Kulllu-Manali - Himachal Pradesh

How To Reach

Nearest convenient rail head are Chandigarh and Pathankot. Manali is well connected by road with Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Haridwar, Shimla, Dharamsala and Chamba/Dalhousie. Regular buses ply between these stations. It is connected with Leh during July to October.

Tourism

Hadimba Temple - Historical and archeological point of view the chief attractions of manali, Dhoongri Temple is dedicated to goddess Hadimba, the Bhim of Mahabharat fame. This temple constructed in pagoda style displays the finest example of wood carving on it. Inside the temple, stone idol of Hadimba has been installed, which is about 60 cm. On the left side of the entrance there are 10 cm. feet (Charan Paduka) of the Goddess Durga. The temple was built by Raja Bahadur Singh in 1553 AD. Hadimba was a giantess who meditated at his place. She married to Bhima, one of the five Pandavas who visited here during their exile (Mahabharata Period). Because of her penance, she attained the position of Durga. There is a rock inside the temple about which it is believed that Hadimba meditated on this rock. In local dialect, this rock is called 'Dhoonger'. The temple and place is named after it. A large festival is held here in May.

Manu Temple the temple of Manu Maharaj is located in Manali village, which is about1 1.5 km from the main town. It is believed that this is the only temple of Manu in India, who was the creator of human race on the earth. Manu Smriti was written by him.

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.

Tibetan Monasteries There are 3 newly constructed colorful monasteries, where visitors can buy carpets and other Tibetan handicrafts. Two are located in the town and one at Aleo on the left bank of Beas river.

Mountaineering Institute Located 3 kms. on the left bank of river Beas towards Kulu. This Institute organises basic & advance training courses, in trekking, mountaineering, skiing and water sports. Skiing and trekking equipments can be hired from here by booking in advance. Tourists can visit an interesting showroom here.

Vashist Hot Water Springs and Temple about 3 kms beyond Manali and is renowned for its hot sulphur springs named as Bashisht or Vashist and temples. Nearby is the pyramidal stone temple dedicated to Vashist Muni. There is another Temple of Lord Ram here. 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.

Nehru Kund is about 6 kms from Manali on Manali-Keylong road at National Highway to Leh, a natural spring of cold clear water named after, Pt. Jwahar Lal Nehru, who used to drink water from this spring during his stay in Manali. This spring is believed to originate from the Bhrigu lake situated high-up in the mountains.

Solang Valley is about thirteen kms. is a splendid valley between Solang village and Beas Kund. Solang valley offers the view of nearest glaciers from manali and snow capped mountains and peaks. It has fine ski slopes. The Mountaineering Institute has installed a ski lift for training purpose. Located here is a hut and guest house of the Mountaineering and Allied sports Institute, Manali. Now a few hotels have also come up. The winter skiing festival is organized here. Training in skiing is imparted at this place.

Kothi: Situated on the road to Rohtang pass, a picturesque spot, Kothi is 12kms. from Manali. A PWD rest house is situated on a ridge overlooking a narrow valley with a very good view of mountains and valleys. Large number of films (movies) have been picturised at this place and is the ideal resting resorts of poets, writers and the lovers of peaceful environs.

Rahala Water 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.

Rohtang Pass about 3,978 mt. above sea level. Rohtang pass is 51kms. from Manali on highway to Keylong/Leh. The lenght of the pass is about 1 km. and has served as the route for many centuries for trade with Lahaul, Ladakh and to far away countries in Central Asia. It offers a panorama and spectacular mountain view. The pass is open from June to October each year although trekkers can cross it earlier. It is a gateway to Lahaul Spiti, Pangi and Leh valley just as Zojila pass is a gateway to Ladakh. There are beautiful sights of glaciers, peaks and Chandra river flows down in the Lahaul valley. Slightly to the left are the twin peaks of the Geypan. During summer (mid June to October) regular buses ply between Manali-Keylong/Darcha, Udaipur, Spiti and Leh. Daily bus service is available at Manali for a trip to Rohtang-pass. The reservations for this trip may be done with assistance of Tourism Development Officer, at Manali.

Arjun Gufa(Cave) is about five kms from Manali towards Naggar, the cave is situated a little up from the left bank road near the Prini village, 1km. above the road where Arjun had meditated. According to a legend, Arjuna under the advice of  Vyasa rishi practiced austerities in a cave in order to get the powerful 'Pashupata Astra' from Indra. This is good 1/2 a day excursion with charming view of the brilliant mountains.

Jagatsukh: is located on the left bank on Beas on the road to Naggar. It is about twelve km from Naggar and six km from Manali. The place is famous for very old temples of Lord Shiva and Sandhya Gayatri in Shikhara style, these are worth a visit. Before reaching Jagatsukh a place Shooru, near the entrance to Hamta Nullah, is passed at which is located the ancient and historical temple of Devi Sarvali.

How To Reach

The airport is at Bhuntar, 10kms from Kulu. Indian Airlines, Trans Bharat Aviation and Jagson flights with Delhi & Shimla, all are connected by Kullu. Nearest convenient rail heads are Kalka, Chandigarh and Pathankot on Broad Gauge from where Kullu can be reached by road. Regular direct buses ply between Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh, Shimla, Dehradun, Pathankot, Dharamsala & Dalhousie etc. and local buses operate between Kullu-Manali and Manikaran regularly. Taxis are also available.

Tourism

Bijli Mahadev Shrine situated at an altitude of 2435 mts on a hill called Mathan 11 km. from Kullu. From the temple a panoramic view of Kulu & Parvati valleys can be seen. The temple is in 'khash' style. 20 mt high wooden pole stands. Bijli Mahadev temple glistens like a silver needle in the sun. In this temple of lightening it is said, the tall staff attracts the divine blessings in the form of lightening. A regular bus goes upto Chansari village, 14 km from Kullu. The remaining three km. are to be traversed on foot. There is great rush at the temple in the month of July. A visit to this place provides enjoyable and memorable moments.

Raghunathji Temple 1 km. from Dhalpur. The temple was constructed in 1660 AD with a mixed look of Pahari and Pyramidal style. Raghunathji is the principal deity of the valley. Dussehra festival is held in its name. Everyday puja (aarti) is held for five times. It is said that Raja Jagat Singh used charanamrit of the idol for 42 days and was absolved from the evil effect of the curse of a Brahmin Durga Dutt.

Vaishno Devi Temple at a distance of 4kms. from Dhalpur. There is small cave with an idol of Durga just like Vaishno Devi Temple. In 1964, a saint established this temple. There is a Lord Shiva temple also. The atmosphere of this temple is peaceful and calm. Flow of river Beas in front of the temple gives this place a commanding view.

Naggar it is 27 kms from Kullu and 5 kms from Patli Kulh on the left bank of the Beas and about 300 mts above the river, is delightfully situated on a wooden slope and excellent views, especially of the north and west of the valley. There is a bridge across the river Beas connecting Naggar and Patli Kulh. Naggar succeeded Nast (Jagatsukh) as the capital of Kullu. There are large number of famous temples notably Vishnu, Tripura Sundari & Lord Krishana. At the foot of the small bazar, below the castle is the Gauri-Shankar Temple of Lord Shiva. Cars and jeeps easily go up to the Naggar castle. Roerich art gallery which houses the paintings of Nicholas Roerich as well as his sculptures is less than a km. from the Castle.

Kasol (1640 m) is situated on the bank of Paravati river, Kasol makes a good holiday destination. 42kms. from Kulu, charmingly located on an open space which slopes down to the broad expanse of clear white sand at the Parvati river. The place is well known for trout fishing.

Manikaran at an altitude of 1,829 mt., 45kms. from Kulu and just 3kms. from Kasol, is famous for its hot springs. Rockes surrounding the spring are uncomfortably hot, while the temperature of the water is above boiling point. Thousands of people take a holy dip in hot waters here. The water is so hot that dal, rice & vegetables etc. can be cooked in it. It is also a well known pilgrimage place for both Hindus & Sikhs. Ramchandra and Shivaji temples besides a Gurudwara are there. According to an old legend, Manikaran is connected with Lord Shiva and his divine consort, Parvati, who lost her ear rings here, which gave birth to hot waters on the bank of Parvati river. Hearing this religious myth from the priests will be more rewarding and interesting.

Malana (2652 m) Little ahead of the beautiful Chanderkhani Pass lies the village Malana which is famous for the temple of Jamlu and its distinct, social and cultural life. Malana is considered to be the oldest democracy in the world. It would be worth while to visit this village to study the style and social system prevalent there. The inhabitants of Malana speak a peculiar language of their own, called Kanashi, which is entirely different from Pahari of Kullu and is mixture of aboriginal Mundari and Tibetan.

Shringa Rishi Temple Rishi Shringa is the chief diety of Banjar valley. This valley is Rishi's 'Tapo Bhoomi’. According to a legend, there was a 'Pindi' (A sacred stone) in the forest at Skeeran. The Pindi asked every passer by for its installation in a temple. The people built a temple in the forest at Skeeran. But then they found it difficult to go there for worship. So they built another temple of the Rishi the Bagi village. The new temple is 12 km from the original one. Every year in the month of May, Rishi makes a visit to this place. The diety is kept in its chariot all the time. The new temple is in Pagoda and Pahari style with four roofs. The wooden work is marvelous. The idols inside the temple are of stone and brass. The temple remains closed during winter.