Manali is the Northern end of the Kullu Valley and is the main resort in the area. It is beautifully situated and there are many pleasant walks around the town. Surrounded by towering peaks at arm length, Manali’s major asset is its proximity to the snowline, never more than few hours drive from the town nestling at comfortable 2050meters. It is the center of the flourishing orchard industry a popular honeymoon destination and trailhead for numerous treks.
A veritable showpiece of nature with its unspoilt scenic beauty Manali can be made the headquarters of mountain holiday with hikes, climbs and picnics punctuated with sun-bathing, fishing and just plain lotus eating. there are many apple orchards and fruit gardens near the lovely town which are mainly planted by British settlers, one of the biggest ones being owned by Mr. Banon.
Winding paths through forests and glades is the setting for the Dhoongri wooden temple which stands concealted in forest of magnificent deodats. Legend has been woven around this temple as indeed, it is inextricable from the life of these cheerful people who over the centuries, have propitaed powerful mountain gods.
City Info
Area: 5.12 sq. km Altitude: 1,926 meters Climate: (deg C)-Summer- Max. 25, Min. 12. Winter- Max. 14.5, Min. 2 Clothing: Summer- Light woollens for both the places, Winter- Heavy woollens for both the places Best Season: April to Mid-July and Sep. to Nov. for both the places Languages Spoken: Pahari (Local Dialect), Hindi, English. Population: N/A
It is a newest land mark situated, around 1.5 Km from Tourist Bureau (bus stand), just at the foot of old Manali village with all modern amenities required for holidaying elites. As you ener in the club you are not in less than five start comfort and luxury and greeted by smiling, courteous staff of Himachal Tourism Development Corporation at reception. The club provides indoor and outdoor games, conference facility with a multi purpose hall, Billiard, table Tennis, Card Room, Carom tables, of course with the permission and nominal fee. It has well stocked Bar and a Restaurant for the gourmet.
Vashisht Hot Sulphur Spring
Across the Beas river about 3.2 Km away from Manali bus stand at an altitude of 1,982 meters just above the Manali-Keylong road and down below the temple are the hot sulphur spring, anmed as Vashisht, endowed with great healing powers. Nearby is the pyramidal stone temple dedicated to Vashishta Muni. Turkish style shower fitted bathrooms, separate for ladies and gents have been built closeby where the hot and cold water is separately piped, maintaining the regular temperature for bathing, charges are nominal. There is a cafetaria
Mountaineering Institute
The Mountaineering Institute located at Manali provides training facilities for basic and advance climbing both for Indian nationals and foreigners. This institute also conducts other adcenturous sports activities like high altitude trekking, minor mountaineering, rock climbing, skiing and high altitude rescue and relief courses. The institute has sufficient lodging and boarding arrangements and equipments can be hired for trekking purposes.
Arjun Gufa
The legendary cave, 5 Km from Manali, where Arjun practised austerities to get Pashupata Ashtra (weapon) from lord Indra.
Bara Shingri Glacier
The mouth of this glacier is 4 km from Batal, on the left bank of the Chandra River. Here the Shingri stream emerges from beneath an iridescent archway of ice.
Nehru Kund
A spring of clear cold water named, after the late Prime Minister Jawahar lal Nehru is 6 Km from Manali on Manali-Keylong road.
Solang Valley
A splended valley between Manali and Kothi, offers the views of the glaciers and snow-capped mountain peaks. 13 Km from Manali, it has good skiing slopes equipped with an excellent lift. Located here is also a hostel of the Department of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, manali and ANTREK Campsite Resort with all modern amenities.
Kothi
Kothi is quiet but picturesque spot, at the foot of the 13,400 ft Rohtang Pass, about 12 Km away from Manali town, situated on the Lahaul - Spiti - Leh Highway. It used to be the camping place when the pass had to be climed on foot and it is now accessible by bus, jeep or pony. There is beautiful P.W.D. Rest House amidst open surrounding, affording a magnificent view of the snow-capped peaks and glaciers. Close to the Rest House, is an awe-inspiring gorge where the Beas enters a chasm about sixty one metre deep and just a few metres broad.
Rahalla Falls
About 4 Km away from Kothi and 16 Km from Manali Town, at the start of the climb to the Rohtang Pass, are the beautiful Rahalla water falls at an altitude of 2,501 metres. It is approachable by bus, jeep or pony.
Rohtang Pass
Situated about 51 Km from Manali town at an altitude of 4,111 metres on the highway to Keylong, is Rohtang Pass. Now regular bus ervice plies over it from Manali to Keylong in Lahaul district. Here one sees the majesty of the mountains at its height and splendour. At the top of the Pass the air seems to glitter against the snow as you look down over herringboned ridges into the Lahaul Valley. There is a beautiful Dashohar Lake left to the pass, where pilgrims go every eyar on the auspicious day of 20th Bhandon. This is the only access to Lahaul valley. The pass is open from June to September each year although trekkers can cross the pass a little earlier.
Beas Kund
The famous Beas Kund, the source of the Beas river, at the Rohtang Pass is easily accessible. The great Vyas Rishi performed 'tapa' here during the Mahabharat Kal. The place is still hallowed by the celestial light. It was because of this that the river got the present name of Beas.
Jagatsukh
It is one of the biggest villages in Kullu district. Jagatsukh is on the left bank of the Beas and the road from Naggar to manali runs through the village. Jagatsukh is 12 Km from Naggar and 6 Km from Manali. The place is famous for every old temples, in the village, particularly the Shiva Temple in Shikhara style and nearby old and interesting Devie Sharvali Temple. Originally known as Nast, it remained the ancient capital of Kullu for about ten generations. It is famous for the annual Chachohli Jatra Festival. The first as well as the second revolutions against the Thakurs and Ranas were embarked upon from this historic place. It is a popular belief that the first paddy sapling in the valley was introduced from here and even now various operations of pady cultivations are celebrated from here.
Tibetan Monastery
It is new and colourful. A pleasant place to visit. It is famous for carpet weaving. Visitors can buy carpets and other Tibetan handicrafts from here.
How to get there
The nearest airport is Bhunter which is about 50 km and 10 Km beyond Kullu. Archana Airways and Jagson Airways operate daily flights from Delhi to Kullu & Shimla & Kullu.
By Rail
The nearest rail head is Chandigarh which is 320 km away.
By Road
It is well connected by road from Chandigarh and Delhi and situated on National Highway No 21. Regular buses, coaches and taxies play from Delhi and Chandigarh.