Manali - The Perfect Hill Retreat

By Author: Nagma Biswas
Total Articles: 26
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A picture perfect town nestling in the Himalayas, Manali is pretty with mountains, greens, snows and unending tranquility. A haven for tourists, honeymooners and nature trekkers, Manali was a rather obscure town a few years back. It was mostly overshadowed by the more brilliant Kashmir and most tourists ignored its beauty. However, ever since Manali was rediscovered, it has always grown in popularity. Manali even serves as a perfect base to launch a tour to neighboring places like Ladakh, Spiti and Lahaul.

Manali has always remained a known town in the Himalayas. According to legends, Manali was the spot where Manu landed from his boat after the earth destroying floods were over. Most popular beliefs even attribute the name of the town to Manu. In fact the only temple in the country to be dedicated to this mythological lawgiver is also located in Manali. Known as Manu Temple, it idolizes the sage as the preserver of the Vedas. Apart from the Manu legends, Manali is known for many other temples that are present in the region. The Hadimba Temple is the best known of them here. Imbibing the features of a temple as well ...
... as a pagoda, the temple is a marvel in itself. It has a wooden exterior and is decorated with deer antlers. It is dedicated to Hadimba Devi, a demoness who turned godly and eventually became a goddess after getting married to one of the Pandavas. Animal sacrifices are made in this temple to appease the goddess.

With a boost in tourism, the small and sleepy town of Manali got a new impetus and started growing. The older part, however, chose to remain unchanged and is still much the same as ever. It has very well retained its old charm and has hence become a major attraction for tourists to the town. Popular known as Old Manali, the area is pretty with stilted houses with wooden balconies and sandstone roofs. The finest of Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries are also located around the area. A good number of old-style cafes and guest houses are also located in Old Manali.

Vashisht, a small village near Manali is highly frequented by tourists and locals alike. The village is noted for its many springs and fabulous temples. The springs are mostly hot springs with medicinal properties. Most devotees come here to take a dip in these waters as they are considered holy. Beside the streams there are shrines dedicated to Lord Ram and his mentor Vashisht. The village earns its name from him.

The hilly terrain of Manali makes it a heaven for all adventure lovers. The hills here give ample scope for trekking, mountain biking and skiing. Dense forests and interesting trails make for good trekking routes. Completely snowed during winters, Manali gets some of the finest places for skiing too. The terrain is ever attractive to mountain bikers who would find the hilly slopes and steep heights exciting. The rivers here offer good water rafting opportunities too. Look forward to an exciting and thumping holiday if you plan a trip to Manali.

Nagma Biswas is an author writing about travel and tourism in India and abroad. To book Hotels in Manali visit Sarovar hotels.