Manali

Overview

Nestled dramatically at the northern end of the Kullu Valley along the banks of the roaring turquoise Beas River at an altitude of 2,050 meters (6,726 feet), Manali is India's premier mountain adventure and resort destination. Named after the ancient lawgiver Sage Manu ('Manu-Alaya' or Abode of Manu), Manali is surrounded by soaring snow-capped peaks of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges, dense cedar forests, and cascading mountain waterfalls.

At the cultural heart of Old Manali stands the historic 1553 AD Hadimba Devi Temple, a four-tiered wooden pagoda-style shrine surrounded by towering giant deodar trees in the Dhungri forest. Dedicated to Goddess Hadimba, the wife of Pandava prince Bhima, the temple features intricate wood carvings of mythic dragons, animals, and ancient deities. Nearby lies the ancient Sage Manu Temple in Old Manali, reachable via cobblestone paths lined with cozy cafes, bohemian boutiques, and traditional Himachali wooden houses.

Manali is world-renowned as an adventure capital. Solang Valley, located 14 km from the town center, is a high-altitude playground offering paragliding, zorbing, quad biking, ropeway rides, and winter skiing slopes. Beyond Solang Valley lies the engineering marvel Atal Tunnel (9.02 km long at an altitude of 3,000 meters), connecting Manali directly to the trans-Himalayan realm of Lahaul Valley year-round. Further up the winding high mountain pass route is Rohtang Pass at 3,978 meters, offering breathtaking glaciers, perpetual snowfields, and panoramic vistas of high Himalayan peaks.

Visitors to Manali can also experience the soothing geothermal natural sulfur hot springs at Vashisht village, explore Naggar Castle—a 15th-century wood-and-stone palace built by Raja Sidh Singh overlooking the Kullu valley—and visit the Nicholas Roerich Himalayan Art Gallery exhibiting masterpiece landscape paintings of the Himalayas. River rafting on the Beas River, trekking to Jogini Waterfalls, and shopping for authentic Kullu shawls on Mall Road are highlights for every traveler.

Manali welcomes travelers throughout the year. Summer brings lush greenery and pleasant temperatures, monsoon creates mist-draped mountain valleys, while winter blankets Solang Valley and Old Manali in heavy powder snow. Shiv Bhumi Travel Agency organizes complete Manali holiday packages, 4x4 Rohtang & Atal Tunnel excursions, luxury hotel accommodations, and customized family and honeymoon itineraries with pickup support from Chandigarh, Bhuntar, and Delhi.