Also called the Valley of the Gods, Manali is a resort town located on the banks of the Beas River in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh. It is surrounded by the towering mountains of the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges of the Lesser Himalayas. As a result, Manali has everything required for becoming the perfect all-weather tourist destination – Majestic Views, Cool Temperature, and Snowy Winters! So let’s have a look at some places to visit in Manali that will make you fall in love with the place:
Top FAQs to know before visiting Manali
1. Hadimba Temple :
The Hadimba temple, dedicated to Goddess Hadimba is one of the most popular tourist places in Manali was built in AD 1553 by Maharaja Bahadur Singh. According to Mahabharata, Hadimba was the wife of Bheema, the strongest Pandava brother and mother of Ghatotkacha! The Hadimba temple is among the most famous tourist places in Manali and hence has visitors all around the year. The number increases during Navaratri, when people in Manali gather around the temple and pray to Goddess Hadimba, the protector of the region.
Location: Just 2.5km from the city of Manali.
Timings : 8:00 a.m. to 6:00pm.
Entry Fee: None
Photography: Allowed
2. Manali Gompa :
Manali Gompa, also known as the “Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa” is a beautiful Buddhist Monastery that was built during the Tibetan Uprising in the 1960s. Above all, this place is sacred to the Buddhists and pilgrims from far and wide who come here to seek blessings from Lord Buddha. This is definitely a place you must visit in Manali!
Location: 200 meters from the Mall
Timings: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (closed on Sundays)
Entry Fee: None
Photography: Allowed
3. Vashisht Temple and Village :
The Vashisht temple is located in the village of Vashisht near Manali and is among the most popular places of interest in Manali. Above all, this place finds its mention in the Hindu epic of Ramayana. It is believed that the village was founded by Vashisht Muni, the Guru of Lord Rama and his brothers. In addition to this, the village has hot water springs where tourists can take refreshing baths in the lap of nature!
Location: 3.5 km from the city of Manali
Timings: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day
Entry Fee: None
Photography: Allowed
4. Rohtang Pass :
We have all heard about the Rohtang Pass, the most popular tourist place in Manali. But did you know? Rohtang in Ladakhi means ‘a field of corpses’. This is due to the fact that hundreds of people used to die due to bad weather conditions attempting to cross this pass! However, things have changed now – wide and well-maintained roads have solved the problem of accessibility. As a result, every year lakhs of tourists flock to this place to enjoy the snow and experience the breathtaking views of Rohtang and this has become a popular tourist destination in Manali.
Location: 60km from Manali
Timings: N/A
Photography: Allowed and Recommended
5. Old Manali :
One of the most offbeat places to visit in Manali is the Old Manali, situated on the opposite bank of the River Beas. Free from the regular buzz of city life, this is a place most preferred by solo travelers and backpackers seeking peace and tranquility. Moreover, the city is home to popular cafes like Dylan’s Toasted and Roasted Coffee House, The Johnson’s Cafe, and the Lazy Dog Lounge.
Location: 2km from Manali
Timings: N/A
Photography: Recommended
6. Solang Valley :
Solang Valley, located just 13km is a hub of adventure sports in Manali. Tourists from far and wide flock to this place to indulge in adventure activities like Paragliding, Skiing, etc. Especially during winters, this place becomes crowded with tourists and has earned its reputation as one of India’s most popular ski resorts! As the snow melts in the summer months of April and May, skiing and snow-biking are replaced by summer sports like horse riding and paragliding! For those who want to reach the summit, there are cable-car services too! The cable-car provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal Ranges! Hence, for people seeking fun and adventure, Solang Valley is one of the best places to visit from Manali!
Location: 14km from Manali
Timings: N/A
Photography: Recommended
7. Mall Road Manali :
The Manali Mall road is perhaps the most important and happening place in Manali. The Mall Road is a shopper’s paradise! It contains showrooms, departmental stores, shops, and cafes for those who are looking for a stress-relieving shopping session when in Manali. You can find handicraft products – shawls, pottery, wooden products, etc. prepared by the local artisans. For tourists visiting the city, this is among the must-visit places in Manali!
Location: Heart of the City of Manali
Timings: 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Photography: Recommended
FAQs about Manali :
Q1. What is the best time to visit Manali?
Ans. The best time to visit Manali during Summer is from March to June when temperatures are moderate. However, if you want to experience snowfall, the winter months of December to February will be the best for you.
Q2. How to reach Manali?
Ans. You can reach Manali from Delhi, Chandigarh, Pathankot through cabs or buses. The cab fare ranges between 7000-10000 rupees from Delhi and between 3000-5000 rupees from Chandigarh.
Q3. Which is the nearest airport to Manali?
Ans. The Kullu Manali Airport, located at a distance of 50km from the city is the nearest airport to Manali. It is well connected with domestic flights from Delhi and Chandigarh.
Q4. Which is the nearest railway station to Manali?
Ans. Kalka (275km), Chandigarh (320km), and Pathankot(290km) are the railway stations closest to Manali. They are well connected to different parts of India.
Q5. Where should I stay in Manali?
Ans. There are lots of hotels and homestays in Manali. It won’t be difficult to find one suited to your budget.
For more details on how to visit, where to stay and places to visit in Manali and Manali Tour Packages click here
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