Hadimbha Devi Temple-: this temple is also known as the Dungri temple. It is related to the epic of Mahabharata- according to the legend; Bhim slew the Demon Hadimb, and married his sister Hadimbha here. The natural cave temple belived to enshrine the footprint of Hadimbha Devi, and she is the main deity in the valley. Superbly crafted as a four tiered pagoda style structure, it has exquisitely carved doors and was built in 1533, around the small natural cave by the rulers of Kullu.
Old Manali Village -: Old Manali bears an outlook of cross cultural fusion. It is approximately 2 km away from Manali town. This is virtually unspoiled Himalayan village which makes visitors wonder with surprise. The place is famous for traditional houses with a temple dedicated to Manu Rishi. This place has developed its identity into multi cultural hub entertaining both domestic & western tourists with finest of ethnic products. It is one of the best places to hang out in the evening. It has a great collection of restaurants/bars and shops. During peak of tourist season ethnicity and tourism untie together to offer cultural extravaganza over here. Plenty of Israeli, German, Italian dishes and music which range from techno to soothing instrumentals play here amidst sweet incense of mediation fragrance sticks. The little market gets a frivolous look with the arrival of tourists specially westerners. Crystal bargains, embroidery over the T-shirts with SHIVA SHAKTI, Lord Ganesha prints convey a sense of belonging towards Indian mythology. The old Manali has few options for BULLET, over here. With growing number of guest houses old Manali has plenty of staying options at reasonable price.
Manu Rishi Temple-: 3 kms away from Manali near the old Manali village is this temple , dedicated to sage Manu, Legend has it that sage Manu stepped off his ark in Manali to recreate human life after a great flood had deluged the world.
Vashisit Village-: 03 kms, from Manali, famous for its natural hot sulphur water springs. The Vashisit village famous for its hot sulphur springs, temples for Vashisit Rishi and Lord Rama. The hot sulphur springs are endowed with great healing powers and are considered good for skin disease and joint pains. The natural hot sulphur springs have two separate bathing tanks one for men and one for women. The hot and cold water is separately piped, maintaining the regular temperature for bathing.
Solang Valley-: Solang valley is the picturesque valley approximately 14kms. from Manali. It offers the view of glaciers and snow capped mountain peaks. Mountains of the Solang valley are famous for its ski, and people from the whole world come here during winters for ski. It is also a famous place for outdoor activities in Manali including the activities like paragliding, dirt bike, pony rides, snow scooters, cable cars etc.
Rohtang Pass-: 51 kms, from Manali, gateway to Ladakh, lahaul and Spiti valley. The Sonapati Glacier and the peaks of Himalayas are quite closer from here. Towards the Rohtang pass you pass by some fascinating places including Kothi, Rahalla falls and Marhi. Rohtang Pass is open only from end of May to September and is the best place to experience snow even in the summers. On a clear day one can have the panoramic and magnificent views of the Himalayas from here. Rohtang Pass is the first pass to be crossed by the travellers on the 475 kms. long Manali – Leh Highway in Greater Himalayas.
Click here to read more about the Manali Leh Highway.>>>
Kothi -: on the way to Rohtang pass Kothi is a beautiful and photographic village from where tourists can capture different thrilling views of the deep gorge through which the Beas swiftly runs. This is an amazing place to experience the natural beauty of high altitude mountains and the beautiful Rahalla falls.
Naggar: Naggar is a peaceful village situated along the hills on the east bank (known locally as the Left Bank ) of the Beas River. The beautiful Naggar Castle (now a Himachal Tourism hotel and restaurant) is the legacy of its status as the old capital of the former Kullu Kingdom about 500 years ago. This Castle commands an incredible view of the river far below and the opposite Beas river bank, with the distant snow capped Himalayan Mountain peaks. At the edge of the village lies the Roerich gallery displaying oil paintings and the 1930’s Dodge car of the famous Russian artist Nikolai Roerich who lived in Naggar for many years. In the trekking season, Naggar serves as a starting point for the trek to the village of Malana via the Chandrakhani Pass.
The Naggar Castle, Roerich House and the Art gallery are places to see. Moonlight dinner on the balcony of Hotel Castle restaurant is worth experiencing, with the lovely sight of twinkling lights of the village houses below in the valley. Bijli Mahadev temple, about 20 kms from Naggar, is also worth visiting.
Bijli Mahadev Temple-: at a height of 2,460 metres, 14 kms from Kullu, and 20 kms from Naggar, is a sacred temple dedicated to lord Shiva. Above Kullu from Chansari village it is a trek of three (03) kilometres. The temple is famous for its Stone Shiva – Lingam which shatters, each time the lighting strikes it. The 60 feet high staff of Bijli Mahadev temple glistens like a silver needle in the Sun.
In this temple of lightning it is said that the tall staff attracts the divine blessings in the form of lightning. The priest of the temple restore the Shiva Lingam by joining the shattered pieces together by using butter and sattoo ( barley floor) as an adhesive. The prospect from Bijli Mahadev is enthralling with a panoramic view of the Kullu and Parbati valleys.
Manikaran-: at a height of 1,760 metres and is located about 45 km from Kullu. Manikaran is a pilgrimage centre for Hindus and Sikh and is famous for its hot springs. The legend of Manikaran (Mani means Gem and Karan means Ear) states that while roaming around here, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, enamored by the beauty of this place, they decided to spend some time here and it is believed that they actually spent eleven hundred years ( 1,100 years) over here. During their stay , Goddess Parvati lost her Mani (precious gem stones of her ears) in the waters of a stream here. Upset over the loss, she asked Lord Shiva to retrieve it. Lord Shiva commanded his attendant to find out the Mani for Parvati, however, when they failed, Lord Shiva was extremely angry. He opened his third eye, a tremendously inauspicious event which led to disturbances in the universe. An appeal was made before the serpent god, Sheshnag, to pacify Lord Shiva Sheshnag hissed thereby giving rise to a flow of boiling water. The water spread over the entire area resulting in the emergence of precious gem stones (Mani) of the type Goddess Parvati had lost. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were happy at the outcome, and found their lost Mani (precious gem). The name Manikaran is derived from this legend.
The water is still hot and is considered extremely auspicious. It is also believed that there is no need to pay a visit to Kashi (Varanasi / Banaras) after visiting this place. The water of the spring is also supposed to have curative powers. The water is so hot that rice can be cooked in it and you can see it practically over there.
According to Sikhs belief, Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited this place in 1574 with his disciples. Sri Guru Nanak sent his good Friend Bhai Mardana to collect food for langar (the Community Kitchen). Many people donated atta (wheat flour) to make Roti (bread). The one problem was that there was no fire to cook the food. Guru Nanak Asked Mardana to lift a stone and Bhai Mardana then lifted a rock and a hot spring (hot water) appeared. As directed by Guru Nanak Dev ji, Mardana put the rolled chapattis (Indian breads) in the spring to his despair the chapattis sank. Guru Nanak then told him to pray to god saying that if his chapattis float back then he would donate one chapatti in the name of God. When he prayed, all the baked chapattis started floating back to him. Guru Nanak Dev Ji said that anyone who donates in the name of God, his or her drowned items float back. Later on a Gurudwara (worship place for Sikh religion) was built at the sight.
Shoja-: is a little village at a height 2,692 metres, just 5 kms before the Jalori Pass. It provides panoramic views of the area with snow peaks and valleys of the Central Himalayas with small traditional villages, meadows and forests, rivers and streams. Shoja boasts dense forests of Oak, Pine and Deodar rich in wild life including Beer, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Leopard, Jungle Hog and many Himalayan pheasants including the Koklash and Monal. It is a good place to stay in peacefully environment far away from the hassles of the regular touristic places. The beautiful traditional houses and numerous walks and treks in the surrounding forests are the special feature of the area.
Jalori Pass-: At a height of 3,223 metres, it links Kullu valley to Shimla valley. If you are returning from Kalpa/ Sangla (Kinnaur province) and wants to visit Manali then you can use this way to visit Kullu valley and Manali. The pass has a couple of tea shops where basic meals are available. Jalori Pass provides very good views of the Central Himalayan Ranges with Shimla valley on to one side and Kullu / Tirthan valley on to other side.
Seolsar Lake -: is a 5 km trek (2 hrs one side) from Jalori Pass and it passes through the dense forest of Oak, Blue pine, Spruce, Fir and Deodar trees. At one point you come on to a ridge from where you can see the Inner Seraj valley beyond at one end, and the Outer Seraj at the other. At the banks of the lake there is a old traditional temple of “Boodhi Nagin” (Old Goddess Serpent) who is the mother goddess to all the Snake Gods in the different valleys of Himachal Pradesh. There is a small eating shop just 100 metres before the lake.
