Hii friends! I am back with my new blog on the Paradise of India-Manali. In this blog I will post about Manali, it’s tourist attractions, festivals the locals celebrate and also the things to do in Manali. I will also post about my personal experience in Manali. I am sure you will get mesmerized by the magical beauty of Manali from the comfort of your homes…..
About Manali
“Nature is Painting for us, Day after Day, Pictures of Infinite Beauty.”
A Gift of Himalayas to the World, Manali is a beautiful hill station nestled in the picturesque Beas River Valley. Manali is known for it’s Cool Climate and Snow-capped Mountains, offering relief to tourists escaping scorching heat of plains. Manali is now one of the most popular destinations of India owing to it’s cool and calm atmosphere.
The Peaceful surroundings and Pleasant weather in Manali attracts lots of tourists and honeymooners during the hot summers of India. Manali is also famous for Adventure lovers who come here to try various thrilling activities. Manali is charming and pleasant throughout the year but the best time to visit is from October to December and from March to July. If you have ever imagined sitting beside the Gushing Water of a Snow-fed Stream, or waking up to a Glorious Sunrise with breathtaking views to soak in, Manali is the place to be!!
Famous Tourist Attractions
1. Rohtang Pass
It is a beautiful and popular spot in Manali with more than 25 lakh visitors every year. In winter, the mountains at the Rohtang Pass are completely covered in snow and it is impossible to get there. Hence, the pass remains closed during winters and opens in May. Rohtang pass is an experience of nature in one of its rawest forms possible, amongst mountain peaks covered with snow, breathtaking view and magnificent and stunning landscapes and views.
Fortunately I had visited Manali in the month of May, and believe me the views were just breathtaking! Owing to its splendid natural beauty, Rohtang Pass is a favourite among the community of film directors. Many blockbusters ranging from ‘Jab We Met’ to ‘Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani’ have been shot here. When you visit Manali, make sure that you set aside one full day to visit this beautiful gift of Mother Nature!
2. Solang Valley
When heading to Manali for a vacation, two absolutely essential destinations in the itinerary are Rohtang and Solang Valley. Situated on the way to Rohtang from Manali, every year the valley welcomes tourists in large numbers. Also known as the Snow point, the Solang valley is famous not only for the glaciers and snow-clad landscapes but also for the countless adventurous activities that one can enjoy here. The activities most commonly offered are Parachuting, Paragliding, Skiing and Zorbing.
3. Nehru Kund
Nehru Kund gets its name from the first Prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru who is said to have had water from the natural spring when he used to stay in Manali. Nehru Kund is known for the Cold and Pristine water and Breathtaking scenery of mountains and valleys all around. It is surely a beautiful place to visit with a pleasant weather and ravishing scenery to pump your adrenaline!
4. Hadimba Temple
Located amidst the snow-covered hills of Manali, the Hadimba Temple is a unique shrine dedicated to Hidimba Devi (who is also a local goddess), who was the wife of Bhima one of the five Pandava prince from the great Indian epic Mahabharata. The main attraction of the temple is the three day Hidimba Devi Festival, which attracts devotees from all over the world and features colourful folk dance performances. The Architectural works in the Hadimba Temple left me in Awe!
5. Manikaran
Manikaran is a small town situated between Rivers Parvati and Beas, famous for its Hot Water Springs and Beautiful Landscapes. The town has a famous Gurudwara called Manikaran Sahib and Sikhs from all over the country frequently visit this place.
The water in these springs contains sulphur which is capable of curing diseases. The water is hot enough to prepare food by directly placing the vessels and is served as langar. Also there are a good number of Temples which attracts large number of tourists.
6. Kullu
The sister town to Manali, Kullu too, is a hill station of breathtaking landscapes and sceneries, a hub of adventure activities as well as home to a number of sacred temples and shrines. Abundant with lush greenery, pristine river streams and a wonderful climate, Kullu is known as one of the most popular tourist spots in Himachal Pradesh. Kullu is also popular as a sister town to Manali, which is on much higher altitude and provides more scenic views. Typically travellers cover both Kullu and Manali in one trip. The views and nature of Kullu is truly worth-watching!!!
7. Manali Wildlife Sanctuary
A visit to Manali is no doubt incomplete without a holiday at the Manali Sanctuary. It is home to all kinds of species of flora and fauna such as the Himalayan Black Bear, Kashmir flying Squirrel, Himalayan Palm Civet, Himalayan Yellow-throated Marten, Barking Deer, Flying Fox and also Western Tragopan which is the state bird of Himachal Pradesh. It is surely a treat to watch for Animal and Nature lovers like me!!
Adventure Activities in Manali
Manali is the hub of adventure activities in Himachal Pradesh. From River Rafting to Trekking opportunities to Zorbing to Horse-riding to Skiing to Paragliding to River Crossing, Manali has everything to offer. The hillside town of Manali is famous for Paragliding. At 2050 metres above sea level, it is an ultimate location for the sport, with its beautiful green valleys, stark blue skies, and snow-capped mountain peaks. The picture-perfect valley boasts of ideal wind conditions for paragliding and is thronged by both international and domestic tourists.
Also, Manali is known for its excellent skiing conditions with skiing enthusiasts visiting from all over the country. The undulating slopes of Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass offer a perfect terrain for Skiing Enthusiasts! Adding another feather to the list of Manali adventure sports — Zorbing — will provide you a view of a world turned upside down. So get ready to be Zorbed, wrapped inside a giant rolling ball, while you indulge in Zorbing in Manali
I personally enjoyed Paragliding, River Rafting, River Crossing and Trekking and it was a breathtaking experience for me, truly unforgettable! Whenever you visit Manali, don’t miss this once in a lifetime experience!!
Fairs and Festivals
Hadimba Devi Fair
The famous Hadimba Devi Temple hosts the famous Hadimba Devi Fair also known as Doongri fair in the months of May to celebrate the birthday of Hadimba, their local goddess. The Fair showcases various folk dance and music performances by the local artists which is beautiful to watch. The fair is held in the temple premises itself and numerous devotees visit the temple during this time and pay their offerings before the goddess.
Dussehra
Dussehra is one of the most heartily celebrated festivals in Manali. The celebrations of Dussehra lasts for almost a week here and you’ll find that the whole town gets together to enjoy it. There are colorful flags all around and people wear new clothes on this day. This festival is one of the most prominent occasions in the Hindu religion. It commences on the tenth day of the rising moon, i.e. on ‘Vijayadashami’ day itself and continues for seven days.
Winter Carnival
Winter Carnival is a grand festival of Manali, and artists and cultural groups from all over the country come here to participate in the celebration. It is a famous 5 day festival held at Manu Kala Kendra. It is the best time to enjoy the snowy beauty of the region and enjoy winter sport activities as well! It usually takes place in the second week of January and you can indulge in various winter sports activities as well as learn a lot about food culture of Manali
Losar Festival
Losar festival is one of those celebrated amongst the Tibetan Community of Manali. Losar is believed to have originated in the pre-Buddhist period in Tibet and is the New Year’s celebrations for them. During this festival, Tibetan opera and prayer ceremonies take place in different monasteries. The specialty of Losar celebration is the Chaam Dance which is performed wearing vibrant costumes and masks.
Festivals like Baisakhi and Lohri are also celebrated in Manali in a grand manner. Be a part of these Festivals and make your vacation memorable!!
Manali is truly a Paradise not only for Nature and Adventure Lovers but also for people who just want respite from their Busy Urban Life!! I personally enjoyed my trip to Manali a lot and suggest you all to visit and explore Manali at least once after Corona is over!! For now, I am sure you would have loved seeing the Beauty of Manali from the comfort of your homes!! Here’s few more pics of Manali!!
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Feeling like visting the beautiful place again
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Indeed Manali is magical.Would like to revisit Kulu Manali to enjoy the beauty. Truly Loved the journey of the paradise that too from the comfort of home. Thanks for the lovely write-up.
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Wow. Seem to be such a beautiful place. Will try to visit with family during the next holiday. Thanks for your post.
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Manali is indeed a beautiful place! Thanks for your encouragement!😄
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Wow awesome blog Ananth!! Really informative and gives me a desire to visit this beautiful place! Keep writing and looking forward to reading more of your work 🙂
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Thanks a lot Shreyash for your encouraging words!!😀😀
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