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Manali travel

General info

At the northern end of the Kullu valley sits the ancient site, but modern town, of Manali. It is a pleasant, if overdeveloped, town with lovely forests and orchards nearby for hiking, and good facilities for visitors. In the 1970s and 1980s, Manali was very much a 'scene'. In summer, the town would attract numerous western hippies and travellers drawn by the high quality marijuana that grows in the area. High season is mid-April to late June, mid-September to early November, mid-September to early November, Christmas and new year.

Money :

The State Bank of India and UCO bank, opposite the tourist offices, will only change Thomas Cook and American Express travellers cheques. A moneychanger at the Solang hotel, on school road, keeps more convenient hours and will change all major brands of travellers cheques as well as cash.

Shopping

There are plenty of places to buy clothes and souvenirs in Manali, particularly along the Mall. Some of the better places are the Charitrust Tibetan Handicraft emporium on the Mall, or any of the cooperatives run by local women. The Tibetan market, spread around the back of the hotel Ibex, has a good range of thangkas and silver and turquoise jewellery.

Dhungri Temple

Dhungri Temple : The Dhungri or Hadimba temple is a four storey wooden building in the middle of a lovely forested parkland, known as the Dhungri Van Vihar. Erected in 1553, the temple is dedicated to the goddess Hadimba and the features intricate wooden carvings of dancers and characters from various Hindu stories. Every May, there is a major festival at the temple, when sacrifices are carried out in honour of Hadimba.

Solang Nullah

Solang Nullah : Some of Himachal Pradesh's best skiing slopes are at Solang Nullah, about 13 kms north-west of Manali. February and March are the best months to ski. The area is very pretty in spring and summer and offers great hikes.

Museums

Museum of Traditional Himachal Culture : This small, privately funded museum near the Dhungri temple is worth a quick visit. The curator has spent years collecting folk art and handicrafts from surrounding villages to protect the traditions of the Kullu valley.

Hadimba Temple

Temple of Hadimba Devi : With a four-tiered, pagoda shaped roof and a front doorway carved with figures and symbols, the lovely temple stands as a mute tribute to the supreme artist who sacrificed the very hand with which he carved his pa en in wood to the goddess of the Dhoongri Temple- Hadimba Devi, wife of Bhim--the Pandva. Every year in the month of May there is a major festival.

Rahalla Falls

Rahalla Falls : About 4 kms away from Kothi and 16 kms from Manali town, at the start of the climb to the Rohtang Pass, are the beautiful Rahalla water falls at an altitude of 2,501 metres (8,500 ft). It is approachable by bus, jeep or pony.


Rohtang Pass

Rohtang Pass : Situated about 51 kms from Manali town at an altitude of 4,111 metres (13,400 ft) on the highway to Keylong, is Rohtang Pass. Now regular bus service plies over it from Manali to Keylong in Lahaul district. Here one sees the majesty of the mountains at its height and splendour. At the top of the Pass the air seems to glitter against the snow as you look down over herringboned ridges into the Lahaul Valley. There is a beautiful Dashohar Lake left to the pass, where pilgrims go every year on the auspicious day of 20th Bhadon. This is the only access to Lahaul valley. The pass is open from June to September each year although trekkers can cross the pass a little earlier.

Beas Kund

The famous Beas Kund, the source of the Beas river, at the Rohtang Pass is easily accessible. The great Vyas Rishi performed 'tapa' here during the Mahabharat Kal. The place is still hallowed by the celestial light. It was because of this that the river got the present name of Beas.

Jgatsukh

It is one of the biggest villages in Kullu district. Jagatsukh is on the left bank of the Beas and the road from Naggar to Manali runs through the village. Jagatsukh is 12 kms from Naggar and 6 kms from Manali. The place is famous for very old temples, in the village, particularly the Shiva Temple in Shikhara style and nearby old and interesting Devi Sharvali temple.

Tibetan Monastery

Tibetan Monastery : It is new and colourful. A pleasant place to visit. It is famous for carpet weaving. Visitors can buy carpets and other Tibetan handicrafts from here.