MANALI Indian Tourism Temples

TIBETAN OF MANU MAHARAJ

The temple is located in Manali village 1.5 km. from the town. The idol was found buried in the court yard of the house of a person named Guari of Dhauni Chauni lineage and the present temple has been built on the said spot. The temple has been given a face lift with the grant sanctioned by the government, without disturbing the original temple. A jeepable road has been built upto the village. On 6th day of Phalgun, the famous Phalgi fair is held here in honour of Manu Maharaj. Phalgi marks the beginning of spree of fairs in the valley. The temple of Manu Maharaj are rare in India. He wrote Manu smriti and gave the idea of ideal rule and social code of conduct to the world.

VASHISTH AND ITS HOT WATER SPRINGS

There are two roads leading to the village Vashisth. One is 6 km. from Manali following which the small vehicle can reach the village. The other is 4 km. from Manali, but its last part is to be traversed on foot. This village is famous for its hot water springs. The hot water comes out there underneath the rocks. The water is hot due to the presence of sulpher, calcium and salica and the sulpher can easily be smelt from the rising steam. The temperature of the water is 123° F at the month of the spring but in the tank it is 111° F. These springs are very sacred. A legend goes that Laxmana who visited this Ashrama of Vashishtha, found that his Guru had to go far off for his bath. He shot an arrow at this place and the water came oozing out. The tourist department has made Turkish baths about 500 metres far from the village. The hot water has been carried through insulated pipes. One has to pay charges for use of these baths. The hot water is good for treatment of skin diseases.


VASHISHTHA RISHI TEMPLE

On the right side of the springs, there is a temple of Guru Vashishtha. It is 4000 years old and was built by the king janamjaya. Inside the temple, there is a black stone statue of the Rishi, clad in Dhoti. The temple has been built at the place where Lakshman and prohit rested who had come here in search of Vashishtha Rishi.



RAMA TEMPLE

On the left side of the spring, there is Rama temple in which the idols of Rama, Sita and Laxmana have been installed. Dussehra is held here for seven days. The village was the centre of vaishnava cult for a long time. As such the people who make a pilgrimage to the village, do not forget to visit the temple after the holy bath.
SOLANG VALLEY AND ITS SLOPES

Solang Slopes are about 13 km. from Manali and 4 km. from Palchan. The height of these slopes is about 2480 metres (8000 ft.). They came to limelight when International and National Ski Competitions were held here. These are considered one of the best slopes in the world for skiing. With the help of Norway Ski Association, the H.P.Mountaineering Directorate has been working to improve the slopes. A lift is being provided to make the slopes easy approachable. The Mountaineering Institute Manali and some other local private agencies impart training in skiing here. Horse riding and a joy ride on a snow scooter are also very popular here.

The Solang Valley serves as the base camp for trekkers and mountaineers. In summer, these slopes are the centre of attraction of the film companies which come here for out-door shooting of their films as the place has picturesque surroundings. It is also far from the madding crowd. The scenes of many films have been shot here.


HIM SHIVA LINGA

The valley is a land of wonders too. By the side of the rivulet, at the foot hill about 2 km. ahead of the building of the Mountaineering Institute a natural “Shiva Linga” of ice is formed in winter. Its height is generally 15 to 26 feet. The water falling from the hill above, takes the shape of “Him Linga”, like that of Amarnath Cave in Kashmir. On the left and right sides of the “Shiva Linga”, some “Nags” are formed. The devotees go here for “Darshan”. This HimLinga can be seen here from mid – November to mid-April. The height of the HimLinga varies from year to year according to the snow fall.

Mr. Culvert, an English man who visited the valley in 1875 A.D. mentioned about a Deodar tree at Solang that had a girth of 18 ft. and was 150 ft. tall.




KOTHI VILLAGE

Kothi is the last village of Manali valley on way to Rohtang. It over looks the area from Burua to Khakhnal. Kothi is 15 km. from Manali. It commands an excellent view. There is a ravine 400 feet deep and two km. long which one has to cross to enter the village. The village was reduced to cinder in a devastating fire in 1986. So now most of the buildings of the village are new. Here there are shops from which snow boots, sledges and skiing material can be hired. Tea stalls and fast food shops are also there. The height of the village is 3230 metres.


GULABA MOUR

Here one can see natural flower beds, as this place is a meadow down below the perennial snow covered peaks. Here the spring flowers peep out indifferent hues. This is a very good picnic spot. Here the road moves in a zigzag manner like a snake. It is 20 Km. from Manali.


RAHLA FALL

Rahala is 27 km. from Manali. Here is a beautiful water fall, where the river Beas turtles down from a height of 50 metres. It is a charming spot for picnic also. When the journey to Lahaul was on foot, It was the halting station of the travelers. Rahala actually means a halting station.


MARHI

At Marhi, the steep climb ends on way to Rohtang. The pass is very near now. Marhi is 6 km. from Kothi and 35 km. from Manali. Here travelers take rest and refresh themselves. The tea stalls and restaurants are run here in small huts. The height of the place is 3354 metres. The place gives a very panoramic view of the whole Manali valley.

ROHTANG

Rohtang, in Tibetan Language, means a house of corpses. Perhaps this name has been given to the pass due to the Chains of accidental deaths occurred here from time to time. Here the weather is unpredictable and fast wind blows in the after noon. The snow also falls here at a very fast speed. So the people prefer to cross the bhrigu Tung and its height is 4934 metres. It is 51 km. from Manali. The crest of the pass presents magnificent view all around. On Kullu side the valley is lush green, whereas on the other side, the Lahul valley is arid and devoid of vegetation. Recently, the temple of Beas Rishi has been constructed over the Beas Kund from where the Beas river begins. This pass officially closes on 15th November and opens on 1st June every year. It is the gate way to Leh, Pangi and Kishtwar too. However to make Lahul approachable in all weathers 8.84 Km long tunnel is being built under Rohtang with an Estimate cost of Rs. 13000 crores. The tunnel will start from Solang valley and reduce 46 Km distance in between Manali and Lahul valley. The project is to be completed with in 5 years.