Travel to Manali

Manali is located between 32.2396°N, and 77.1887°E, with an elevation range from 1,800 m to 2,050 m above sea level. It is about 40 km towards the north of Kullu town in District Kullu in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India.

Manali, in the Beas River valley, is a hill station about 270 km from Shimla and 570 km from New Delhi with the population of about 30,000. As of 2001 census, the population was 6265.

The town is situated on an ancient silk route or trade route to Ladakh. A road that leads from Manali to Ladakh goes to Rohtang pass and further through the valley of Lahaul and Spiti.

CLIMATE- During winter, the temperature goes below freezing point. The temperature range throughout the year is, −15 °C to 05 °C in the winter, and 04 °C to 15 °C in summer.

Monthly rainfall varies from 31 mm in November to 217 mm in July. On an average, about 45 mm rainfall is received during the months of winter and spring, which increases to about 115 mm in summer when the annual monsoons arrive. The total average rainfall is 1,363 mm. The snowfall occurs in the month of December and up to January or early February.

It is a picturesque hill station among perennial snow covered mountains nestling among the dense deodar and pine woods with the noise of the perpetual gushing waters of the meandering Beas River right from its glacial source.

The splendor of Manali lies in the rustic atmosphere of conifer gradients and apple orchards.

This hill resort has been sandwiched between the imposing and grand peaks of Pir Panjal on one hand and the Dhauladhar Ranges on the other.

The land and the entire province of Himachal Pradesh is the abode of numerous local gods and goddesses.

Various colorful festivals and fairs are held in the valley throughout the year, and the most popular among them is the international fair of Kullu Dussehra.

The high mountain ranges of Manali are bounded by blizzards and deep rocky ravines which impart it a peculiar halo.

The cool and gentle winds blows in the forests; the vast avenues of apple orchards; the lush green meadows with breathtaking scenery; the small rivulets meeting at their confluence with the river Beas; the shepherds with their herds and sprightly kids; the aboriginal tribes with their peculiar customs and manners; small hamlets and rural aroma in sparse settlements; the unique flora and fauna; all impart a special charm to the majestic attractions of Manali.

Besides natural beauty, other interesting activities are also in store here, like mountaineering, trekking, skiing, paragliding, heli-skiing, white water rafting, snow-biking, artifacts shopping etc

The virgin hill treks to the adjacent valleys is a charm and an unforgettable experience for those who cherish to be alone, in the midst of blossoming greens and mystic valleys.

The Bhuntar airport is 50 km from Manali; from where the Regular taxi and bus services are available.

The Chandigarh airport is the nearest international airport.

The nearest narrow gauge railway station is Joginder Nagar which is 165 km away from Manali.

The other broad gauge railway station is Chandigarh at a distance of 310 km.

The distance by road from Delhi is 570 km and that from Shimla is 280 km.

From Delhi, the regular Bus services are available to Manali.

Manali is named after a sage named " Manu".

There is an old temple dedicated to Manu in old Manali town.

In old times, the ares was sparsely inhabited by the nomadic hunter tribes called "rakshas".

Then the shepherds arrived from the Kangra valley and got settled here and took up agriculture as their profession.

Other aborigines of the region were the 'naur' community.

The English people introduced apple farming and trout fish in the area which were till then alien to the native flora and fauna.

Now a days plum and pear are also cultivated here.

Known as the queen of valleys,

Manali has achieved great significance in tourist places of India.

Hadimba temple,built in 1553 having a beautiful four tiered pagoda roof and exquisitely carved doorways.

Manu temple, dedicated to the sage Manu and situated at old Manali.

Vashist hot water springs and temples are located in a small village with natural sulphur springs and old temples of sage Vashist and Lord Rama. There are modern bathhouses fitted with Turkish showers.

Jogini falls are situated near the Vashist temple. There is a trekking route to go to the top of the falls.

Monasteries, recently built Tibetans in Manali are maintained by donations and sale of hand-woven carpets made in the workshop of the monastery.

Manali Gompa was built by the Buddhist monks and the monks come to this place from far off places. It is famous for a large statue of Buddha and its wall paintings.

Jagatsukh, the erstwhile capital of princely state Kullu having old temples of Lord Shiva and Sandhya Gayatri. The famous Arjun caves are also located here.

Solang valley,a beautiful place with nice ski slopes and picnic spots. There is a ski lift which goes up to 300-meter from where the view of glaciers and the snow covered mountains is a beautiful experience. Other attractions are paragliding, snorkeling etc.

Rohtang pass, is the highest point on the Manali-Keylong road at an altitude of 3979 m above sea level. It is the famous adventure tourist site where the weather remains cold even on a hot summer day. The place provides a wide and breath taking panoramic view of mountain ranges rising even above the clouds. A small snow water fed lake called Dassaur Lake and the source of river Beas known as Beas Kund is also situated nearby. The road to Rohtang Pass remains closed in winter.Beas Kund is an igloo shaped temple.

Rozy Falls are situated on the way to Rohtang. These amazing water falls are worth seeing and fall look amazing between the high cliffs.

Kalath hot water springs are natural springs where hot water containing contents of sulphur gushes out naturally from the earth.

Nehru Kund, a clear water spring.

Rahalla water falls, at at altitude of 2500 m above sea level.

Naggar Castle hosts the world famous Roerich Art gallery and the Hotel Castle.

Zana Falls are 15 Km from Naggar Castle. The place is wonderful from where the valley provides amazing view.