Oktatabyebye

Of the many interesting spots in Manali, the Tibetan Monasteries deserve a special mention, for they’re the most colourful and decorative, and fascinate the kids and adults alike. Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa is one, and is known to house a workshop for hand-woven carpets – it is in fact funded by the sale of these carpets. It is interesting to watch and take photos –to show back home – of the Lamas in prayer, them practicing dance, singing and playing on pipes and horns.

Nearer to the bazaar, in a garden blooming with sunflowers, is the Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa. The main shrine, lit by dozens of electric bulbs and fragrant with Tibetan incense, houses a colossal gold-faced Buddha, best viewed from the small room on the first floor. Another interesting place to visit is the Dhungri or Hadimba Temple, noted for its four-storeyed pagoda and exquisite wooden carvings. Erected in 1533, this temple is dedicated to the local deity Hadimba, wife of the Pandava prince, Bhim. Surrounded by  Dhungri Van Vihar, a lovely Deodar forest, the place is nice to explore on foot. Also located within vicinity is the Museum of Traditional Himachal Culture, worth a visit for artifacts of folk art of the entire Kullu valley.

Vashisht, situated just across the river, is famous for its hot sulfur springs, a bath here is said to be beneficial for health, and leaves one rejuvenated. HPTDC runs a Hot Bath Complex with private baths costing Rs 35 a person for 30 minutes.

The Mall Road or the shopping street sells amazing artifacts plus a variety of locally made pickles, jams and juices. Natural oil like apricot oil for massages and shampoos are also sold, also any number of places to buy clothes and souvenirs. Many interesting eateries dot the street and cater to various cuisines, some dishing foreign fare and playing trance/lounge music for you to sample and buy. Then, there are those video-game parlours for kids who can’t live without their video-games.

Solang, which in winter is a skiing area, come summers and it’s frequently used for holding camps by trekking parties, for treks further up to the source of the Solang Nala, said to be the nearest glacier to Manali. Rock-climbing & Parasailing camps are also held during the summer months and add another dimension to the verdant splendor of its landscape. The valley is visited by tourists doing the Rohtang circuit.

Rohtang Pass is located at quite an altitude - roughly 4000 mts – and can be treated as a vantage point with brilliant views of the surrounding snow capped mountains. The pass provides a natural cultural divide between middle Himalayas and its primarily Hindu culture, with the dry desert uplands further north; and its mainly Buddhist and Tibetan-influenced culture.

Nagar, or the old capital of Kullu kingdom era is located 20 kms south of the town of Manali. It has the Nagar Castle (now a Himachal Tourism hotel) which attracts tourists for its architecture and location.. One gets the best views of the Beas valley from its restaurant.

The Roerich gallery, a little outside the Nagar village, is another major tourist attraction. The art of late Nicholas Roerich, an internationally known Russian painter, who lived in Nagar and died in the 1940s, has been put on display. The Krishna Temple, up a small hill in Nagar, is also worth visiting to appreciate the old style of pahari temple architecture in which it’s built.

Manikaran in the Parvati valley (Parvati being a tributary to the river Beas) is famous for its hot springs, which are also considered holy. Manikaran is also a pilgrimage spot for the Hindus and the Sikhs, with thousands of them visiting the place for a  holy dip in the hot waters here. The water is so hot that dal, rice & vegetables etc. can be cooked in it. The Ramchandra and Shivaji temples, besides a Gurudwara, are the major attraction of the place.

By Air: Nearest airport is at Bhuntar (Kullu) (50kms).

By Rail: Nearest convenient rail heads are Chandigarh (320 km) and Pathankot (325 km). Manali can be reached from road from these stations.

By Road: Manali is well connected by road with Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Haridwar, Shimla, Dharamsala and Chamba/Dalhousie. Regular buses ply between these stations. It is connected with Leh during July to October.
Driving directions from Delhi to Manali

Best time to visit Manali: Best all year round, though Rohtang Pass is open only in July and August