Once a quiet village nestled in the mountains of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, Manali was transformed into a bustling town full of hotels and restaurants in the last decades. Popular among the domestic and foreign tourists alike, Manali offers an alpine feel even in the summer, as a stark contrast to the overcrowded and overheated Indian cities.
Surrounded by the perpetual snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, and flanked by the Beas river meandering through the town, Manali is truly a place of breathtaking views. The impossibly high mountains, considered to be a dwelling place of Gods and Goddesses, are looking down on grassy valleys, fields full of wild flowers, and thick deodar and mountain pine forests.
However, despite the high altitude, Manali is not by any stretch of imagination a frigid and desolate place. Being close to the tropics, it is surprisingly damp and fertile here: huge ferns and rhododendrons, yuccas, and even Cannabis Sativa plants are a common sight. This hill station boasts a flourishing orchards industry: you can see the high trees weighted down by apples and plums.
This retreat high in the mountains is a popular honeymoon destination.
Those looking for souvenirs can find both local cheese and yams, shawls and traditional artifacts, while shopping at the market along the Mall road, the lifeline of Manali. For a small fee, tourists can pose for photographs with Yaks. The Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art houses a collection of traditional dresses, jewelery, utensils and wood carvings, which offers a visitor a glimpse into history, culture and art of the region’s ancient inhabitants.
More adventurous spirits will enjoy skiing, mountaineering, rock-climbing, trekking and river rafting.
Manali is an ancient town. Legend has it that it was founded by Manu, the first man, a mythological character whose ark found a resting place here after a great flood. That would make Manali a legendary cradle of the human race; the place where the life began anew. Manali literally means “the home of Manu”.
For Hindus, this is a sacred place and its temples are visited by pilgrims. The most important temple in Manali is Hadimba Devi Temple located in the middle of a forest, famous for its doorway carved with mythological figures and symbols. There is a small stone temple in old Manali dedicated to Manu. There are also temples in nearby Vashist, a small village well known for its hot springs.
Anita Bern
