Manali Hill Station

Surrounded by lovely snow-capped peaks, the ancient town of Manali lies within the Kullu Valley and is famous all over India as a charming hill station. It is also a nice location for adventure lovers. Enjoying a high altitude of 6250 feet, this lovely hill station of India is known for its beauty highlighted with the surrounding dense pinewoods and high peaks shining with silvery white snow. The splendor of this charming place lies in Beas River that flows through this region.

Manali lies nearly 108 km from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh and serves as the main tourist spot of the state. The town derived its named from Manu – a mythological character and a sage – who said to have recreated life on earth (in Manali) after the whole world was submerged in water. As a result, this place is considered to be a highly sacred place by Hindus.  One can also find a temple dedicated to Manu in Manali.

Manali apart from being a preferred honeymoon town, also acts as a nice location to enjoy adventure sports. Many international tourists during their India trip visit the region to enjoy different adventure sports such as heli skiing, trekking, mountaineering, rafting paragliding and many other adventurous activities. Rohtang Pass makes an interesting excursion from Manali. This high altitude pathway linking Kullu with Lahaul and Spiti offers stunning views of the surrounding glaciers and the landscape.

Main Tourist Attractions of Manali

Hidimba Temple
Hidimba Temple, the oldest shrine of the town and located within the dense forest, is the most significant religious site for Hindus in the town. Dedicated to Hidimba, the wife of Bhima, the temple consists of a four-story platform. The forest within which the temple is located is known as Dhunagiri Van Vihar. Woodcarvings of various mythological creatures, ibex horns at the entrance, Shiva’s trishul are the main features of this temple. This is surely a must see place during the Manali tour.

Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa
Standing elegantly within the Tibetan area in Manali, this gompa was constructed in 1960s by the group of refugees from Tibet. The best features of the gompa are colored frescoes, a statue of Buddha and golden finials at the top. Within the small workshop of the temple are made and sold hand-woven carpets.

Apart from these sites, you can also explore many other interesting places during Manali tour including Mountaineering Institute, Nehru Kund, Temple of Manu, Tibetan Temple, Vashist Village, Arjun Gufa, Jagatsukh temple, Old Manali, Rahalla Falls, Kullu Cultural Museum, and Gulaba Camp.

How to Reach Manali
Manali is well connected to rest of India and is easily accessible. Buses and taxis are  available to Manali from Delhi, Chandigarh and other cities of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. The nearest airport lies at Bhuntar (nearly 50 km away). Buses and taxis are available from the airport to Manali town. The nearest railway station at Joginder Nagar lies about 94 km from Kullu. Private taxi is the best way to drive to Manali from nearby cities and to enjoy the beauty of Kullu valley during the journey.

Best Time to Visit Manali
Manali is known for its cold climate. The winter period from mid-November to February is usually very harsh in the region. During this period, the temperature drops below the freezing mark. The best months of the year for Manali trip are April to June and then September to mid-October when the weather remains pleasant and temperatures are also within the bearable range.