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Tourist attractions in Manali |
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The oft-visited site in Manali is the Hidimba or Dhungri Temple. Erected in 1533, this temple is dedicated to the local deity Hidimba, wife of the Pandava prince, Bhim.
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A major festival is held here in the month of May. The temple is noted for its four-storeyed pagoda and exquisite wooden carvings.
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Manali is known for its shiny gompas or Buddhist monasteries. With the highest concentration of Tibetan refugees in the entire Kullu valley, it is famous for its Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa, built in 1969.
The monastery is maintained by donations from the local community and through the sale of hand-woven carpets in the temple workshop.
The smaller and more modern Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa stands nearer the bazaar, in a garden blooming with sunflowers. Its main shrine, lit by dozens of electric bulbs and fragrant with Tibetan incense, houses a colossal gold-faced Buddha, best viewed from the small room on the first floor.
The Museum of Traditional Himachal Culture, near the Hidimba temple, is worth a visit, which houses artifacts of folk art of the entire Kullu valley.
Excursions
At a distance of 3 km northwest of Manali is Old Manali, famous for its orchards and old guesthouses. There is ruined fort here by the name of Manaligarh. There is also the Manu Maharishi Temple, dedicated to sage Manu.
Vaishisht, around 3 km from Manali, also boasts a pair of old stone temples, opposite each other above the main square. Dedicated to the local patron saint Vashista, the smaller of the two opens on to a partially covered courtyard, and is adorned with elaborate woodcarvings. Those lining the interior of the shrine, blackened by years of oil-lamp and incense smoke, are particularly fine. The temple tanks are underground hot-water/sulfur springs.
Rohtang Pass, at an altitude of 13,050 feet above sea level, is another adventure tourist site where it can be chilly even on summer day. Close by is a small lake called Dassaur Lake. Beas Kund, the source of river Beas, is also nearby.
Solang Nullah, 13 km northwest of Manali, is famous for its 300-meter ski lift. It is a picturesque spot and offers splendid views of glaciers and the snow-capped mountains. Jagatsukh, the former capital of Manali, is also an important spot.
Adventure Sports
Skiing is a major pastime in Manali. Facilities for skiing are available at Solang Nullah (January-March) and Rohtang La (during summer). The Mountaineering Institute at Solang Nullah is a good training institute. Heli skiing is possible at the deep snowfields.
The Mountaineering Institute and Allied Sports (Ph. 52342) is about 3 km from the Mall and offers mountaineering and kayaking courses. Kayaking is possible on the Beas River.
There are several good hikes from Manali. The 12-km hike up the western banks of the Beas to the Solang Valley is noteworthy. Lama Dugh meadow is a 6-km hike up to the Manalsu Nala, west of Manali town.
In the summers, several travel agencies organize paragliding on the slopes of the Solang Nullah. The charges generally include accommodation, food, equipment, and a guide, but not transport. From May to July and, depending on the monsoons, from mid-September to mid-October, some basic rafting is possible on the Beas. The trips generally begin at Pirdi and continue 16 km down to Jhiri.
The HPTDC provides day permits for fishing. Permits can be obtained also at Patlikhul. Angling in the Kullu valley is possible at Larji, Katrain and Kasol.
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