Of enchanting mountain ranges and lush greenery, mystical clouds, and abundance of deodar tree Welcome to Manali, Gods Own Valley.
Manali is a charming little hill station that can bewitch your senses with its picturesque natural setting. Flanked by the snow-capped Himachal hills and overlooking the mesmerizing valley of River Beas, Manali is the perfect place for nature lovers. While adventure seekers flock this hippie town for paragliding, rafting, river crossing, and trekking, devotees from different parts of the country visit Manali to quench their devoutness. Thats not all; Manali also has many romantic spots like the Rahala Falls that attract thousands of honeymooners and young couples every year. Experience the Manali sightseeing places in 2024, where snow-capped peaks, serene valleys, and enchanting landscapes await, offering an unforgettable adventure amidst nature's grandeur.
This eternal charm is what keeps people magnetized to this hilly hamlet. No tourist has ever returned disappointed from this alluring town. If you are planning to take a trip to Manali, then the following 20 sightseeing spots must be in your Manali holiday package to experience this hill station at its best.
Hidimba, who was born to the rakshas clan and married to the powerful Bhima, performed meditation in a cave in the foothills of Himalaya. This place, later on, gained religious importance and became famous as the Hidimba Devi Temple. Standing amidst a thick cedar forest, this temple is a treat to the visual senses. This temple should be included in your itinerary while you make your trip to Manali.
Situated en route Rohtang, Solang Valley is just 14 km away from the main town. Tour guides of Manali say that this is one of the best places to visit in here. One can enjoy a number of adventure sports like paragliding, parachuting, horse riding, skiing, zorbing and many more. With so many thrilling activities on the card, Solang is a must-visit place while in Manali.
A sacred place of worship for the Sikhs, Manikaran Gurudwara is one of the most popular places to visit in Manali. Because of the high religious sentiments threaded to this place, it is abuzz with devotees all year round. The miraculous origin of the hot water spring fascinates many travellers who visit this place to pay homage to Guru Nanak Devji. Do visit this Gurudwara on your trip to Manali and get showered with blessings of the Sikh Guru.
A three km long trek from the Vashisht temple would bring you to this enticing waterfall that would definitely awaken your senses. The trek itself offers amazing views of the Beas River and snow-clad hills of Rohtang. Once you reach this waterfall, you will be amazed by the beauty that nature beholds in its lap. It is an ideal location for all the photography buffs, so dont forget to take your cameras along to capture nature at its best on your trip to Jogini Waterfalls.
A perfect location for day outings, Van Vihar National Park is situated on the Mall Road in Manali. Lined with deodar trees on all sides, this park is an ideal spot to spend some quality time away from the hustle bustle of the main town. The small pond, right at the center of the park also offers boating options that would let you enjoy the cool water breeze even in the peak of summer.
The surrealism that pervades through the Hampta pass can only be witnessed once you visit this place. A trek that offers bewitching views of nature with the panoramic view of Lahaul valley acts like a food for the soul. The serenity and tranquility that can be felt here is incomparable to any other pass. Elevated at a height of 4270 mt, this trek takes around four days to complete.
Popular as the 'Pool of the God', Bhrigu Lake is situated at a height of 4240 mt above the sea level. The mesmerizing view of the sparkling waters of this lake with snow-capped mountains on all the sides will definitely delight your eyes. If local rumors are to be believed then Rishi Bhrigu meditated on this very site. This history makes it a very famous Manali tourist place among Hindu devotees.
Located around 15 km from Manali, Rahala Falls is one of the popular weekend getaways from Manali. It is surrounded by dense deodar trees that give a very picturesque look to this amazing waterfall. The snow-clad Himalayan Mountains can also be spotted in the background giving a more attractive look to the entire picture book setting. Visit Rahala Falls to enjoy this scenic view, and spend some unforgettable time in the lap of nature.
Located at a height of 2056 mt above the sea level, the Raghunath Temple is carved in commendable Pahari and Pyramidal architectural style. It was constructed in the 17th century by Raja Jagat Singh who brought the main idol from Ayodhya to give a touch of devoutness to this area. The unmatched beauty of the Kullu valley lures every traveller who visits this temple. A visit to this temple is a must to experience spirituality fused in amazing natural setting.
Another iconic spot that lies en route Rohtang Pass is Gulaba. This place borrowed its name from the leader of an excursion to China, Raja Gulab Singh. It is the perfect spot to click some amazing pictures with your loved ones to keep them forever alive in your memory. If you are visiting Manali in winters and want to enjoy some snow activities like skiing, then head on to Gulaba.
Located around 20 km away from Manali, Gauri Shankar Temple is yet another sacred site in the Manali itinerary. It is an excellent example of Shikara style architecture with a dome overhead a square nine-storeyed base. The main idols of Shiva and Parvati are artistically carved out of stone and are seated atop Nandis back. Overlooking the Beas River, this temple is surrounded by lush greenery that gives it a very picturesque setting. You can visit this temple anytime between 8 am to 7 pm to get the blessings of Lord Shiva.
The historical connection of Jamula temple is noteworthy. Its construction dates to the ancient times when Rishi Jamula visited this place. People believe that he was one of the descendants of Alexander's army. It is located in the Malana Village in the Parvati Valley. An uphill trek leads you to this temple. It is surrounded by lush greenery which fills this place with a very soothing ambience. Do visit this temple when you plan your trip in Manali to experience sheer beauty of nature blended with a touch of religious aura.
The spring of this Nehru Kund is said originate from the waters of Bhrigu Lake. Named after the first PM of India, Pt, Jawahar Lal Nehru, this Kund is said to be the place from where Nehru drank water while on his stay. The scintillating waters of this kund flanked by mountains and valleys give this location a very enticing look. If you are travelling to Manali, then make sure to take some time out and have a look at the breathtaking view of Nehru kund.
Located in the Naggar district of Himachal Pradesh, Zana or Jana Falls are about 32 km from Manali. These falls display the true essence of natures beauty with captivating waterfalls and picturesque view of snow-capped mountains in the background. The water originates from a cluster of rocks and falls right behind an old wooden bridge. If you want to spend some quality time with your loved ones, then Zana Falls is a must-visit place near Manali.
Rishi Vyas took his holy bath in this kund daily; this is enough to explain the sanctity of this kund. The originating point of River Beas, Beas Kund is flocked by devotees all around the year for its religious importance. The alluring greenery that paints the entire area in its color will cast a spell on you. Apart from that, the Beas Kund Trek is one of the most popular things to do in Manali. People from different parts of the country undertake this trek to feed their hunger for adventure.
Placed atop a small mountain, Naggar Castle is one of the most historic sites in Kullu, Himachal. Built by Raja Sidh Singh in the year 1460, this castle now serves as a splendid heritage hotel run by HPDTC. This castle is situated in the most terrific natural landscape and offers a beautiful view of the Kullu valley. It houses a painting gallery that also displays the works of Russian artist Nicholas Roerich.
Manali diary is never complete without a few pages scribbled in the praise of Rohtang Pass. One of the top tourist spot to visit in Manali, this pass is around 53 km north of this place. Offering breathtaking views of glaciers, snow-laden peaks of the Pir Panjal range and the mesmerizing Lahaul valley, Rohtang is a must visit sightseeing location for all the tourists. Due to excess snow, this pass remains closed for half the year from November to March.
Dams are always clustered with tourists for their scenic beauty. Pandoh Dam, located in the Mandi District of Himachal, is a splendid structure on the Beas River. The setting of this dam amidst green hills gives it a very pleasant natural look. This dam was constructed in 1977 to generate electricity and gradually gained popularity as a favored tourist spot. Take a halt at this dam to click some amazing pictures amid the beautiful nature.
The famous Russian artist Nicholas Roerich made Kullu valley his home and created some fantastic masterpieces. His daughter-in-law, Devika Rani, later transformed the place where he stayed into this art center. A trip to this museum would entertain you with the costumes and wood deities of the rich Himachali culture. You can also see the Nicholas art gallery which has the work of Nicholas displayed for tourists.
Located in Old Manali, around 3 km from the main market is the temple of Rishi Manu, after whom Manali is named. It is situated on the banks of River Beas and the offers an alluring view of the hills in the backdrop. The waterfall that is right in front of this temple adds to its natural charm. A visit to manu temple and you can actually see clouds float inside the premises. Dont miss out on all this and do visit this temple.
Every tourist hill station has its own appeal, but nothing beats the charm of this picturesque town flanked by mountains and dense forest. The perfect weekend getaway for all the people residing in the Northern part of the country, Manali welcomes everyone with open arms.