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| Manali with its unspoilt scenic grandeur is extremely
popular with the tourists, for a lavish display of natural scenery.
It is one of the principal show places of the Kullu region. To its
North, South and West are an ostentation of pinnacles and ridges which,
in fine weather, stand out in bold relief against skyline. At the
lower elevation and in every direction there are vivid green patches
of grassland and evergreen valleys ascending in irregular formation
present probably the best view in the country. Manali is situated
at an altitude of 1,926 metres and spreads in 12.5 square km. It is
the real starting point of an ancient trade rout. |
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Manali : General Information |
| Altitude :- |
1,950 meters. |
| Headquarter :- |
Kullu ( altitude 1,220 meters
) |
| Location :- |
In district Kullu. ( 40 km.
approx.) |
| Access by Air :- |
The nearest airport to Manali is Bhunter
at 50 km. distance. |
| Access by Rail :- |
The convenient railheads are Chandigarh
320 km., Jogindernagar and Shimla 260 km. approx. |
| Access by Road :- |
Almost each and every part of the state
is linked by roads. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation is running
its buses covering the whole state. There is huge network of HRTC
to cater the needs of the people. |
| Distance :- |
Manali is connected with direct bus services
from all cities of Himachal, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The
distance from Manali to Shimla is 260 km., Chandigarh 320 km., Delhi
583 km., Pathankot 326 km., Dharamshala 253 km., Udaipur ( in Lahaul-Spiti
) 166 km., Keylong 104 km. and Kaza 244 km. |
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Famous Places around Manali :- |
| Rohtang Pass :- ( 51 km. ) At an altitude of 3,978
metres on the highway to Keylong, the mass affords a wide-spread panorama
of mountain scenery. Here eye meets a range of precipitous cliffs,
huge glaciers and piled moraine and deep ravines. To the opposite
is the well defined 'Sonepani Glacier' slightly to the left are the
twin peaks of the Geyphang snow crowned. The Beas river rises near
the crest of Rohtang from a block of Mica-Schist. To its left, 200
metres higher, is the little lake of 'Sarkund' ( Dashahr ) visited
by a large number of people every year. The bath in the water of Sarkund
lake effects cure of all bodily ailments or imaginary. The pass is
open from June to October each year although trekkers can cross it
earlier. It is the gateway to Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi and Leh valley. |
| Mountaineering Institute :- This institute imparts
training in basic and advanced courses of mountaineering. Institute
speedily gaining prominence for conducting adventurous sports - rock
climbing, high altitude trekking and skiing. It was set up in 1961
A.D. |
| Solang Valley :- ( 13 km. ) A beautiful valley
between Manali and Kothi which offers views of the glaciers and snow
covered mountain peaks. The plateau is frequently used for holding
camps by the trekking parties. The surrounding areas of Manali from
3 to 20 km. are suitable for rock climbing. The winter skiing festival
is organised here as well as training in skiing is imparted at this
place. |
| Rohla Falls :- 16 kms. on way to Rohtang pass.
If one goes to Marhi on foot from Kothi from the old road, the sight
of the falls is fascinating. It is a good picnic spot as well. |
| Marhi :- ( 39 km. ) A barren landscape
offering extensive views of the valley and the mountains. 15 km. short
of the 13,050 feet high Rohatang Pass on the Manali-Leh road lies
one of the most picturesque places in Manali region. Marhi - a mountain
plateau surrounded by lush green meadows strewn with myriad wild flowers.
The place remains a stopover for transit visitors and tourists during
summer and autumn seasons and a transit place for the people to wait
for the ferocious weather to improve at Rohtang Pass to cross over
to Lahaul and Spiti valley, during the winter months. |
| Club House :- 2 kms. from the town,
club house has indoor games facilities which has been located on the
left bank of Manalsu Nallah. There are some picnic spots near it. |
| Nehru Kund :- ( 6 km. ) A natural
spring of clean cold water named after the late Prime Minister Jawahar
Lal Nehru, who used to drink water from this spring during his stay
in Manali. It is located on the Manali-Keylong road. This spring is
believed to be coming from 'Bhrigu Lake'. |
| Tibetan Monastery :- A new but colorful
Buddhist temple. It contains many idols of Buddha. This monastey is
famous for its carpet weaving and Tibetan handicraft. |
| Kothi :- ( 12 km. ) A beautiful and
quiet spot. The rest house here overlooks the narrow valley and commands
views at the mountains. Below Kothi, for more than a km. the river
Beas flows through a deep gorge, 30 metres or more in depth. The site
of the bridge provides an interesting historical episode in early
annals of Kullu. This place is famous for movie picturisation and
resting resort for poets, writers and lovers of peaceful environments. |
| Vashisht :- ( 3 km. ) This place
is famous for its hot water springs and temples of Vashisht Rishi
and Lord Rama. It is located on the bank of Beas, but well above the
river. Natural hot sulphur springs with two separate bathing tanks
for gents and ladies are always full of tourists. Turkish style showers
fitted baths have also been built nearby. Hot water from the nearby
spring is provided for bathing. |
| Jagatsukh :- ( 6 km. ) The original
name of this was 'Nast', it remained the ancient capital of Kullu
for about 10 generations. Jagatsukh is famous for its Shiva temple
in Shikhara Style and interesting old temple of 'Gayatri Devi' and
Devi Sharvali. |
| Hidimba Devi Temple :- ( 1.5 km.
) Built in 1553 A.D. also known as 'Doongri Temple' dedicated to the
Goddess Hidimba ( Hirma Devi ), the wife of Bhima, has a four tiered
pagoda shaped roof with a doorway carved with figures and symbols.
Although carving is simple yet beautiful. This temple was built by
Raja Bahadur Singh of Kullu. |
| Arjun Gufa :- ( 15 km. ) A legendary cave near
the village of 'Prini' on the left bank where Arjuna practised austerities
to get the powerful 'Pashupati astra' ( weapon ). |
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