha which literally means ‘freedom from bondage’. It was later shortened to Beas River. He began mediating and vowed to start his life anew. The Vashisht temple which exists even today is believed to be more than 4000 years. It’s difficult to imagine how a place so old could remain so small. Perhaps the village is protected by its difficult landscapes. Vashisht temple is built in a traditional style with lots of intricate wood carvings. It is also most popular for hot springs which is believed to have medicinal value. There are separate bathing arrangement for men and women. According to another legend Lakshman who paid a visit realized that the sage had to go for long walks to take bath. He shot an arrow into the ground and hot water began to gush out. There’s another temple ancient stone temple known as Rama Temple adjacent to the Vashisht Temple.Vashisht village is considered an important place by the Hindus in India. The place is often associated with pilgrims.
Most shops in Vashisht sell woolen clothes. There are beautiful cafes and dining places all along the main street. Vashisht offers by far the best view of the Beas River and the Old Manali. Watching the river valley spread below at sunset leaves a lasting photographic image in my mind.
Streams rise at the base of this mountain. I walked up from the main road near the Beas River through a small steep footpath. The road was idyllic. Clear streams cut through the road and a small bridge suspends over it. The rustic village has a calm soothing effect.The village still retains the traditional house making style. Every gully springs up surprise. At one corner there’s this German bakery and at the next turn we’ve the traditional houses with cows. Foreign tourists who have only seen cows on the road in India looked overwhelmed like they were seeing a deer or a Nilgai.
Vashisht was named after Rishi Vashisht one of the seven sages of Hindu. Legend has it that the saddened Rishi Vashisht after learning that his children were killed by Vishwamitra tried to commit suicide. But the river refused to kill him. The river was therefore named as Vipasha which literally means ‘freedom from bondage’. It was later shortened to Beas River. He began mediating and vowed to start his life anew. The Vashisht temple which exists even today is believed to be more than 4000 years. It’s difficult to imagine how a place so old could remain so small. Perhaps the village is protected by its difficult landscapes. Vashisht temple is built in a traditional style with lots of intricate wood carvings. It is also most popular for hot springs which is believed to have medicinal value. There are separate bathing arrangement for men and women. According to another legend Lakshman who paid a visit realized that the sage had to go for long walks to take bath. He shot an arrow into the ground and hot water began to gush out. There’s another temple ancient stone temple known as Rama Temple adjacent to the Vashisht Temple.Vashisht village is considered an important place by the Hindus in India. The place is often associated with pilgrims.
Most shops in Vashisht sell woolen clothes. There are beautiful cafes and dining places all along the main street. Vashisht offers by far the best view of the Beas River and the Old Manali. Watching the river valley spread below at sunset leaves a lasting photographic image in my mind.
Naggar castle is the pride of Manali. Resting royally amidst a lush green forest, the castle is now a heritage hotel opened to tourists and to the people, willing to experience magnificence at its best. At the moment, it runs under the administration of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC). Built in 1460, by the king of Kullu, Raja Sidh singh, the castle is a beautiful concoction of European and Himalayan structural designs. If you know a little about architecture, visiting Naggar castle should be on top of the list as its construction follows rules of Kathkooni that intelligently combines both wood and stone beams to give life to any edifice. To add to the grandiose are the huge fireplaces within the castle that keep the entire place both warm and gay.
Reaching Naggar castle isn’t difficult even! It is located at 20 km. from Manali and at about 22 km from the bus stand. The nature enveloping the palace is equally beautiful. At one hand we have the huge snow covered mountains, on the other, there is Beas River stretched happily from one end to another. In easy words, Naggar Castle is a treat to the eyes and can be visited with both friends and families alike. The most important thing about the castle that not many people know of is the shrines erected within the premises of the castle. There are three shrines within the castle and each one of them is associated with deep religious meanings. The King of Kullu, Raja Sidh Singh, was known for his love for art and the painting by the world renowned painter, Nicholas Roerich, planted in his gallery, speaks for the same love. The castle remains open on all the days from 9AM TO 5PM and there is an entry fee of Rs. 20 as well.
Reaching Naggar castle isn’t difficult even! It is located at 20 km. from Manali and at about 22 km from the bus stand. The nature enveloping the palace is equally beautiful. At one hand we have the huge snow covered mountains, on the other, there is Beas River stretched happily from one end to another. In easy words, Naggar Castle is a treat to the eyes and can be visited with both friends and families alike. The most important thing about the castle that not many people know of is the shrines erected within the premises of the castle. There are three shrines within the castle and each one of them is associated with deep religious meanings. The King of Kullu, Raja Sidh Singh, was known for his love for art and the painting by the world renowned painter, Nicholas Roerich, planted in his gallery, speaks for the same love. The castle remains open on all the days from 9AM TO 5PM and there is an entry fee of Rs. 20 as well.
There is nothing more beautiful than the nature itself. But if you could add on a couple of man-made gems to it, the nature becomes even more beautiful. That is the story of Van Vihar too. Located in the heart of the mall road, Van Vihar is a municipality run public garden. It is famous far and wide for its Deodar trees and a manmade lake, built right in the middle of the forest. While the lush green trees provide the fresh air needed to rest and rejuvenate, the lake is a beauty to behold and get lost into. There are boats as well that let you travel through the Deodar forest and witness the charm of life & living firsthand. It is about 30 Rs. For 15 minutes of a boat ride.
From children to grandparents, Van Vihar holds a unique charm for everyone. It is perfect destination for couples trying to find some solace in middle of a crowd. The nature adds to the romance! Also, the sunsets here are quite popular among the localities. With the sun drowning in the backdrop, the lake and the trees take up a whole new mystical look that is hard to forget in this lifetime. The park opens at 8 in the morning and remains so till 5 PM in the evening. The entry to the park is Rs. 5 only and could be thus enjoyed happily by anyone and everyone. Van Vihar is only 750 meters from the bus stand and should therefore be the first place on your wishlist.
From children to grandparents, Van Vihar holds a unique charm for everyone. It is perfect destination for couples trying to find some solace in middle of a crowd. The nature adds to the romance! Also, the sunsets here are quite popular among the localities. With the sun drowning in the backdrop, the lake and the trees take up a whole new mystical look that is hard to forget in this lifetime. The park opens at 8 in the morning and remains so till 5 PM in the evening. The entry to the park is Rs. 5 only and could be thus enjoyed happily by anyone and everyone. Van Vihar is only 750 meters from the bus stand and should therefore be the first place on your wishlist.
Covered in lush green trees and multicoloured flowers, Solang valley is a true paradise on earth. It is located at about 14 km. from Manali and by all measures, is a place worth stopping by. The view from the mountains is amazing so much so that even after one has come over from the trip, they cannot ever quite forget the feeling of the mountains glinting from behind a blanket of white snow. Furthermore, this memory always fills people up with a rush of extreme pleasure & delight. Solang valley is pretty popular among the tourists for its summers and winters sports. From Parachuting to horse riding to paragliding, one can find almost every kind of sport here, to quench their love for adventure. And for those with an extra bit of appetite for style and gaming, there are the open jeeps too.
Don’t forget to use your bargaining skills on the photographers and the sports people as they often try to charge everyone exorbitantly in the beginning. It will be advisable to listen to other people before diving into anything. Will save you a lot of money! If you are running short on time and wish to finish off the trip without missing on the most important parts, Solang valley should be on top of the list. If you don’t want to miss out on any fun, it is advisable that you wake up and hit the valley the earliest in the morning, for as the crowd begins to pour in, you have to wait in queues for everything. The best time to visit the valley is between December and February. Make sure you keep enough woollen clothes with yourself while travelling to Manali as the temperature remains quite low during these months.
Don’t forget to use your bargaining skills on the photographers and the sports people as they often try to charge everyone exorbitantly in the beginning. It will be advisable to listen to other people before diving into anything. Will save you a lot of money! If you are running short on time and wish to finish off the trip without missing on the most important parts, Solang valley should be on top of the list. If you don’t want to miss out on any fun, it is advisable that you wake up and hit the valley the earliest in the morning, for as the crowd begins to pour in, you have to wait in queues for everything. The best time to visit the valley is between December and February. Make sure you keep enough woollen clothes with yourself while travelling to Manali as the temperature remains quite low during these months.
Adventure Sports & Activities in Manali
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 metre hill), paragliding, parachuting and horse riding. A Ski Himalayas Ropeway was recently opened. Going to the summit can be possible by ATVs, Ropeway or Climbing (Trekking) . Giant slopes of lawn comprise So-lang and provide its reputation as a popular ski resort. A few ski agencies offering courses and equipment reside here and operate only during winters. Solang is host to multiple activities both during summer and winter. It has a terrain suitable for various adventure activities and mountain sports. This world class ropeway and ski centre truly defines excitement and indulgence.
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