From Delhi
Manali is a chosen land -
chosen, according to Hindu legends, as the spot where Manu's ark came to rest after the
deluge wiped out the rest of the world. Chosen as the happy valley where "Manali
hash" was grown and smoked during the "hippy" days. Chosen again as a hot
holiday destination, as the base camp for treks into the Himalayas and for a dizzying
range of adventure sports.
Fruit orchards, deodar and
pine forests, hot water springs, mineral springs, splendid mountains, caves and temples
surround Manali. The mighty Beas hurtles through the town, carving a deep gorge in its
wake. The river is great for fishing and rafting adventures in summer, but is frozen in
winter.
The Mall or main bazaar is
the hub of activity, flooded with shops, restaurants, trekking and mountaineering outfits
and wayside food stalls. You can set off for long walks in the nearby forests, up pretty,
secluded mountain trails, charming villages and Tibetan settlements.
To get a flavour of ancient
Manali, walk across the Manalsu Nala, to the old village of Manaligarh with its ruined
fort and the Manu Maharishi temple. This is a peaceful place for some quiet rumination.
The Godhan Thekcholing Gompa with its yellow pagoda roof and brilliant frescoes is one of
the many Buddhist temples in Manali. Don't miss the famous Hadimba temple at Dunghri
village, where you can see the enormous footprint of the giant wife of the Pandava hero,
Bhim, embedded in a stone cave.
Manali is an adventure and
mountaineering sports paradise. Fishing, white water rafting, canoeing and kayaking are
organized on the swiftly flowing Beas, between Bhuntar and Larji. The slopes of Solang
Nala, Patalsu, Kothi, Marhi and Rohtang Pass have been vamped for skiing. Para gliding,
heli-skiing and trekking are organized by Himachal Tourism, by the Mountaineering
Institute and by private operators in and around Manali.
Choose Manali today as your
next holiday destination and discover why this is the "chosen land" of Himachal.
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