Manali: A traveller's paradise, a photographer's delight

Perched amidst snow-clad Himalayan peaks and home to picturesque river valleys, quaint cafes and lively street markets, Manali is one of India’s most loved hill stations. From exploring the cobblestone paths of Old Manali to trying out adventure sports at Solang Valley, there are a variety of experiences you can pack into your 24 hours in Manali. Savour a hearty meal at a riverside café, pick up some touristy knick-knacks or just take a leisurely stroll on the Mall Road—Manali has something for every kind of traveller.

There’s a lot to choose from when it comes to the places to visit in Manali. Nestled amidst the majestic Pir-Panjal and the Dhauladhar Ranges, the hill town of Manali is an ideal getaway from city snarls. From the famous Hadimba Temple and the hot water springs of Vashisht to the Tibetan Centre Gadhan Thekchokling Gumpa, Manali is home to a myriad of charming experiences. Adrenaline addicts can also head to Solang Valley for paragliding, zorbing and skiing. From backpackers hanging out in the hippy villages to travellers indulging in adventurous activities, Manali has something or the other for all kinds of travellers.

Major being Hidimba Devi temple, Shiva temple in Manali and Vasishta Temple in Vasisht. The Vashisht temple has a black stone idol of Vashishta Muni. Near Vasistha Muni temple, there is a hot water sulphur springs. There are separate bathrooms for men and women. There is a Lord Rama temple nearby. The temples are built with extensively carved stones and wood. There were people playing traditional music when the arti was being performed.

The Manali market is a nice place for shopping. Great sweaters, shawls, stoles, silk and so many things. It is a good place for eating out too! Good restaurants are all around.Visited a monastery very near to the market. The place is beautiful and has few shops which sell Tibetan traditional items.

Excursions- Manikaran

In Himachal Pradesh, though Manali is honeymooner's paradise, Kullu is referred to as Valley of Gods. Nearby Kullu Valley is Parvati Valley where a small religious town called Manikaran resides, main attraction here being a hot springs in the beautiful landscape. The existence of many temples and a gurudwara indicate it is an important pilgrimage center for more than one religion. A half-a-day or day-long excursion from Manali.


There are two legends associated with Manikaran. The first, Manu Maharshi created human life from this sacred place.

The second legend which gives the name to the place is related to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is believed that both lived here for eleven hundred years. Once Shiva-Parvati were walking on the banks of river and Parvati lost one of her wish fulfilling jewels (chintamani) in the water. She asked Shiva to retrieve it. Shiva then ordered his gana (attendents) to find it. Shiva was extremely angry when the jewel was not found. The Gods asked the serpent God Shesha Nag to pacify Shiva. To do this Shesha Nag hissed which resulted in a flow of boiling water with the jewels. Parvati was happy to see the jewels and Shiva calmed down. Since then the hot spring exists here and the water is considered very auspicious. It is believed that the water has curative powers.

The water is so hot that the rice can be cooked here. The whole area is so hot and walking is difficult on the hot pavement. There are gunny-bags and wooden planks to walk over. There is a stone image of Lord Shiva in his angry mood just over the boiling pond. It is the most beautiful Shiva image I have ever seen. Little distance from here at the center of the town is a Lord Ramachandra temple. It is believed that the idol of Lord Rama installed here was brought from Ayodhya by the King of Kullu.

The Gurudwara has a bath just below it. There is Hot gufa (cave) which is a natural steaming center. It seems Guru Nanakji visited this place for welfare of the people in this region and is hence holy for Sikh.

Excursions- Hidimba Devi Temple

Hidimba Devi temple in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, the most popular among Hidimba temples. The most powerful being in Kullu Valley. The 500 year old Dhoongri temple is built with wood and has a wooden pagoda with three tapering roofs. The doors and the outer walls are carved very beautifully and intricately. The Hidimba Devi image is in a massive rock cave. The temple is one of the five sites awaiting to be added to UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.

There is a rope hanging near the rock. The legend says that, those days hands of sinners would be tied to this rope and sinners would be pushed hard swinging against the rock!

Hidimba Devi, is a short role in the great Hindu epic Mahabharatha. She was one of the wives of Bhimasena, the second brother of Pandavas, and mother of Ghatotkacha. She belonged to Kirataka tribe (forest dwellers) from Nepal. She and her brother Rakshasa Hidimbasura wanted to eat Pandavas. Bhima killed Hidimbasura and married Hidimba Devi instead.

There are many animal antlers along with the head of the animal mounted on the walls. At first I felt strange that in a temple? Then realized the temple itself is of a forest dweller who wanted to eat humans :)

A short walk towards the west is the tree temple of Ghatotkacha, the only son of Hidimba Devi and Bhima. There were many embellishments (or offerings?) on the tree trunk much different from that of temples in the south.

It was a nice experience to visit an ancient temple of rakshasi, built of wood!

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Excursions- Naggar

Naggar, 26KM from main town Kullu, is a calm and beautiful village in the Himalayan state, Himachal Pradesh. In ancient years it was the capital city of Kullu Kingdom. The castle and the rock temples prove this fact.

Naggar Castle is a 16th century castle built by one of the Rajas of Kullu. Now, this heritage property is converted into Government run hotel, tariff is around Rs.1,700+. It stands on the edge of a cliff and from the open and cold wooden balconies one can have stunning views of Kullu valley. There is a display of masks, traditional musical instruments in the gallery.

Nicholas Roerich house is a popular tourist attraction. The house is converted into an art gallery displaying the Roerich's paintings of Himalayas. The house is in a fragile state and hence tourists are not allowed inside. The interiors can be seen through glass panels of closed windows. The Roerich memorial is set in a very peaceful site. Svetoslav Roerich, second son of Nicholas, married Indian actress Devika Rani.

The visitors here are mostly foreigners, particularly Russians. There were very few Indians (who were visiting India). It seems this place was owned by Raja of Kullu (or Mandi?) and Roerich bought the house from him. I spent a lot of time here walking up-down the hill while enjoying the lush around.

There is also a Himalayan Research Institute and museum called Uruswati displaying the Himalayan lifestyle. Artifacts include apparel, weapons, utensils and so on ... also the images of deities like Lord Krishna, Narasimha. The life-size dolls of the tribe-couples are beautiful.

Tripura Sundari temple is located down the road from Naggar Castle, built of deodar wood in pagoda style with three roofs. I was very curious to see this temple which was unfortunately closed. This temple has a tradition of offering dead bodies as clothes to the Goddess!

Gauri Shankar Temple in Naggar is popular for its architecture and also for the belief that visiting this temple opens the doors to heaven. Whatever :), the temple is a protected monument under ASI. The temple was closed but I had a peek inside to see the image of God and Goddess, well everyone wants to go to heaven!