Tuesday 8 December 2015

Manali - A Small Town In Himachal Pradesh Blessed With The Beauty Of Nature

Manali, a beautiful town situated at an altitude of about 1950 meters above the sea level, is one of the premier tourist destinations in India. It is basically a hill station popular for its unmatched and unspoiled natural beauty, and also for the fresh apples, plums, and other hill-grown fruits. It is a small part of Himachal Pradesh and about 250 k.m. away from Shimla, the capital of the state. Manali pincode is 175131.




Often referred as the "Valley of Gods", the town is a religious place. The name "Manali" is the distorted version of "Manu-Alaya" which means the "abode of Manu". Manu is believed to be a famed sage who was also the Hindu lawgiver. There is a popular belief that when a great flood deluged the entire world, the sage stepped off his boat in Manali and recreated human life. There is an old temple dedicated to the sage in the Old Manali village. The locals ardently follow him and often worship him in the temple. However, more than the religion, the town is better known for its natural beauty.

The original inhabitants of the region were the nomadic hunters who are called "rakshas". Later the regions were taken-up by the shepherds of Kangra Valley, who sparsely populated the regions and covered most of the regions with farms. Amongst them also include the Naur or Nar, who were popular for their vast lands and for a strong line of generations. However only a few Nar families exist today. Farming of apples and breeding trouts was introduced to the town by the British. During their colonial era they set up the first apple orchard in the place called Patlikuhl. There is a popular belief that the first apple trees were so plentiful of fruits that the the branches, due to the heavy weight often collapsed. Even today, the plantation of apple, plum, and other hilly fruits are the main source of income for the locals.

The good thing is that the town remains ideal for a tour yearlong. Winters are quite cold and receive snowfall. Whereas, summers are moderately cold making the ideal situation for some outdoor actions. Simply visit the tranquil little town and pick from the long Manali hotels list.
Apart from agriculture, tourism is the second major source of income. The majestic surroundings of the town and the pleasant weather didn't take long to bring the town into prominence.

The town is perfect for photography and nature walk. The high latitude areas give the best views of the Solang Valley, Pandoh Dam, Bhrigu Lake, and the regions around. Trekking in summer is a popular activity amongst the tourists. Besides, a safari deep into the Great Himalayan National Park, Manali Sanctuary, and Pin Valley National Park gives the opportunities to see and experience the rich flora and fauna up-close. The town also receives snowfall during winters, which make it a popular haunt amongst the snow lovers and honeymooners. Amongst the popular tourist attractions of the town include: Rohtang Pass, Pandoh Dam, Bijli Mahadev Temple, Solang Valley, Bhrigu Lake, Hidimba Devi Temple, Manali Sanctuary, and Great Himalayan National Park.

Lodging in Manali comes in wide budget range. Starting from the lavish luxurious hotels to the budget hotels in Manali and cheap lodges there is a whole lot of options to choose from. 

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