Welcome to the abode of Gods. Manali is a prized destination cradled in the arms of the mighty Himalayas in the State of Himachal Pradesh in India. It is particularly famous due to its proximity to the snowline. The hill station is surrounded by gorgeous snow-covered peaks with the river Beas gurgling through the town. The picturesque landscape leads one to think of heaven.

Manali is located 40 kilometers ahead of Kullu valley on the Leh Highway. It was the favourite summer retreat for former Prime Minister, Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. If you are looking to rewind yourself, Manali is the ideal destination for you. You are likely to be gripped by the mesmerizing charm of the place accompanied by its serene surroundings.

Listen to the wind blowing through the pine forests and find the river singing lullabies at night. Feel the presence of the creator through the bounties of nature, Manali has to offer. Dwell amid the blissful surroundings and sink in the fragrance of Deodar and Pine trees or simply head for a nature walk on the banks of the Beas listening to tales immortal.

Manali is a reservoir of several herbs used for medicinal purposes and abounds in various gifts nature has to offer. It is a much sought after tourist destination by foreigners and locals alike.

Tours from Manali:
Manali is the hub of tourists who visit India to explore the mighty Himalayas. From mountaineering to rafting, trekking to skiing, it has all kinds of adventure sports and activities to suit the deeds of different kinds of tourists. Several short tours are organized from Manali to nearby places:

Manali-Rohtang
Nehru Kund: This is the first halt on the way to the mighty Rohtang. It is a cold water spring named after Late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The water here is chilling and offers a number of health benefits. This spot is located 6 kilometers ahead of Manali.

Solang Valley: This picturesque valley is surrounded by snow caped peaks and beautifu orchids with a splendid view. The panorama is breathtaking. It is also a famous picnic spot where you can laze for endless hours under the sun and relax. Numerous silver oak trees outline international skiing slopes with a small ropeway. One can also enjoy horse-riding here.

Kothi: This quiet and extremely scenic spot provides a historical episode into the early annals of Kullu. Here you can grab a bite at the restaurant or simply gaze at the locals capturing the simplicity of country lifestyle.

Gulaba Camp: This gorgeous valley of flowers is famous for sightseeing, photography and picnicking.

Rahala Fall: Watch the Beas River flowing from a height of 50 meters. It is a charming picnic spot.

Marhi: The place is famous for its natural beauty and has a number of hotels and dhabas (roadside eating joint) for breakfast, lunch and snacks.

Rani Nala: It is a famous glacier point where snow can be seen all 12 months.

Rohtang Pass: It is located 51 kilometers from Manali and is the highest point on the road. It offers limited skiing and trekking opportunities at an altitude of 4112 meter. On the Keylong to Leh highway, the pass exhibits a widespread panorama of mountain scenery almost directly opposite to the well-defined Sonepani glacier slightly left the twin peaks of the Geypan.

Manali-Manikaran
Vaishno Temple: A small cave with the shrine of Goddess Vaishno. Other temples are dedicated to lord Shiva, Rama and Krishna.

Angora Rabbit Farm: Different varieties of Angora shawls are available here. You can shop some of the most exquisite world class Angora wool sweaters blankets and shawls here.

Kullu Shawls Weaving Industries: The Kullu shawls industries produces export quality handicrafts like hand woven shawls, wall hangings, Kullu caps, mufflers and jackets.

Kasol Valley: It is a mesmerizing spot located on an open space sloping down to a broad expanse of clear white sand at the edge of the river Parvati.

Manikaran: The place is famous for its hot water springs that trace their origin to a legend. The water has medicinal properties and is so hot that one can easily cook rice and dal in it. It is also a famous pilgrimage spot on account of the famous gurudwara Manikaran Sahib and Hindu temple. According to a legend Manikaran is also associated with lord Shiva and his divine consort Parvati lost and found her earring here.

Manali- Naggar
Jagatsukh Temple: It is a famous shikhara style Shiva temple, Gayatri Devi and Sharvali created by the Pandavas.

Naggar Castle: It is the old capital of Kullu. The castle was built by Raja Bhosal, which has been converted into a hotel under HPTDC.

Roerich Art Gallery: It houses a collection of paintings of the Russian artist, Nicholas Roerich.

Manali Local Sightseeing:
Hadimba Temple: This temple was built in 1550 AD in a forest grove. It has a pagoda shaped roof and a front doorway covered with figures and symbols.

Tibetan Monastery: It is a small monastery with a peaceful clerring and enshrines the image the Buddha and some exquisite tangkhas. It is famous for carpet weaving and Tibetan handicrafts.

Club House: It is a beautiful building covered with a flower lawn. The river Beas flows nearby.

Vashisht Temple: It is a fair size village located on the left bank of the Beas renowned for its hot sulphur water spring and temple of Vashist Rishi and lord Rama.

Manu Maharishi Temple: It is situated in old Manali Village at a distance of 2 kilometers from the bus stand. This is the only temple of Manu, the great Hindu lawgiver and is easily approachable by road.

The Flea market: It is the hub of foreigners in old Manali. You can find exclusive handicrafts out here.

Old Manali: It is a fascinating array of beautiful wooden houses and gives an insight into the culture of the people of Himachal. There are beautiful temples of Tibetan origin located between old and new Manali.

Mall Road: Take a stroll on the famous Mall Road lined with all sorts of shops and restaurants. The Manali tourist office and Bust stand are located here.

Where to Stay: There are a number of hotels and guest housed where you can check in. The budget ranges between Rs 500 to 5000.

Discos and Pubs: You can hop over to the discotheque at Apple Valley Resort or Manali Inn for a jam-packed night. The Khyber Pass, located on the Mall Road is a cozy pub, which gives a picturesque view of the surroundings.

Adventure sports
Manali offers various adventure sports from paragliding, heliskiing, mountaineering to trekking. You can climb a number of peaks in this region without having to pay any royalty. Some of the famous trekking options are Hamta Pass, Beas Kund, Ladakh, and Lahaul-Spiti.

Reaching Manali:
Manali is 550 kilometers from Delhi and is well connected with major cities by road. It is close to Shimla, Dharamshala and Leh. The nearest broad gauge rail is at Ambala (200 kilometers).

By air one can reach the Palam domestic Airport at Kullu and then drive to Manali by shared taxis or buses. The taxi fare is Rs 5 per kilometer.

Air Deccan and Jagson Airlines operate the flights from Delhi to Kullu.

Must Buys:
Chinkoo: It is a famous Kashmiri handicraft, which comprises of a lambskin blanket and is given on a lease period of two years and above. The set consists of a Kashmiri carpet, two blankets, an angora wool blanket, a bed cover and an embroidered suit and shawl. 90 percent of the money will be returned on giving the blanket after two years of use.

Shawls: Kullu shawls are made of the best angora wool in the market. They are reasonable and worth buying.

Accessories: If you are one of those fashion freaks, do not miss the antique jewellery with semi-precious stones studded in it.

Suits: Beautifully embroidered suits are a must-buy from Manali.

Things to carry:
Heavy woolens for the snow covered areas and mild woolens for the day.
Sunglasses.
Walking shoes.
Torch
First Aid

Additional information:
Do not use polythene bags in Manali as they are strictly banned. Carry only paper bags and do not litter.
Do not drink and drive. The turns are extremely sharp and you might end up in a pit.

A note:
Manali is a resplendent hill station surrounded by mighty peaks and lush forests. It is a prized tourist destination that never fails to attract Indian as well as foreign tourists in large numbers. The biggest fault is that the roads are bad and are poorly maintained by the government. One has to pay the toll tax at quite a few places which amounts to over Rs 500 but where does the money go?

The roads are having steep curves and mighty slopes and good infrastructure is a primary requirement. The shabby condition of roads results in a number of accidents and casualties.

Caution:
One needs to beware of the local tourist guides in the city, as they are known to mislead tourists. Manali is famous for Manala grass and drug peddlers. Do not purchase anything from the local guides if you suspect even the slightest danger.

Submitted by greenaleandink@yahoo.com