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One day, Varvasvata,
the seventh incarnation Manu found a tiny fish in his bathing
water. The fish told him to look after with devotion for one
day it would do him a great service. The seventh Manu cared
for the fish till the day 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 sea-worthy ark. When the flood came,
Varvasvata and seven sages were towed to safety by Matsya,
the fish -which is regarded as first avatar of Lord Vishnu.
As the water subsided the seventh Manu's ark came to the rest
on a hill side and the place was named Manali (2050 m) after
him.
As the art slowly dried, here arose a place of breath taking
natural beauty which was only appropriate at Manali that life
began again. Today this legendary cradle of all human kind
is a prime holiday destination. There are high mountains surrounded
by silent snows and deep boulder strew gorges. There are thick
forests full of cool breezes and bird songs. There are fields
of wild flowers, small picturesque hamlets and fruit laden
orchards.
ACCESS: The airport at Bhunter is 50 km from Manali where
taxis and buses are available. The closest narrow gauge railhead
is at Jogindernagar, 165 km away. The closest broad gauge
rail heads are Chandigarh (310 km) and Ambala (355 km). By
road the distance from Delhi via Mandi 570 km. and from Shimla
the distance is 280 km. From Shimla, Chandigarh and Delhi,
HImachal Tourism plies luxury buses to Manali.
CLIMATE: In winter, the temperature can drop to below freezing
point when heavy woollens are required. Summer temperature
are mild and light woollens/cottons are recommended.
PLACES OF INTEREST
HADIMBA TEMPLE (1 km): Built in 1553 and with a superbly crafted
four tiered pagoda roof, it is famous for its exquisitely
carved doorway.
MANU TEMPLE (2 km): This is dedicated to the sage Manu.
VASHISTH (3 km): Well known for its hot springs. There are
old temples dedicated to the sage Vashisth and to Lord Rama.
MONASTERIES: There are three recently built Tibetan monasteries
at Manali.
JAGATSUKH (6 km): The one time capital of Kullu. Here are
old temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and to Sandhya Gayatri.
The Arjun caves are just ahead.
SOLANG VALLEY(14 km): In a picturesque setting this has good
ski sloped and picnic spots. HPTDC organises ski packages
during winter.
TOWARDS THE ROHTANG PASS: On the road to keylong is the Nehru
Kund (6km) which is a clear water spring scenic spot named
after the Lat Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Kothi (12km) is a picturesque
village and has a thrilling view of the deep gorge through
which the beas swiftly races. The beautiful Rahalla falls
(16km) are at at altitude of 2500m. A crucial link on the
old trade-route and still the gateway to trans Himalayan Lahaul,
the Rohtang Pass is at height of 3980 m.
Manali literally means the 'Home of Manu'. Manu is the mythological
character who is supposed to have survived when the world
was drowned in Flood. He then came to Manali and recreated
human life. Thus, the area of Manali is sacred and Hindus
treat the temples over here as pilgrimage. |
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Kullu
- Manali