Hadimba Temple Manali: This temple, with a finely wrought
four - tiered pagoda roof, dating back to 1553, is built
around a natural cave, which enshrines the footprints
of the goddess Hadimba.
Hadimba was the wife of Bhima, one of the five great
Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata, and later became
the patron goddess of the Kullu royal family. Hadimba
or Dhungiri temple in Manali is one of the most important
temples in the region. This four story wooden temple
is located in the middle of a forest called the Dhungiri
Van Vihar. From the name of the forest parkland this
temple derives its name. This temple was erected in
1553 and is dedicated to Goddess Hadimba. The temple
has some intricate wooden carvings which depicts mythological
characters and motifs of animals & cosmic dancers.
Every year in May a major festival is organized here.
This place is a popular picnic spot among the tourists.
Manali
also houses three Tibetan monasteries, that have been
built recently. There are three recently built Tibetan
monasteries at Manali.
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Three kms from Manali is the village of Vashisht, which
is renowned for its hot sulphur springs. The village
is also the site of some old temples, dedicated to the
great sage Vashisht, and to Lord Rama. The Himachal
Tourism sulphur baths are just beyond these shrines.
Solang Nullah is in a
side valley at the top of the Kullu valley. It is the
site of Manali’s ski school and, once the snow
has gone, all the local paragliding 'schools'. Phatru
is a steep, rocky face above Solang Nullah, facing roughly
east. Take-off is about one hour’s climb above
the ski school. There is no top landing, but good bottom
landing near the school or in the fields above Solang
village on the opposite side of the river. From 10am
until 1pm or so there are many excellent thermal sources.
In the afternoon the sun is often hidden by cloud forming
on the higher mountains behind and it can get rough
as soon as it is out of direct sun. In a picturesque
setting this has good ski sloped and picnic spots. HPTDC
organises ski packages during winter. Around 14 kms
from Manali, is the Solang valley, that boasts of the
glacier nearest to the resort. Replete with terrific
picnic - spots, the amazing ski slopes here are full
of hectic activity, come January - February.
Six kms from Manali, on the way to Keylong, is the Nehru
Kund, a beautiful spring named after the late Pt. Jawaharlal
Nehru, former Prime Minister of India.
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This is dedicated to the sage Manu. Just near the Hadimba
temple flows the Manalsu River, that culminates in the
main Beas river. Across the Manalsu river is the original
village of Manali, that houses the ancient temple of
the sage Manu. Manali itself is named after Manu, who
is said to have dwelt here.
Beyond
which is the Rohtang Pass, 51 kms from Manali. Located
at a height of 3980 m, the Pass once served as a crucial
trade route, and still remains the gateway to the districts
of Lahaul and Spiti.The Pass is open from June to November
each year, and provides wonderful views of the entire
surroundings. Just beyond the Pass is the Sonapani Glacier
and the twin peak of Gaypan.
Five
kms from Manali near the village of Prini is the Arjun
Gufa, Arjuna's cave. Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers,
is believed to have performed his penance here.
The one time capital of Kullu. Here are old temples
dedicated to Lord Shiva and to Sandhya Gayatri. The
Arjun caves are just ahead.
Bottom of Rohtang Pass Kothi (12km) is a picturesque
village and has a thrilling view of the deep gorge through
which the beas swiftly races. , an idyllic village,
which boasts of a superb view of the deep gorge, and
the Beas river rushing through it. Sixteen kms from
Manali, at an altitude of 2500 m are the magnificent
Easy to get to (except the walk!) The slopes above Kothi
are a steep one-hour walk up from the road, but there
are excellent thermals coming off the rocks and it is
a favourite of the local eagles. Plenty of bottom landing
in the fields around Kothi village.
The Mountaineering Institute in Manali organises skiing,
rock climbing and mountaineering courses. The common
trek routes lead out from Manali to Leh, Bhrigu Lake,
Chandratal, and Spiti. For fishing enthusiasts, Katrain,
Raison, Kasol, Larji, and Nagar are some of the ideal
places for trout.
Rohtang Pass: Rohtang Pass, 51 kms from Manali. Located
at a height of 3980 m, the Pass once served as a crucial
trade route, and still remains the gateway to the districts
of Lahaul and Spiti.The Pass is open from June to November
each year, and provides wonderful views of the entire
surroundings. Just beyond the Pass is the Sonapani Glacier
and the twin peak of Gaypan. The Beas Kund, the source
of the Beas river, a holy site for Hindus, as the sage
Vyas is said to have meditated at this spot, is also
accessible from the Rohtang Pass.
