Himachal Pradesh, Kullu -Manali

Himachal Pradesh is any traveler’s paradise! The lofty snow peaks, lush green valleys, fresh water rivers, mountain lakes, flowering meadows, fruit orchards, ancient temples and monasteries offer relaxation, sight-seeing, trekking, mountaineering, fishing, para-gliding, ice skating and many other activities to all kinds of travelers be it adventure seekers, honeymooners or nature lovers.
Kullu Valley, known as the valley of Gods, is as ancient as our scriptures as we find reference to “Kulantapitha” in Mahabharat and Ramayan. Kulantapitha means the furthest limit to human habitation! Kullu runs along on both sides of river Beas and offers variegated fascinating mountain scenery of pink blossoms, white flowers, gorgeous rhododendrons, green forests, pines, cedars and snow varying with spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
Further up along the Beas River, is the town of Manali. Manali is a high-altitude Himalayan resort town in northern Himachal Pradesh. It is a famous backpacking and honeymooning destination. Besides, Manali is also a gateway for skiing in the Solang Valley and trekking in Parvati Valley. It is also known for paragliding, rafting and mountaineering in the Pir Panjal Mountains, which is home to Rohtang Pass. Places of tourist interest in Manali are as under.
Vashisht village is 6 km from Manali opposite Old Manali. It is an ancient town almost 4000 years old. Rishi Vashisht was said to meditate here. The Vashishth Temple is also as ancient as the town and is made of intricate wood carvings. Near the temple are the hot sulphur springs that are believed to have medicinal properties. According to legend, When Lakshman saw Rishi Vashisht had to go for long walk to the Beas River to take baths he shot arrows into the ground and hot water began to gush out. There is also a Rama Temple nearby. Vashishth Village is an important village for pilgrimage.
Hidimba Devi Temple is an ancient cave temple built in 1553 by Raja Bahadur Singh. It is near Old Manali. The temple is dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, sister of Hidimba and wife of Bhima. Hidimba devi is supposed to have a son from Bhima and when the Pandavas left, Hidimba spent her time meditating in these hills. Because of its architectural and historical importance the temple is protected as a monument of national importance.

Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art is a stone’s throw from Hidimba Devi Temple at Manali. It is located 2-3 km from Manali main town. The Museum was established in 1998 to collect and exhibit cultural and folk art antiques articles of Himachal Pradesh.

Kothi is a quiet and picturesque spot 12 km from Manali.

Rohtang Pass is at an altitude of 4,112 metres and offers fantastic views of snow peaks, huge glaciers, deep ravines and a range of precipitous cliffs. These are snow peaked mountains and the air is icy! But it is breathtakingly beautiful!

Apple Orchards: The Beas river Valley from Manali to Solang has the best apple orchard in Manali and the narrow mountain roads from Old Manali to Solang Valley passes through apple orchards and is easily one of the best hiking road in Manali.

Keylong is a small village with brown hills and snow capped peaks and it is the headquarters of Spiti and Lahaul district. Karding Monastery and Shashur Monastery are located here.

Triloknath and Udeypur are two important places of pilgrimage in Pattan Valley, namely, the Bodhisattava Temple at Triloknath and the Marikula Temple at Udeypur.