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Places of Interest In and Around Manali |
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Temples and Monestries.
Hadimba Temple
Distance 1 km.
This temple, also known as Dhoongri
Temple is situated about 1 km from Manali. The temple
is dedicated to Hadimba mata,the wife of Bhima. Bhima
is one of the Pandava brothers who visited this place
during their exile. This four story wooden temple is
located in the middle of a forest called Dhungiri Van
Vihar. Maharaja Bahadur Singh built the present wooden
pagoda-like temple in 1553 AD after earlier structures
were burnt down by forest fires. Standing on a stone
platform surrounded by old deodar trees, the
three-tier temple is crowned with pennants, brass
bells and a trident. Carvings of animals, plants and
folk deities adorn the temple, while hunting trophies
are hung over its entrance by the devotees. |
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Inside the shrine is the brass icon of the goddess,
surprisingly tiny compared to the huge temple structure
and the legendary prowess associated with her. The
shrine is within a natural cave formation dominated by
huge rock. A set of enlarged footprints on the rocks is
believed to be of Hadimba Mata, herself. In mid-July the
idol from old Manali is brought to this temple for a
major festival. As part of the frenzied celebrations,
several animals including a buffalo are sacrificed to
the goddess. The blood falling on the stones is
channeled to the mouth of goddess Hadimba. This ancient
ritual draws large crowds. People whor not strong at
heart are advised not to witness the Balidan ceremony.
Also beware of pickpockets who take advantage of the
spellbound mobs.
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Manu Rishi Temple
Distance – 3 KM
Manu Rishi temple, 3 km from
Manali, is a beautiful structure with a five- storey
pagoda type of roof and a brass 'Kalasa' crowning
the top.
Just near the Hadimba Temple flows the Manalsu
rivulet which culminates in the Beas river.
Across the Manalsu river is the original village
of Manali that houses the ancient temple of the sage
Manu from whom human race is believed to have
started.
This land was known as 'Land of Manu' and was
later renamed Manali after him. |
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Arjun Gufa
Distance – 2 km.
On the left bank of the river
Beas, near Prini village, is the "Arjun Gufa" or
the cave of Arjuna. It is believed that Arjuna
practiced austerities to get Pashupata Ashtra or
weapon from Lord Indra. |
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Sharvali Devi Temple
Sharvali Devi Temple is an ancient shrine situated
at Shooru village, about eight kilometers from
Manali, in Himachal Pradesh. The temple was believed
to be built by Pandavas, the mythical characters in
the great epic Mahabharata
Gaurishankar Temple : Dedicated
to Shiva and Parvati, Gaurishankar Temple is an
ancient stone temple located at Dashal village in
Kullu District and is 8 km from Manali. A
veritable showpiece in a tranquil setting, this
Shaivite temple dates back to 12th century AD and
is a fine specimen of the "Shikhara Style", a rare
form of architecture in this part of the country |
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Gaurishankar Temple
Dedicated to Shiva and Parvati,
Gaurishankar Temple is an ancient stone temple
located at Dashal village in Kullu District and
is 8 km from Manali. A veritable showpiece in a
tranquil setting, this Shaivite temple dates
back to 12th century AD and is a fine specimen
of the "Shikhara Style", a rare form of
architecture in this part of the country |
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Bajeshwar Mahadev Temple : ( Bajaura )
This pyramidical temple belonging to the 8th century
A.D. is embellished with wonderful carvings in stone and
sculpture in the Shikhara style. This temple is situated
about 200 metres from the village between the main road
and the Beas river |
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Bijli Mahadev Temple
Altitude - 2,460 mtrs.
This is one of the most striking temple in Kullu, where
20 metre tall image is supposed to attract special
blessings from the skies in the shape of lightning. From
the temple a panoramic view of Kulu and Paravati valleys
can be seen. A 60 feet high staff of Bijli Mahadev
temple glistens like a silver needle in the sun. In this
temple of lightening , the tall staff attracts the
divine blessings in the form of lightening. The rest of
the story can be heard from the priest, which is
un-believable but true. |
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Manu Rishi Temple
Distance – 3 KM
Manu Rishi temple, 3 km from
Manali, is a beautiful structure with a five- storey
pagoda type of roof and a brass 'Kalasa' crowning
the top. Just near the Hadimba Temple flows the
Manalsu rivulet which culminates in the Beas river.
Across the Manalsu river is the original village of
Manali that houses the ancient temple of the sage
Manu from whom human race is believed to have
started. This land was known as 'Land of Manu' and
was later renamed Manali after him. |
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Monasteries
Manali is known for its shiny gompas or Buddhist
monasteries. This Gompa dominates the Tibetan area
in the close vicinity of the Mall in Manali. The
Tibetan refugees built the Gompa in the late 1960's.
The Gompa is covered with brightly coloured
frescoes and a mid size Buddhist statute. It also
carries a list of the martyrs killed in occupation
of Tibet of 1987 to 1989. Inside the brightly
painted prayer hall is a statue of Shakyamuni (form
of Buddha).
The monastery is maintained through donations and
the sale of carpets woven by the lamas within the
temple workshop. A smaller gompha near the market
has a large gold-faced image of Buddha, which is
best viewed from its first floor verandah. Monks can
be seen printing prayer flags in the open terrace |
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Lakes, Hotwater Springs and Waterfalls |
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Bhrigu
Lake
Distance – 6 km.
Altitude – 4270 mtrs.
Bhrigu Lake is ituated to the
north-east of Manali at a distance of 6km from
Vashishtha village, Bhrigu Lake has been named
after sage Bhrigu. There is a beautiful wild
flower meadow called Gulaba near the lake |
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Beas Rishi Lake
Distance – 25 km.
Altitude – 3690 mtrs.
Beas Rishi Lake is situated to
the north-west of Manali and at a distance of 25km
from Manali. The lake is very deep and
transparent. The lake is most of the time
partially covered by glaciers. The weather here is
unpredictable and the best suitable period to
visit is June to October. |
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Vashishtha Natural
Hotwater Springs
Distance -3 km.
Vashishtha village, 3km from
Manali, is known for the hot water springs & the
asceticism of Rishi Vashishtha. The temple of
Vashishtha Rishi is 400 years old. In the temple
there is a stone statue of the sage Vashishtha
clad in dhoti, cap & a white shawl on the
shoulder. The Tourism Department has built Turkish
baths, 500 m away from the village |
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Rahala waterfalls
Distance – 27 km.
Rahala waterfalls is located at a
distance of 27 km from Manali. It is enchanting
waterfall where the River Beas cascades in showers
from a height of 50 metres. It is a excellent
picnic spot for the nature lovers. Rahla means a
halting station. In the olden days sages, saints
and pilgrims preferred to stay here overnight
during their journey to Lahaul.
High reaches. |
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High reaches |
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Rohtang Pass
Distance -51 km. Altitude – 4111 km.
Rohtang Pass is is the highest
point on the National Highway. Rohtang Pass offers
you a spectacular view of the valley. One can see
the panoramic beauty of majestic mountains from
here. Once the pass opens in summers, it is the
gateway to Leh Laddakh.
'Rohtang' in Tibetan language means a house of
corpses. Perhaps this name has been given to the
pass due to the chain of accidental deaths that
occurred here from time to time. The weather is
unpredictable and fast wind blows in the
afternoon. Snow falls occurs frequently.. |
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Gulaba
Camp
Distance – 20 km. Altitude – 2848 mtrs.
A picturesque spot rich in herbal plants &
flowers. The zigzag roads & the beautiful flower
beds covering the hill slopes provide stunning
views. Gulaba is also a fine destination for skiing.
Bhrigu Lake is only 6 km from Gulaba. In the month
of March & April. Road is closed beyond Gulaba. |
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Solang
Valley
Distance – 13 km. Altitude – 2480 mtrs.
Solang valley is situated to the
north-west of Manali. The slopes of Solang are
considered one of the best in the world for
skiing; State & National level winter sports are
organized here. Solang valley offers the view of
glaciers and snow capped mountains and peaks. It
has fine ski slopes. The Mountaineering Institute
has installed a ski lift for training purpose.
Other important attractions. |
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Kothi
Distance - 15km. Altitude – 2530 mtrs.
Kothi is a beautiful village
situated to the north of Manali town and at a from
Manali. Brooks gushing down from the mountains
pass through the village and there you stand
infatuated by the astonishing vistas. It offers a
magnificent view of the snow-capped peaks and
glaciers . |
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Other important attractions |
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Museum of
Himachal Culture & Folk Art
The museum is located at Utopia
Complex near Hadimba temple. Museum is
compassionate effort to reveal the tourist and
the young generation about the traditions, art
and culture of Himachal Pradesh. The collection
in the museum is very rare and unseen by the
public. Each and every article has its own
historical background and importance in
handicraft, art and culture of the state. The
founder of the museum, J. R. Sood has spent more
than a decade, collecting these precious
articles of culture and historical value.
The principle of the museum is
preservation cum development of the age-old
antiques of cultural and traditional heritage of
Himachal. The museum displays models of various
temples, old houses & forts, wooden & mental
masks, traditional dresses & jewelleries,
utensils, musical and ritual instruments, wood
carvings, stone vessels, handicraft articles and
several other articles that were used by the
people in their day to day living in olden days.
The photographs of some fairs & festivals,
ritual & religious ceremonies, and famous places
of tourist interest are also displayed in the
museum
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The
Western Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering
The Western Himalayan Institute
of Mountaineering and Allied Sports was started in
1960 and offers training facilities in basic and
advanced climbing as well as courses in high
altitude trekking, rescue research, skiing and
water sports. The institute also provides trekking
and climbing gear to adventure enthusiasts. |
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Reorich
Art Gallary Naggar
Roerich Art Gallery is situated
2km uphill from Naggar bus stand. The gallery
originally was N.K. Roerich's residence, later
turned into the art gallery by his son Svyetoslav
Roerich.
The art gallery is run as Roerich
Heritage Museum by a trust formed by the
governments of Himachal Pradesh and Russia. Prime
Minister of India is the chairperson of this
trust.
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Nicholas K. Roerich embraced stupendous qualities. He
was a master artist, a scholar, a writer, an
archaeologist and an explorer. His reverance for the
Himalayas inspired him to paint thousands of paintings
of the Himalayas, sentinels of India.
A few of his excellent creations have been housed at
the Roerich Art Gallery, in Naggar. The gallery
preserves original works of Roerich on the Himalayas,
quotations from Roerich and valued words of the visitors
and the admirers.
The gallery remains open from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.,
except Mondays. |
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Largi
Distance – 34 km. Altitude – 957 mtrs.
This is a small hamlet providing excellent trout
fishing. The famous rivers Sainj and Tirthan join the
Beas a few hundred metres below. Larji is patronised
mostly by anglers. |
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Manikaran
Distance - 45 km from Kulu
Manikaran town is situated in the beautiful
Parbati Valley is situated to the north- east of
Kullu. According to legend, Manikaran is also
associated with Lord Shiva and his divine consort,
Parbati. Legend has it that once when Shiva and
Parbati were relaxing by the river. Parbati's ear
rings fell into the water. |
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The lord of another world ( Patal Nagari ) named Shesh
Nag took possession of them and despite Parvati's pleas,
he refused to hand them back.
However when all the gods prevailed upon him, he
snorted them out of his nostrils, causing a boiling
fountain of water to erupt. the jewels thus returned.
There are temples of Ramchandra and Shiva besides the
Gurudwara. This place is famous for hot water springs
that cure rheumatic pains.. Thousands of people take a
dip in its hot water. The main water is so hot that Dal
( pulses ), Rice, Vegetables etc. can be boiled in it
Manikaran is renowned for Gurudwara and Ram temple
that bestows free lodging and food. It has hot water
springs that gushes out of the rocks. Temperature of
water varies from 88°C to 94°C. Presence of radium is
one of the main reasons given by a German scientist
behind the hot water springs. |
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Adventure Sports |
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White Water Rafting
River rafting is an exciting adventure sport.
There is an unmatched thrill of shooting down the
rapids. Knowledge of swimming is not necessary but you
have to be reasonably fit. The rafting is done on a 9-14
km stretch between Pirdi and Jhidi. Its a full day trip
from Manali. |
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Para Gliding
You can sail high above the ground and see the
mountains as never before. Experience the rush of cold
air on your face and have a thrill of your life. Guided
para gliding can be done from Solang Valley. |
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Trekking
There are countless trekking routes in Kullu
Valley. Most treks are of 2-10 days duration. However
you could initiate yourself in the joys of trekking with
a one day trek to Lamadugh. This is a light trek of
approximately 6 km which even occasional walkers can
enjoy. |
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Helicopter Ride
Helicopter ride to enjoy the scenic beauty of valley
and around is available through private operators. |
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River Crossing
River crossing through rope and Burma bridge across
small rivulets by private operators.
As the flood slowly dried, here
arose a place of breath- taking natural beauty which was
only appropriate at Manali that life began again. Today
this legendary cradle of all human kind is a prime
holiday destination. There are high mountains surrounded
by snow and deep boulder strewn gorges. There are thick
forests full of cool breeze and bird songs. There are
fields of wild flowers, small picturesque hamlets and
fruit laden orchards. |
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ANGLING |
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The streams of Himachal Pradesh fall under two
categories; General waters and Trout waters, with
estimated length of 600 and 2400 kms respectively. The
major State's streams include- Beas, Sutlej, Ravi,
Tirthan, Sainj, Uhl, Baspa, Pabar, Lambadug, Giri, Rana,
Nugal Gai, Baner, Bata, etc.The major fishes available
in these streams are Trout, Mahseer, Nemacheilus spp,
Barilus sp, Schizothoracids Crossocheilus sp.
Glyptothorax spp. etc. Fishing in these streams is
reguarsied under the state fisheries Act. In trout water
licences only for rod and line are permitted while in
general water both rod and line as well as cast netting
is all allowed. The department has identified the
following stretches as potential fishing sports for
trout and mahseer.
An anglers' paradise. Himachal has several spots
for both trout and mahaseer - as well as other fish.
Acclaimed as the best sport fish in the world, both
Brown and Rainbow Trout are to be found in Himachal's
streams.
Fishing fees are nominal. The trout fishing season is
from 31 March to 31 October. Generally, the best months
for mahaseer are those that have an 'r' in their
spelling - January, Fabruary, March, April, September,
October, November and December. |
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