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DESTINATION
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About Manali
Manali literally means the 'Home of Manu'. Manu is the mythological character who is supposed to have survived when the world was drowned in Flood. He then came to Manali and recreated human life. Thus, the area of Manali is sacred and Hindus treat the temples over here as pilgrimage.Manali, at 1,926 meters above Sea level on the northern edge of the Kullu valley, is the most popular tourist resort in this area. Situated along the Beas River with a superb view of the perennial snow cover of the Solang Nala.Manali is the focal point for treks and mountaineering expeditions It is also the beginning of the epic two-day trans-Himalayan journey up to the cold desert town of Leh in Ladakh, connected by the Leh-Manali highway.
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Weather 
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TEMPERATURE Of Manali Approx.
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SEASON
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MIN
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MAX
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CLOTHING
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Summer ( May to June)
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12 Degree Celsius
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28 Degree
Celsius
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Warm
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Cotton
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Rainy ( June to Sep)
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11 Degree Celsius
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24 Degree
Celsius
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Monsoon
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Cotton, Light Woolen & Sneakers, Umbrella, Raincoat, Rubber Boots
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Autumn ( Oct to Nov )
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07 Degree
Celsius
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18 Degree Celsius
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Cold
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Heavy Woolen
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Winter ( Dec to Feb )
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- 04 Degree Celsius (Minus)
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07 Degree
Celsius
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Snow
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Heavy Woolen Cloths, Ski Cap
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Spring ( Mar to April )
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07 Degree Celsius
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18 Degree Celsius
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Cold
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Woolen, Heavy Jackets
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Sight Seeing around Manali
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Manu Temple
To get a more authentic flavor of the area, take a 20 min walk from the Mall across the Manalsu nala to reach the village of old Manali. According to popular belief it is here that Manu, the lawmaker lived around the 2nd century BC. His treatise, the 'Manusmriti ' is the foundations of Hindu law and of the rigid caste system based on varna or profession. Considered one of the most orthodox Hindu texts with strict role definitions based on gender and class, the Manusmriti continues to be followed by many devout Hindus even today. In the centre of the village is the Manu Maharishi temple, a relatively new shrine dedicated to Manu. The village itself is an idyllic break from the rush of main Manali, surrounded by terraced maize fields and apple orchards. There are several guesthouses and cafes lining the path to the village.
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Hadimba Temple
It is at Dunghri village, 10 min walk from Johnson Lodge in Manali, is the famous Hadimba Devi Temple. Maharaja Bahadur Singh built the present wooden pagoda-like temple in 1553 after earlier structures were burnt down by forest fires. Standing on a stone platform surrounded by old deodar trees, the three-tiered temple is crowned with pennants, brass bells and a trident. Carvings of animals, plants and folk deities adorn the temple, while hunting trophies hang over its entrance. Inside the shrine is the brass icon of the goddess, surprisingly tiny compared to the huge temple structure and the legendary prowess associated with her. The shrine is within a natural cave formation dominated by huge rock. A set of enlarged footprints on the rocks is believed to be of Hadimba, herself. In mid-July the idol from old Manali is brought to this temple for a major festival. As part of the frenzied celebrations, several animals including a buffalo and a goat are sacrificed to the goddess. The blood falling on the stones is channeled to the mouth of goddess Hadimba.
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Tibetan Monastery
Manali has the largest Tibetan settlement in the valley, standing out by their colorful new gomphas, many prayer wheels and prayer flags fluttering over the houses. The Gadhan Thekchokling Gompa, built in 1969 has a prominent yellow coloured pagoda roof and bright frescoes on the walls. Inside the brightly painted prayer hall is a statue of Shakyamuni (form of Buddha).
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Vashisht
3 kms from Johnson lodge is village of Vashisht, famed for its hot sulphur springs. The village can be approached on foot or by road and offers a panoramic view of the valley. Traditional village houses sitting on the hillside combine with modern brick and concrete structures in this popular retreat. There are two old stone temples with elaborate woodcarvings facing each other in the main square. One is dedicated to Lord Rama (incarnation of Vishnu) and the other to sage Vashisht, who was Lord Rama’s teacher.
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Solang Valley
14-km northwest of Manali in the Solang Valley, this place offers Himachal Pradesh's best ski slopes. A beautiful picnic spot. Nice meadows surrounded by Silver Oaks and spurs, offers views of Glaciers and snow capped mountains. It is International Skiing slope with a small ropeway. You can also enjoy Paragliding and Horse riding.
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Rohtang Pass
A beautiful spring at the Nehru Kund (6 kms), a quiet picnic spot in Kothi (12 kms) and the Rahalla Falls (16 kms) at 2,500 meters are the other places worth visiting are on the way to Rohtang Pass, 51 kms from Manali at 3,980 meters is the gateway to the desert lands of Lahaul-Spiti. The Pass remains open to traffic between June and November.
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