Local Sightseeing Around Manali
Hadimba Temple
An ancient temple built in 1550 A.D. in a forest grove. Hadimba Devi’s temple is four tiered with a Pagoda shaped roof and a front door way covered with figures ands symbols.In The Mahabharata it is mentioned that Hidamba is the wife of Bhim, the strongest of five Pandava brothers. Bhima fell in love with Hadimba, a sister of demon Tandi. Bhima Killed Tandi in combat and married Hadimba, who today worshiped as the incarnation of Kali. This temple was built by Maharaja Bahadur Singh in the year 1553 in the worship of Hidamba Devi. The area surrounding the temple gives a festive look always as tourist dressed up in traditional colorful dress available at price for photography. This wooden temple is beautifully designed in a Pagoda style.
There are many wooden carving works in the walls and main entrance door of the temple.
There will be long Queue for the darshan in peak tourist seasons like summer.
Manu Maharishi Temple
Situated in old Manali village of distance of 2 km from the taxi stand . This is the only
Temple of Manu who is the great Hindu Law giver. It is approachable by road
Vashisth Temple
A fair size village on the left bank of Beas, renowned for its hot sulphur water spring and temple of Vashisth Rishi & Lord Rama. Also can view, the confluence of Beas and Manalsu River. At a distance of 3 KM from Manali Vashisht is located. There is a pair of temples stands opposite to each other. One temple is dedicated to Lord Ram and the other one is to Sage Vashishta, the pattern saint and Lord Ram. Once upon a time this was a meditation place for Vashishta Maharshi. When Laxman came to take the help of Vashishta muni for Ashwa megha yaga, to warm up the cold place, he fired an arrow to the ground from where hot water spring gushed out. Till now there is a belief that the water here is having medicinal values.
Tibetan Monastery
A small Monastery is a peaceful clerring has image of the Buddha & some exquisite tangkhas. Famous for carpet weaving & Tibetan handicrafts.
Snow Point and Solang
Rothang
Manali is the gateway to Rohtang pass beyond which lie the twin valley of Lahaul and Spiti. In winter the mountain slopes are snow clad and they turn into perfect skiing slopes. This point is one of the main attractions for tourists coming to Manali. The Rohtang pass is 51 KM north of Manali and it is located on Manali Keylong Highway at an altitude of 4111 meters (13,400 ft ). This pass opens for tourist from April end to October end of the year.
The permission to travel on this highway is given by Indian army after they clear the snow and inspect the road for its fitness and safety for movement of person and the vehicles. The same road connects to Leh Ladakh (State of Jammu & Kashmir) from Manali (state of Himachal Pradesh). Sonepani Glacier and a small lake (Dashahr) are located opposite and left to Rohtang respectively.The other hamlets around Manali also have houses embellished with wood carving. The Rohalla falls are on the way to Rohtang pass from Manali and are worth visiting. On the way to Rohtang at Beas Nallah one has to cross the river Beas. This river starts from here (Beas Kund). There are daily bus tours to Rohtang pass.
Rohtang Pass is closed on Tuesday.
On the way to Rohtang pass one can find many food stalls serving variety of foods. You can get a cold drink as shopkeepers keep then in running water to maintain the temperature as there is no need of a refrigerator here. One can relish the food by sitting inside the low running water of the river Beas. There are some more important places to see and are listed below.
Nehru Kund
Being a favorite place of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, this place is named as Nehru Kund. One can see pure water rushing out of rocks. As per the local belief, the water has some medicinal effect. This place is just 6-7 Kms from Manali.
Kothi
This is supposed to be the first village on the banks of Beas River. The area is scenic and many hotels are available to have refreshments and enjoy the nature. Kothi is located at 15Kms from Manali on hill top with curved roads.
Marhi
This place is as famous as Rohtang pass. Fully covered with snow, all kind of water sports are available. Whenever Rohtang pass is closed due to bad weather conditions, people will be allowed to visit up to this place.The place is surrounded by lush green meadows. All kind of restaurants(both indoor and outdoor) are available for people. Marhi is 35Kms from Manali.
Rani Nala
This is the glacier where snow is available for the entire year. Rani Nala is 40Kms from Manali. The main attraction for tourist at Rohtang pass is snow and the scenic beauty of the area.
The road is very narrow near the Rohtang pass and the parking of vehicles is very difficult and one has to be very alert while parking the vehicles because slight distraction may be hazardous. Hence it is advisable to come here very early in the morning and stay up to afternoon and starts returning once the traffic gets clear. But if you start late to visit here then you may have to walk a bit or take help of horse to reach the peak point. Walking here is not a big problem but not advisable for elderly persons or small kids. It can be a 15 to 30 minutes walk depending on the traffic to reach the snow point from the parking area. The safest and the easiest way to reach the snow point is by horse ride but it is a bit costly ride, but elderly and the small children can comfortably use this service. The horse man charges around Indian Rupees 400 per trip (both ways) per horse. Tourists plan their trip in early hours to reach Rohtang very early to avoid traffic and reach at the snow point; at the same time it is equally difficult to return as all vehicles way down as to be clear the road. So going early mean returning late from there. Sometime this may not be a good option for families with kids to stay long time in cold conditions. So other option is to start late and take the help of horses (or walk) to reach the top.
All types of food stuff, coffee and drinks are available at Rohtang pass and these are sold by local people. The weather here is highly unpredictable and it does not take much time for the bright sun shine to change over to moderate to heavy snow fall. The shop owners have provided some temporary sheds for the benefit of tourists/visitors to take shelter in case of sudden change of weather.
Solang Valley
This valley is located at a distance of 12 KM from main town before Kothi. The place is famous for adventurous sports like Bungee jump, Paragliding, Zorbing, horse riding, trekking and skiing. Kothi offers picturesque view of towering cliffs, frosted hillsides and undulating meadows. This place is on the way to Rohtang but take left diversion at the village Palchan. The friendship valley which is just behind Solang is used as training camps for mountaineers and trekkers. The national Winter Skiing championship is also organized here. Solang valley is nearly 2500 Mtrs above sea level. We did paragliding here and was a pleasure. A little bargain is available on the price. It depends on from what height one wants to have paragliding.
Manikaran Kullu Raffting Tour
Manikaran
Manikaran is a famous pilgrimage place situated in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh State. This place is famous for Shiva temple, Ram temple, Gurudwara and hot water springs. Manikaran is in Parbati (Parvati) valley. Parvati valley is the largest valley in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh state in India covering 90Kms length and 1085 sq.Km area. The Himalayan ranges of hills at Manikaran are called Shivalik range. The Parvati River flows beside the Shiva temple and Gurudwara. The starting point of Parvati river is at Mantalai. Many hot water springs are found at various places in and around the main area of Manikaran. Distances between Manikaran and important places: Manikaran is 35 Kms from Bhuntar, 45 Kms from Kullu, 85 Kms from Manali 300 Kms from Chandigarh and 545 Kms from New Delhi.
Rafting
Rafting, is also known as the white water rafting and can be enjoyed to the maximum extent in the state of Himachal. The reason for this is the presence of a number of snow fed rivers in the state that rush down the Himalayan ranges and make their way through the various regions. These rivers bumping, swirling and rolling present wonderful stretch of water for rafting enthusiasts. As a matter of fact, the rivers of upper Himalayas are considered the best in the entire world for enjoying rafting.
There are four rivers in Himachal that offer opportunities to enjoy white water rafting. These rivers flow in the north westerly direction and are almost parallel to one another. The first of these, Beas has its genesis in the Rohtang Pass and flows through the Kullu valley. Rising from the Raigarh glacier, river Ravi makes its way down Chamba valley. The third river, Chenab originates from the tributaries, Chandra and Bhagha and passes swiftly through the Chenab or Pangi valley. It finally enters the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Lastly, there is Satluj river that originates beyond Indian borders and enters the country near Shipkila and is later joined by the Spiti river at Khab. This river flows through Kinnaur and Shimla.
Rafting in Beas has gained tremendous popularity. You can raft on the rapids of Beas, specially between Shamsi and Aut. This is around 20 km stretch and provides most thrilling rafting experience. This river is also the venue for many rafting competition in the state. And while talking about venues for rafting races, the Sutlej near Shimla, Ravi near Chamba and the Chandra in Lahaul are not behind. Only chances for rafting races are being found out on the Spiti river.
Nagger Castle
Naggar is a big village with two valuable heritages situated at a distance of 22 Kms from Manali (21Kms from Kullu, district head quarters) in Himachal Pradesh state of India. Naggar is at a height of 5750fts from sea level and situated on sleepy hill, nearer to the left bank of Beas River. Many of the palaces which were royal do not exist now. In 17th century Naggar was the capital for Kullu (for 1460 years) under Raja Jagat Singh. The capital was later shifted to Sultanpur at Kullu in 1860. .
Naggar castle
Naggar, the royal seat of kullu state remained its capital for about 1460 yeas. Naggar Castle is traditionally believed to have been built by Raja Sidhi Singh in early sixteenth century. The stones for construction were brought from Varagarh across the river Beas.
Another belief is that stones were passed on to the site by a human chain comprising of men and women of surrounding areas. From the ruins of the of fortified palace of Rana Bhosal called Garhdhek situated below the present baragaon. Naggar Castle was used as a royal residence & state head quarter until the middle of the seventeenth century, when Raja Jagat Singh transferred the capital to Sultanpur. However, the castle continued to be used as summer palace, by subsequent rulers until the British took over the whole of Kangra & Kullu from Sikhs in 1846, when Raja Gyan Singh sold it to the first Assistant Commissioner, Major Roy, for a gun.
The latter converted the northern wing to the European way of living by putting in staircase fire place & chimney. Thus emerged a unique amalgam of indigenous architecture & and English country seat. He later sold it to the Government when it was used as a court-house. In 1920’s the court activity ceased but its door remained open for visitors and travelers as a civil rest house.
The Naggar Castle has with stood the detractive wrath of trends in the year 1905 due to shock bearing contrition technique. In 1978 the Naggar Castle was taken over by the Himachal Tourism Development Corporation and the castle has recently witnessed an exhaustive restoration and refurbishing
Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery and Museum
Nicholas Roerich was a famous artist. He married the famous Indian actress Devika rani and settled in Naggar. He spent nearly 20 years in this place before his death. His entire property is now converted as an Art gallery showing his paintings. This place was originally belonging to a Raja of Mandi and Roerich bought from him. The paintings show landscapes of many important places surrounding Kullu, Manali and Naggar. Most of the paintings show the beauty of ice covered valleys and peaks during early hours of in the evening. The Roerich Museum is at the right side to the main road. Both the buildings of Art gallery and Museum are now in good condition with the help of Indian government which helped for developing the tourism and there is a trust managing both. The museum consists of traditional items used by people of Himachal Pradesh like dresses, ornaments, cooking utensils etc…
There is entry fee for both Art gallery and Museum (same ticket). The timing is from 10AM to 5 PM, Monday is holiday for both. A sale counter is also kept where tourists can buy books, paintings from the counter.