Apart from the various snow-covered peaks and beautiful apple orchard, there are a lot of tourist attractions in Manali. These tourist attractions can keep you occupied for three to four days.
Hadimba Temple
Manali boasts many places of tourist interest but the main and the center of the attraction is the Dhoongri Temple. This temple is both historically and archeologically important. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Hadimba or Hadimba Devi. The epic of Mahabharata has a description of Hadimba. It is belived that Hidamba was the wife of Bhim the strongest of five Pandava brothers.
This wooden temple is beautifully designed in a Pagoda style. The carving works done on the walls and main entrance door of the temple are very beautiful. There is a long queue for the darshan in peak tourist seasons (summer).
Manu Temple
Manu is believed to be the re-creator of the human race after the Maha Pralay or the great flood. Manu is also known as the ancient lawmaker according to the Hindu Scriptures. This is considered as the only temple of Manu Rishi in India.
Tibetan Monasteries
There are 3 newly constructed colorful monasteries in Manali. The Tibetans living around these monasteries in Manali offer a wide range of Tibetan handicrafts and carpets. Two of these monasteries are located in the main downtown of Manali and the third monastery is in Aleo. Aloe is located in Manali on the Left Bank of River Beas.
Vashist Hot Water Springs and Temple
Vashist, a small village that is located on the left bank of River Beas in Manali towards Rohtang pass. The Vashist is well known for its Hot Water Springs and Temples. Nearby to the spring is the Pyramidal stone temple, which is dedicated to Vashist Muni. In the spring there are two separate bathing tanks for gents and ladies respectably.
Club House
Club House in Manali is at 2 kms. walking distance from downtown. Club House is located on the Left Bank of Manalsu Nallah, which further flows down to River Beas. The Club House has indoor games facilities. Club House and its surroundings have been developed into beautiful picnic spots.
Solang Valley
Solang Valley in Manali is located at a distance of 13 km. It is a beautiful valley between Solang village and Beas Kund. Solang valley offers the view of glaciers and snow-capped mountains and peaks. Solang Valley is world-famous for its fine ski slopes. The Mountaineering Institute of Manali has installed a ski lift for training purpose. During the winter the skiing festival is organized here as well as training in skiing is imparted at this place.
Nehru Kund
It is a natural spring of clean and cold water. It was named after the late Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru. He used to drink the water from this spring whenever he used to stay in Manali. It is located on the Manali-Keylong road. This spring is believed to be coming from `Bhrigu Lake.
The Mall
Like most of the hill stations, Manali has a market known as ‘The Mall’. It is basically a long street, lined with shops that sell various traditional Tibetan, Himachali and Kashmiri handicrafts. Apart from Chinese clothes and shoes, prayer wheels, amulets, masks, musical instruments, and jewelry are amongst the most popular items here.
There are various restaurants and eating joints, which cater to the tourists having a wide range in budget and taste. The restaurants serve a variety of Indian and international cuisine, serving vegetarian and non - vegetarian delicacies. A tourist further has a choice of having the vegetarian fast food. There are bakeries and ice cream parlors in Manali which are known to satisfy the sweet-toothed. One can try the Manali food on Saturdays at the Club House in Old Manali.
The Tibetan delicacies can be tried at Little Tibet. The German Bakery located near the Mall road is famous amongst the tourist for the carrot cake, banana chocolate cake, cookies, brownies, croissants, and homemade cheddar and yak cheese, etc. German bakery has its branches in Haridwar and Bangalore also. The Pastas and the shakes at German bakery are simply irresistible. The Green Forest Café and Manu Café located near the Manu Temple offer a variety of delicacies, including a delectable range of sandwiches. Café Manalsu is located in the Manalsu River, serves a variety of Indian and continental food. The Chopsticks on the Mall road is known for its Chinese and Japanese servings.
Local Foods
Fruits and vegetables are included in the food of Manali. During celebrations and festivities, Vada, Bhatora, and Patrodu are served at the eating joints. Milk and milk-based recipes are mainly included in the food habit of Manali people. Homemade wine Chakti and Lugri, which is made of barley and red rice are a preferred Drink amongst locals and tourists. The traditional Manali food includes rice, curry or cooked beaten curd, a curd based dish, pulses, raita made of dry fruits, and sweet rice. The food is traditionally served on pattal (leaf plates).
Shopping & Market
The mall is the main market place in Manali. You can spend your evenings out here after visiting the tourist destination. The shops on the mall road sell mostly woolens. Manali is home to people from different cultures and places i.e. Kullu, Ladakhis, Tibetans, Kashmiris, and Nepalese. Due to this difference in culture a tourist gets a variety of things to buy.
Woolens
Manali is known for its great bargains that one can pick up. The valley is best known for its woolen shawls and Tibetan carpets, fur caps and mufflers. On the way to Manali from Kullu, there is a cooperative shop selling various types of woolen materials at a very attractive price. This shop is known as the Kullu shawl factory.
Tibetan artifacts
Tibetan arts and jewelry made of silver and turquoise is available at the Tibetan Bazaar. Also, the shops, which sell Tibetan antiques, are interesting and popular among foreign tourists.
Handicrafts and Shawls
Apart from the Tibetan jewelry, a tourist can’t also afford to miss the Kashmir Handicraft Co-operation, which is near the Bus Stand. Here you can find a wide range of Pashmina shawls and Kashmiri mementos. Bhutto and Himbunkar in Kullu on mall road are famous for handicrafts, which are typical to the region. They also sell Kinnauri shawls. Sultanpur Market in Kullu is a place where you can find the traditional jewelry of tribes of Manali. At Vashisht close to mall road there are a number of shops selling the idols of gods and goddesses and antiques.
Every day is a festival in Manali. The people are very lively and belong to various cultures. A blend of different cultures is seen in Manali. The celebrations in Manali last almost the entire year. Some event or festival takes place every month. Some of the festivals celebrated in the valley are:
Dussehra
Dussehra is the most widely celebrated festival of India. The festival is celebrated with great pomp and splendor to mark the victory of good over evil. On this day effigies of the Ravana are burnt to pay homage to Lord Rama`s victory. The festival has an added flavor in the Manali valley. The festival is celebrated for a week. A fusion of the cultural attributes and religious fervor can be seen in the weeklong festival. The festival is celebrated in the month of October.
The festival begins by Goddess Hadimba’s idol being brought to Kullu. The idol of Lord Rama is placed next to Goddess Hadimba in a beautifully decorated chariot and is pulled up the hill. At the same time, almost hundreds of gods and goddesses are placed on colorful palanquins and taken around in a procession. On the sixth day, the gods get together for the Devta Durbar. On a ninth day the royal procession reaches the Beas River and a pile of thorn bushes is set afire to depict the burning of Lanka. Finally, the palanquin reaches its original spot and this signifies the zenith of Dussehra.
Pipal Jatra or the Vasantotsava
Pipal Jatra or the Vasantotsava commences on the 16th day of Baisakh (April), The carnival is celebrated at the fairgrounds of Kullu`s Dhalpur. During the carnival songs and dance, shows are performed. The colorful stalls add to the enjoyment quotient.
The Bhuntar Mela (fair)
It is a three-day-long social event celebrated in the small town of Bhuntar. It is said that the festival is celebrated to thank the generous divinities for their blessings, due to which a prosperous harvest is obtained.
Bandhu or ghost dance
The festival is celebrated in the month of January in the morning hours. This festival is celebrated by males only. During the wee morning hours, the males dance to ward off the evils.
Horn Dance
The festival is also performed in the month of January but during the nights. This is a ten-day festival. The traditional dance is performed by six people dressed as deer, clowns, and women.
Winter Carnival
Winter carnival is the most awaited event in the valley. The carnival is celebrated in Manu Kala Kendra in Manali. It is attended by students of various colleges across India. The festival is celebrated for 5 days during which several cultural competitions like Indian classical music, folk songs, dances, plays and personality competitions are organized.
Kiomoi Must-Dos while you are in Manali
Ballooning: Having a view of the whole valley from a height is worth witnessing. The hot air balloons are chained with a rope at the ground and are left free in the sky.
Jeep Safaris: Exploring the untouched nature, far from the hustle-bustle of the city.
Mountain biking: A freewheeling down the slope is definitely a thrilling experience for not only the avid bikers.
Mountaineering & Climbing: The allure of Himalayas is enticing for the mountaineers, as they are the greatest range of mountains on earth.
Paragliding: It is all about flying free in the sky. Manali is a preferred location of the paragliders.
Rafting: Manali is one of Asia`s finest sites for rafting. You don`t need to be an ace swimmer to experience the thrill of rafting.
Walking: You can opt for long walks to various temples, monasteries, waterfalls and beautiful hills.
Trekking: Trekking on the steep mountains of the Himalayas is a dream of the trekkers worldwide. Don`t miss the chance.
Zorbing: Rolling down the hill in a ball is a thrill to hear itself. How exciting it would be to try it out.
Photography: A click in the traditional colorful dress of Manali with a white rabbit or yak cost just rupees 50.
Making Snowman: Snow point is closest to Manali with ample snow, here you can build a snowman or pound your friends with snowballs.
Horse riding: Follow Shepard`s trail, here you may not find anyone other than your soul and some sheep.
Shopping: Shop here for a wide range of woolens, world-famous Himachali jams, chutneys, pickles, handlooms, and the famous Pashmina shawls and carpets.
Take a Bath: A bath in the spiritual and the medicinal Vashisht Spring is considered highly beneficial.
Camping: Camping is a much sought after activity at Manali.
