Destination Features

When the scorching heat of the plains in summer make people think of an escape – 8 out of 10 times I see people heading to Manali or to Shimla. A favourite among honeymooners and those looking for cooler climes – Manali is an ideal getaway in Himachal Pradesh. But it is not only in the peak summer that people go to Manali, I have seen a lot of my friends making a beeline to Manali with personal cars or rented ones in the months of December and January too. Manali has scenic beauty and an irresistible appeal that draw people to this small town located 274 kilometers north of Shimla.

Its close proximity to the snow-line in the lap of the Kullu valley makes it a popular tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh. Manali stands at an altitude of 2,050 meters above sea level. The Beas River that flows through the town accentuates its scenic beauty. Manali is an easy and beautiful summer retreat away from the scorching heat of the northern plains. Also called ‘Valley of the Gods,’ Manali literally means the ‘abode Manu,’ a mythological character who believed to have survived when the whole world had submerged under the flood. It is he who recreated the human life at Manali. This has made Manali a pilgrimage spot for Hindus. It also has a number of Buddhist monasteries as well.

Manali is just not a two dimensional tourist destination; it has other facets as well.

Apart from the beautiful views of the snow covered peaks, Manali also offers good options for adventure tourism. One can try skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, trekking and mountain biking in and around Manali. It also has amazing snowfields and some flourishing apple orchards.

Manali is a refreshing getaway and first choice for those who want to see and touch snow for the first time. There are plenty of other exciting things to do in Manali. It is a typical tourist destination, where you get to do all sort of activities. Shopping, dress & photo in traditional Himachali costume, sit on a Yak & get yourself clicked, hold a rabbit in your lap and get yourself clicked again, learn skiing and stumble, try ice skating, go paragliding, visit ancient temples, and go for a trek. The multitude of options available in Manali makes it popular tourist spot among people of all age groups.

Manali Facts File - Best time to go and useful information

Location: At the confluence of the Beas and Manalsu in Kullu, Manali is in northern Himachal Pradesh

Climate: Summers are cool with cool breezes blowing, while winters are cold as snow engulfs the region

Altitude: 2050 mt above sea level

Local languages: Hindi and Himachali

Phone Code: 01902

Best time to visit: Mid-April to end-June, September to mid-November. Rohtang is usually open from July to September

Tourist Office

HPTDC
36, Chandralok Building, Janpath New Delhi

Tel: 011-23325320, 23325233

Sightseeing in Manali

There are a number of places of tourist interest that you can visit in Manali, the well known of all being the Hadimba Temple.  There are other places as well, which you can check out in Manali.

Hadimba Temple: The temple is also known as the Dhoongri Temple and is dedicated to Goddess Hadimba, wife of Bhima (one of the five Pandavas of Mahabharatha). Built around a natural cave, the temple enshrines the footprints of the goddess, which was the patron goddess of the Kullu royal family. Hidimba Temple has a four tiered Pagoda shaped roof and a doorway carved with legendary figures and symbols. The temple was built in 1553 is located in the middle of a forest called Dhungiri Van Vihar.

Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa: Another beautiful place to visit is the Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa, which was built by Tibetan refugees in the 1960s. The monastery is embellished in bright coloured frescoes and has a mid-sized Buddhist statute. It also has a list of Tibetan martyrs killed in the Tibetan occupation of 1987-89.The monastery is located at the bottom of the Mall dominating the Tibetan area.

Temple of Manu: Dedicated to Maharishi Rishi Manu, the creator of the human race when the world had submerged and from where Manali drives its name, the Temple of Manu is about 3 kilometers from the main bazaar at Old Manali. Mythology on the recreation of humans says that Maharishi Manu stepped off his ark in Manali to recreate human life after a great flood had deluged the world.

Tibetan Monasteries: Manali has a sizeable population of Tibetan people and over a period of time, many Tibetan monasteries have been set up here. The Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa is situated near the Mall in Manali. It is a good place to check Tibetan handicrafts that are woven and sold in the monastery. The another popular monastery in Manali is the Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa, which is situated near the market.

Arjun Gufa: Just 5 kilometers away from Manali, the cave stands near Prini village, on the banks of the Beas. According to a popular belief Arjuna practiced penance and mediated here to gain the Pashupata Ashtra or weapon from Lord Indra.

Things to do in Manali

Manali offers a plethora of options to travellers. For the action oriented there are opportunities to try your hand on various adventure sports others can simply stroll down the mall and take in the beautiful views.

Shopping is a popular thing to do in Manali is renowned for its Himalayan handicrafts and wool products. Good buys like musical instruments, prayer wheels, rosaries amulets, masks, and thangkas are a favourite with the tourists. The Tibetan Market here has a wide collection of beautifully woven shawls including the famous Pashmina shawl. You can check out the Kullu-Kashmir Shawl Emporium, a cooperative run by local women for shawls. The Mall as the main market is called is a cluster of shops, hotels, restaurants and travel agents. The main shopping areas here are Thai Market, Hong Kong Market, Dragon Shopping Complex, Tibetan Market, Lama Underground, Shopping Complex, Shangrila Shopping Complex, New NAC Market and Snow Lion Underground Market.

Adventure Sports is another exciting thing to do in Manali. There are places where you can try paragliding, trekking, skiing, mountaineering, rock climbing, angling, ice skating and jeep safari.

Visit nearby places: You can also explore a number of close tourist attractions, which include Vashisth, a village 3 km away known for its old temples and hot water springs. It also has traditional timber houses.

Jagatsukh, 6 km away is popular for its ‘Shikara’ style Shiva temple. It was once the ancient capital of Kullu. Jagatsukh is one of the biggest villages in Kullu district with old guesthouses and orchards. It is also known for its annual Chachohli Jatra Festival.

Rohtang Pass, 51 km from Manali and at an altitude of 3978 meters is perhaps the most popular day excursion from Manali. Rohtang Pass offers a panoramic view of the surrounding hills apart from the huge glaciers. The pass is open from June to October each year.

Hotels in Manali

Since Manali is quite popular among tourists and well commercialise, there are a number of hotels in Manali. It is wise to book your hotel in advance, if you are traveling in peak season. Some of the good hotels to stay in Manali are Snow Crest Manor (01902-253351-54), Bannon Resort (01902-253026), Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Hotels’ in Manali – Log Huts and Hamta Cottages (01902-252407).

Reaching Manali

Air: The nearest airport is Bhuntar in Kullu about one and a half hour’s drive from Manali. Not all airlines fly to Bhuntar, only a few do. Please find out before you decide to fly to Manali.

Rail: The nearest railhead is Chandigarh at 310 kilometers and Jogindarnagar at 180 kilometers, which has a narrow gauge track.

Road: Manali is 570 from Delhi, from Shimla the distance is 280 km. From Delhi, there is a regular HPTDC Luxury and Volvo Coach to Manali from Janpath. There is one that leaves Janpath at 7 pm and reaches Manali at 10 am.

Driving route to Manali from Delhi

- Start at Delhi and hit the Outer Ring Road and take GT Karnal Road

- Then take NH1 and proceed to Ambala

- At Ambala, change to NH22 towards Chandigarh

- At Chandigarh take NH21 that will take you to Manali

- On the way you'll cross Bilaspur, Mandi, Kullu before reaching Manali.