Places to See in Kullu Manali

Kullu, a town in Himachal Pradesh, is well known for its beautiful valleys, Deodar forests, sprawling orchards and the hill station of Manali. Manali is located on the northern part of the Kullu district and has an altitude of 2050 meters above sea level. With scenic locales here appealing honeymoon couples, plenty of opportunities for adventure sports and Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage tours, Kullu Manali is among the top places to see in India and Indian Holiday offers information on why Kullu Manali should be visited.

Places to see in Kullu Manali

• Rohtang Pass, at an elevation of 3979 meters above sea level, is an important destination in the Kullu district that naturally divides Kullu Valley from Lahaul and Spiti. It offers a panoramic view of the surroundings and tourist can also visit the nearby Dassaur Lake. This pass is a 51 km drive from Manali and remains closed from December-April.
• Solang Valley, popularly referred to as the Snow Point is around 13km west of Manali. The ski lift of 300 meters is an important activity here that offers breathtaking views of the Pir Panjal range especially during snowfall.
• Himachal Pradesh is aptly called the Abode of the Gods and Kullu Manali is home to a number of ancient Hindu shrines and Buddhist monasteries. Hidimba Devi Temple in Manali is dedicated to Goddess Hidimba, and Maa Sharvani Temple is dedicated to the kuldevi (ancestral or family deity) of Kullu kings. The Bijli Mahadev Temple at Kullu is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva and is known for its architecture and legendary story. It is said that every two years powerful lightning strikes this temple and breaks the Shiva lingam into pieces but the priests restore the lingam to its original form with butter. Monasteries belonging to the Tibetan schools of Buddhism are also worth a visit. The Manali Gompa is one such monastery that is famous for its wall paintings and Lord Buddha statue.
• You can opt for an excursion to the Vashist Hot Water Springs that is around 3 km drive from Manali. This scenic village across the Beas River has sulphur springs that are popular among tourists from all over the world for their medicinal properties. Visit the old stone temples here as well.

Things to do in Kullu Manali

• You can engage in adventure sports such as skiing, trekking, paragliding during summer and angling
• Camping at Hampta Pass and the Deo Tibba Camp in Manali can be a part of your tour
• Go shopping! Kullu district is home to a number of markets and shopping centers such as the Khara Bazaar well known for shawls and woolen wear. The Tibetan markets have shops selling handicraft items, antiques, Buddhist paintings, silver and Tibetan souvenirs. The area around the Gadan Thekchokling has emporiums and shops for handicrafts, wooden furniture, carpets, rugs and Buddhist paintings. At the markets in Manali lavender oil, dry fruits and Hippi clothes are popular buys for tourists.

When to go Kullu Manali ?
May to October is the peak tourist season in Kullu Manali. The Rohtang Pass also remains open during this time. December-February are the coldest months with night temperatures dipping to minus degrees.

How to Reach Kullu Manali
The Bhuntar Airport in Kullu is the main gateway for international visitors to the Kullu-Manali Circuit. This airport is around 10 km from Kullu city center and 50 km drive from the hill station of Manali. Manali is a drive of around 550 km from New Delhi, a distance that can take up to 14 hours to cover. For traveling from Kullu to Manali, tourists usually opt for buses that take around 3 hours. There are also buses plying everyday from Shimla, Dharamshala and Leh. Ambala Cantonment is the broad gauge railway station closest to Manali. You can also opt for trains running up to Kalka or Jogindernagar.