40 kms. away from Kulu to
the north, Manali is situated near the end
of the valley on the National Highway
leading to Leh. The landscape here is breath
taking. One sees well-defined snow capped
peaks, the Beas river with its clear water
meanders through the town. On the other side
are deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and
fruit orchards. It is an excellent place for
a holiday, a favorite resort for trekkers to
Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur, Leh and Zanskar
regions in Kashmir valley. It is known as
the SWITZERLAND OF INDIA.
Manali is Situated
at the northen end of the Kullu Valley, Manali
has spectacular views of snowcapped peaks and
wooded slopes. The Beas rushes along its rocky
course amid grassy meadows carpeted with wild
flowers and wagtails hop along from stone to
stone along the stream's edge. There are
marvellous walks too, through dappled orchards
and fairy-tale forests of deodar.
The Manali market is
crowded with myriads of interesting shops
selling Tibetan carpets and crafts and the
appetizing aroma of steaming noodles hangs about
the little restaurants. Manali, with its
Mountaineering Institute, is a popular base for
trekking and mountaineering in summer and skiing
in winter. Interesting routes into the
surrounding valleys, over the high passes, are
provided with tourist huts and rest houses for
trekking enthusiasts.
Sightseeing Around Manali:
Hadimba
Temple:
This ancient
Hadimba temple is a very sacred place for the
locals. It is said that Bhim met the demon
Hadimba here and married her. The pandavas were
here during their exile.
Manu
Temple:
This temple is
situated in the original village of Manali now
called old Manali. Manu in Hindu mythology was
the creator of the universe. The name Manali is
derived from Manu. Though the approach to the
temple is not good, it is a good place to visit.
Manali
sanctuary:
The Manali
sanctuary starts from behind the town square and
goes up in the mountains behind Manali. There is
a biodiversity trail for the visitors, which
showcases all the flora and fauna.
Solang Nallah:
Solang Nallah is a lush green
meadow sloped to provide a perfect ski venue. It
comes alive during the winter months for ski
lovers and during the summer months it is a
heaven for Paragliding, trekking and camping. It
is just 13 Kms from Manali and 4 Kms from
Whispering Rocks resort.
Rohtang
Pass:
This majestic
pass is 51 Kms from Manali at a height of 13800
feet. It is covered in snow for most part of the
year and therefore a major attraction for
tourists. |