One of my best travel experiences in Himachal till date - Manali ....My trip to Manali was one of the triggers to start travelling extensively in the Northern part of India , especially Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakand ...
It was December 22nd 2008. I was damn tired and fast asleep in the bus that i boarded from Delhi the previous night after a long day at work . Opened my eyes to see the bus driving through a winding path up the mountain and snow on both sides.It is a sight that is still so fresh in my head.....This was the first time i saw snow for real !
Quick one for the trivia lovers - The name Manali is regarded as the derivative of 'Manu-Alaya' which literally means 'the abode of Manu' , the first man as per Hindu mythology.
Best time to visit Manali is from June to October which is the tourist season with good weather. But my favourite is the winter season. Nothing like seeing the mountains in their full glory in the peak of winter .
You can either go to Solang Valley or Rotang pass or both depending on when you plan to travel. Rotang Pass remains closed from November till about May due to heavy snowfall. So all you trekkers will have to plan it some time in early June -July to experience Rotang. Also keep in mind that there is a permit required to travel up and beyond Rotang Pass.
It was December 22nd 2008. I was damn tired and fast asleep in the bus that i boarded from Delhi the previous night after a long day at work . Opened my eyes to see the bus driving through a winding path up the mountain and snow on both sides.It is a sight that is still so fresh in my head.....This was the first time i saw snow for real !
Quick one for the trivia lovers - The name Manali is regarded as the derivative of 'Manu-Alaya' which literally means 'the abode of Manu' , the first man as per Hindu mythology.
Best time to visit Manali is from June to October which is the tourist season with good weather. But my favourite is the winter season. Nothing like seeing the mountains in their full glory in the peak of winter .
You can either go to Solang Valley or Rotang pass or both depending on when you plan to travel. Rotang Pass remains closed from November till about May due to heavy snowfall. So all you trekkers will have to plan it some time in early June -July to experience Rotang. Also keep in mind that there is a permit required to travel up and beyond Rotang Pass.
Solang Valley
Solang valley on the other hand is accessible during December as well.
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| Solang Valley |
Hadimba Temple
Usually i'm not much of a temple hopper while travelling. But Hadimba temple really intrigued me mainly for being a shrine built for a demoness. Now, that's not something you find everyday....
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| Hadimba Temple |
I was told these were offered as sacrifice to the demoness and then put on the wall of the temple.
Sure did give a very eerie feeling to the whole place !.....
The temple was thronged by tourists, so i decided to move away from the crowd and walked towards the forest !
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| Heads deers and antelopes offered as sacrifice |
By the banks of Beas ...
The river Beas flows through Manali . For the rafting enthusiasts,there is a white water rafting stretch along the river.
Not a huge fan of rafting hence i settled on the rocks by the side of the river with my camera and chai. Awesome combination when the temperature is 10 degree centigrade and the view is so beautiful that you don't want to go indoors.
Listen to the gurgling water flowing through the rocks.... It is a meditation in itself.
And the water is super ice cold as it is flowing down from the snow capped mountains.
Do dip your legs in the river to experience the numbing cold water !
Food glorious food ...
Being a vegetarian , one thing i lose out pretty much in most places is the food....
Food in Manali was awesome. Nothing very exotic , but the freshness and simplicity made it one of the best food I have had during my travels in the Himachal . My food throughout my stay was pretty much roti - subji and dal chawal in the small hotels in Old Manali.
With a mixed bag of experiences and feelings, thus ended my first encounter with snow. As I boarded the bus to head back home, felt pretty overwhelmed while looking through the photos in my camera. With a very peaceful mind I closed my eyes and re-lived the experience as the bus started towards home....
Manali is a must do for everyone . So go on, plan your next trip to the abode of Manu and have a blast !
The river Beas flows through Manali . For the rafting enthusiasts,there is a white water rafting stretch along the river.
Not a huge fan of rafting hence i settled on the rocks by the side of the river with my camera and chai. Awesome combination when the temperature is 10 degree centigrade and the view is so beautiful that you don't want to go indoors.
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| Super ice cold water ! |
And the water is super ice cold as it is flowing down from the snow capped mountains.
Do dip your legs in the river to experience the numbing cold water !
Food glorious food ...
Being a vegetarian , one thing i lose out pretty much in most places is the food....
Food in Manali was awesome. Nothing very exotic , but the freshness and simplicity made it one of the best food I have had during my travels in the Himachal . My food throughout my stay was pretty much roti - subji and dal chawal in the small hotels in Old Manali.
With a mixed bag of experiences and feelings, thus ended my first encounter with snow. As I boarded the bus to head back home, felt pretty overwhelmed while looking through the photos in my camera. With a very peaceful mind I closed my eyes and re-lived the experience as the bus started towards home....
Manali is a must do for everyone . So go on, plan your next trip to the abode of Manu and have a blast !
