Destination Features

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.