About Manali

Manali has a pre-historic legend behind its name. Vaivasvata, the seventh incarnation of Manu, the first creation according to Hindu mythology, found a tiny fish in his bathing water. The fish told him to look after it with devotion, for one day it would do him a great service. The seventh Manu cared for the fish until it grew so huge that he released it into the sea. Before departing, the fish warned Manu of an impending deluge when the entire world would be submerged and bade him to build a seaworthy ark. When the flood came, Matsya (fish), the first avatar of Lord Vishnu, towed Vaivasvata and the Seven Sages to safety. As the waters subsided, the seventh Manu's ark came to rest on a hillside and the place was named Manali after him.

Places to Visit at Manali

Hadimba Temple

The temple of the goddess Hadimba, who plays such a major part in kullu's annual festival, is a sombre wooden structure in a clearing in the dense forest about a km away from the tourist office. Hadimba is supposed to be the iwfe of Bhima in the epic Mahabharata. Its a pleasant stroll up to the temple, which was built in 1553. Also knows as Dhungri temple.

Tibetan Monastery

The colourful, pleasant new tibetan monastery has a carpet making operation; you can buy carpets and other tibetan handicrafts here.

Vashisht

Vashisht is a picturesque little place, clinging to the step hillside about three km out of manali. Vashisht is famous for its hot bath tubs at the top of the road by the temple and there are seperate tanks for men and women.

Solang Nullah

Himachal Pradesh's best ski slopes are at solang nullah, 14 km north-west of manali in the solang valley. There are 2.5 km of runs, with black,red and blue routes.

How To Get To Manali

By Air:

Manali has no airport of its own. The nearest airport is BHUNTAR (KULLU) is around 10 km south of Kullu town and 50 km from Manali. Flights are available to and from Lucknow, Delhi, Ludhiana and Shimla. Jagson Airlines and Indian Airlines operate regular flights to Kullu

By Rail:

Not a single direct rail for Manali. The nearest rail head is Chandigarh, 280 km and Joginder Nagar about 200 km away.

By Road:

The entire Kullu Valley is connected with various centres both inside and outside the state. Other than HPTDC, a fleet of buses is run by road transport corporations and private operators.