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Hadimba Temple (1 km)
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.
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Rahalla Falls
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. 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. Rani Nullah, below Rohtang Pass. Height 3700m. Rani
Nullah is shortly before the Rohtang Pass into Lahaul, at
about 55km from Manali. The take-off area itself is not
great as there are sharp stones to snag your lines on, but
even if there is no lift it offers great 'sled-ride' flying,
especially for beginners. There is a vast landing field
at the truckstop at Marhi about 400m below take-off, though
be warned that at over 10,000ft a HUGE flare is needed on
landing - you come in like an express train! If you have
reasonable height above Marhi it is a 10km sled-ride down
to other landing fields at Kothi at the foot of the pass.
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Monasteries
Manali also houses three Tibetan monasteries, that have been
built recently. There are three recently built Tibetan monasteries
at Manali. |
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The Manali Gompa
A new Monastery built in the 1960's it is an important gathering
place for buddhists from Lalaul, Spiti, kinnaur, Ladakh, Nepal
and Tibet.The Gompa is famous for its wall paintings, Chortens
and a large statue of Lord Buddha. |
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Vashisht
(3 kms)
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. |
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Jagatsukh (6 kms)
The one time capital of Kullu. Here are old temples dedicated
to Lord Shiva and to Sandhya Gayatri. The Arjun caves are just
ahead. |
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Solang Valley (14 kms)
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. |
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Kothi, (15 Kms)
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. |
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Naggar
Nagar, a lovely village set on a hill sourrounded by forests,
was the capita of kullu in the 16th century and the monuments
in the region are witness to its glorious past. The Naggar Castle,
a stone and wood structure built by Raja Sidh singh over 500
years ago, has been converted in to a heritage hotel. The gracefully
built castle has a temple in the courtyard and also houses a
small museum.
The temple of the area, such as the grey sandstone Gauri Shankar
Temple of Shiva that lies close to the Castle, the chatar Bhuj
Temple, Tripura Sundri Devi Temple, the Jagti Patt Temple, with
its triangular slab of stone, strewn with rose petals and rupee
notes and the Murlidhar Temple, are worth a visit. The paintings
and Photographs of the late Nicholas Roerich are exhibited in
the Nicholas Roerich Gallery. He was an artist, Writer, Photographer,
Archelogist, Explorer and mystic. Inside the Museum, one can
see the beds, librery, settees, writing tables, toiletries,
and samovars of the Roerich family.
The Urswati Himalyan Folk Museum near by is another place to
visit. while in the area, a trip to Gardhak Chuli is recommended
for the spectacular view it provides of the valley on one side
and the imposing, snow clad peaks on the other.This upper Beas
region is surrounded by glaciers on three sides. The Chandekhani
Pass at 12200 feet leads to the legendary Malana Valley and
is easily accessible from here. |
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Manu Temple (2 kms)
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. |
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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. |
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