Manali , a popular hill station of Himachal Pradesh is situated in the Beas River valley about 40 km from Kulu to the north. Located close to the end of the Kullu valley on the National Highway leading to Leh, Manali is a Paradise for adventure enthusiasts. Surrounded by the soaring peaks of snow-capped mountains as well as deodar and pine trees, the Beas River that meanders through the town, offers a captivating view of this beautiful hill town. Manali is a flourishing orchard industry, trekking destination and a famous tourist destination for the honeymooners. Also known as Switzerland of India, Manali offers several opportunities to adventure lovers, which makes it a Famous travel destination of India.
Geography and Climate
Manali is located at 32.2396 N, 77.1887 E, about 40 km (25 mi) north of Kullu at an elevation of 1950 m above sea level. The climate in Manali is predominantly cold during winters and somewhat cool during summers. The temperatures range from 4 °C (39 °F) to 20 °C (68 °F) over the year. The average temperature during summer is between 04 °C (39 °F) and 15 °C (59 °F), and between −15 °C (5 °F) and 05 °C (41 °F) during winters.
Demographics
As of 2001 India census, Manali had a population of 6,265 people of which, 64 % of the population was males and 36% were females. The hill town had an average literacy rate of 74%, with male literacy of 80%, and female literacy of 63%. 9% of the population was under six years of age.
History of Manali
Manali is named after the Hindu lawgiver Manu and the word Manali is regarded as the changed name of "Manu-Alaya" which literally means "the abode of Manu". According to the legends, one day, Varvasvata, the seventh incarnation of Manu found a tiny fish in his bathing water and the fish told him to look after it with devotion as one day it would do him a great service. Manu took care of the fish till the day it grew huge that he released it into the sea. Before departing, the fish warned Manu of an awaiting flood when the entire world would be submerged and there was flood one day and Varvasvata along with seven sages were saved by the fish. As the water subsided the seventh Manu’s ark came to the rest on a hillside and thus the place came to be known as Manali. The region is also said to be the home of the seven great sages of the Hindu religion.
Culture of Manali
The exotic hill town of Manali is the natural home to several indigenous tribes of the region. The different ethnic tribes follow distinctive cultural patterns and social customs. The different festivals celebrated in this beautiful town reflect the rich traditional legacy and ancestral heritage as well as unaltered and unaffected cultural traits of the hilly region. The Himachal Winter Carnival is one of the most important festivals of the region, which is held in the month of February.
Tourist Destinations in Manali
Located in the heart of Kullu Valley, Manali is one of the most beautiful hill stations of India. The town provides plenty of opportunities for adventure sport and winter sports. Well connected by road, Manali hosts a good number of tourists from both India and abroad every year. Besides adventure sports, there are several places of tourist interest in Manali, which attracts the visitors. It is also one of the sacred places of the Hindus and owing to this, a number of temples can be seen in the hill town. Some of the prominent tourist attractions are:
Transportation
Air
The nearest airport (IATA code KUU) is at Bhuntar town, situated on NH21 about 50 km (31 mi) south of Manali and 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Kullu town. The airport is also known as Kullu-Manali airport and has more than a kilometre long runway. Indian Airlines and some private airlines have regular flights to the airport.
Railway
Joginder Nagar is the nearest railway station to Manali. This narrow gauze railway station is about 95 km from Kullu. The other nearest railway stations are Chandigarh and Pathankot. From the station one can take a bus or taxi and as well as enjoy the beauty of Kullu while going to Manali.
Road
The road to Manali passes through the picturesque valley of Kullu. Manali is connected with the other major tourist places like Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Haridwar, Shimla, Dharamsala and Chamba/Dalhousie by the motorable roads. It is connected with Leh during July to October. Although taxi service is available for a tour of the beautiful hill town, the best way to explore thehill station is on foot.
Geography and Climate
Manali is located at 32.2396 N, 77.1887 E, about 40 km (25 mi) north of Kullu at an elevation of 1950 m above sea level. The climate in Manali is predominantly cold during winters and somewhat cool during summers. The temperatures range from 4 °C (39 °F) to 20 °C (68 °F) over the year. The average temperature during summer is between 04 °C (39 °F) and 15 °C (59 °F), and between −15 °C (5 °F) and 05 °C (41 °F) during winters.
Demographics
As of 2001 India census, Manali had a population of 6,265 people of which, 64 % of the population was males and 36% were females. The hill town had an average literacy rate of 74%, with male literacy of 80%, and female literacy of 63%. 9% of the population was under six years of age.
History of Manali
Manali is named after the Hindu lawgiver Manu and the word Manali is regarded as the changed name of "Manu-Alaya" which literally means "the abode of Manu". According to the legends, one day, Varvasvata, the seventh incarnation of Manu found a tiny fish in his bathing water and the fish told him to look after it with devotion as one day it would do him a great service. Manu took care of the fish till the day it grew huge that he released it into the sea. Before departing, the fish warned Manu of an awaiting flood when the entire world would be submerged and there was flood one day and Varvasvata along with seven sages were saved by the fish. As the water subsided the seventh Manu’s ark came to the rest on a hillside and thus the place came to be known as Manali. The region is also said to be the home of the seven great sages of the Hindu religion.
Culture of Manali
The exotic hill town of Manali is the natural home to several indigenous tribes of the region. The different ethnic tribes follow distinctive cultural patterns and social customs. The different festivals celebrated in this beautiful town reflect the rich traditional legacy and ancestral heritage as well as unaltered and unaffected cultural traits of the hilly region. The Himachal Winter Carnival is one of the most important festivals of the region, which is held in the month of February.
Tourist Destinations in Manali
Located in the heart of Kullu Valley, Manali is one of the most beautiful hill stations of India. The town provides plenty of opportunities for adventure sport and winter sports. Well connected by road, Manali hosts a good number of tourists from both India and abroad every year. Besides adventure sports, there are several places of tourist interest in Manali, which attracts the visitors. It is also one of the sacred places of the Hindus and owing to this, a number of temples can be seen in the hill town. Some of the prominent tourist attractions are:
- Arjun Gufa
- Club house
- Hidimba Devi temple
- Jagatsukh
- Kothi
- Manu temple
- Mountaineering Institute
- Nehru kund
- Rahala water falls
- Rohtang pass
- Solang valley
- Tibetan monasteries
- Vashisht hot water springs and temples
Transportation
Air
The nearest airport (IATA code KUU) is at Bhuntar town, situated on NH21 about 50 km (31 mi) south of Manali and 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Kullu town. The airport is also known as Kullu-Manali airport and has more than a kilometre long runway. Indian Airlines and some private airlines have regular flights to the airport.
Railway
Joginder Nagar is the nearest railway station to Manali. This narrow gauze railway station is about 95 km from Kullu. The other nearest railway stations are Chandigarh and Pathankot. From the station one can take a bus or taxi and as well as enjoy the beauty of Kullu while going to Manali.
Road
The road to Manali passes through the picturesque valley of Kullu. Manali is connected with the other major tourist places like Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Haridwar, Shimla, Dharamsala and Chamba/Dalhousie by the motorable roads. It is connected with Leh during July to October. Although taxi service is available for a tour of the beautiful hill town, the best way to explore thehill station is on foot.
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