Fly to Cities

Manali; with its snow- capped mountains, picturesque locales, an aura of romance and amazing weather is a gem under the guise of a hill station. Perhaps, one of the most popular hill stations in India, Manali is a valley nestled in the beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh in India. It is one of those rare tourist destinations, where travelling any time of the year is a good time.

So what all can you do while you are there? Here’s an exhaustive list of things to do in Manali.

Sightseeing in Manali – Take in the views

While snow is so frequent in Manali, white isn’t the only colour you will see. A trip around the city will make you realise that there is so much more than snow all around the place. Beautiful architectural masterpieces in the guise of temples and monasteries make it a view to kill for.  The beautiful pictures of Manali below, do not do justice to the real beauty!

All around Manali, you will encounter magnificent monasteries and beautiful ancient temple, each with a legendary story to tell. These sacred structures are part of the Manali heritage, making them an important part of every itinerary.

Hadimba temple

The Hadimba or Hidimbi Devi temple, also known to the locals as ‘Dhoongri temple’ is dedicated to Bhima’s (one of the Pandavas) wife Hidimba. The temple is surrounded by tall deodar trees. The temple has a tall 3 inch brass image which represents Devi Hidimba and a shrine dedicated to her son, Ghatotkacha.

Manu Maharshi temple

The story of Manu temple is very intriguing. Firstly, it is the only temple dedicated to Rishi Manu. According to Hindu Mythology, Manu is considered to be the ‘originator of human race & creator of civilization’ and legend has it that Manu is the Hindu equivalent of “Noah,” and landed in Manali after the great floods.

Himalayan Nyinmapa Buddhist Temple

One of the most famous Buddhist monasteries of Manali, the Himalayan Nyinmapa Buddhist Temple, houses a 2-storey statue of Sakyamuni, also known as the historical Buddha. The temple provides the right directions tourists must follow to walk around the stupas, i.e. counter-clockwise.

Von Ngari Monastery

The Von Ngari Monastery is a traditional Tibetan monastery which fills one with the aura of worship. The prayer room contains the statues of Bodhisattvas and revered Lamas.

Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art

While in Manali, make time to visit the Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art.  The museum houses an extraordinary collection of rare antiques, the sources of which are unknown. Take a peek at the musical instruments, religious relics, weapons, scale models etc and more.

But mythology and culture is just one facade of Manali. Once you have explored that, you can embrace the more fun side of Manali. There are so many other points of interest.

Ride a Yak

Riding a yak is not an experience you can have anywhere else in India, so this ought to be on your to-do list. At the Manali wildlife sanctuary, the flora and fauna is exotic with its snow-capped mountains and lush green forests. You will encounter beautiful, colourful birds, snow-leopards, musk-deer, ibex-herds and brown bears, and of course the Yak.

Vashist Hot- Water Springs

It is said that the hot-water springs at Vashist village near the Beas River, are magical. They contain healing powers and natural minerals that can restore the calm in your life. If you happen to travel in the months of May-June, you may be lucky enough to be allowed to take a dip in there.

Biking through Rohtang Pass

While this is not every-one’s cup of tea, for adventure lovers this is the reason to visit Manali. There is thrill and excitement, as you pass through snow on both sides with a majestic valley view. Make sure you take a buddy to capture a lot of memories on your cameras.

Skiing in Manali

Skiing is one of the most sought after adventure sport on the mind of tourists; after all, the city is celebrated for its ski slants! And this is adventure sports with a view of beautiful snow-topped mountains. Even if you are a beginner, it is recommended you try your hands at skiing.

Paragliding

Situated at 2050 mts above ocean level, while paragliding you will discover a new love for snow-clad mountains and lavish greens forests. However, you need to enquire about its availability beforehand.

Cable Car Ropeway in Manali

Don’t miss a chance to take a ride on the Solang Valley cable car ropeway. It is another favourite tourist attraction, getting increasing famous by the day. It is the link at Solang Valley, extremely safe, and the main rope path linking Kullu and Manali.

Not just these, you could set up camp, go trekking, experience river water rafting on the Beas, zorbing or even snow-scooting, Manali is a true treasure trove for those who seek adventure.

Manali has so much to offer to every kind of traveller. For many of the Indian locals, Manali is one of those few rare states where you can experience the snow. The high altitudes of the peaks from the cable cars make it a sight you want to capture for all eternity. If you want to admire nature, Manali gives you all the right reasons to do so.

Manali Pictures (HD)