TOURIST SIGHTSEEING SPOTS IN THE HIMALAYAS
Located at a distance of 750 m from Manali Bus Stand, The Van Vihar is a municipal garden situated in front of the Tibetan market on the Mall Road, Manali.
The Van Vihar Park is beautifully adorned by deodar trees and is a perfect place to spend memorable time with loved ones. A number of locals and tourists visit the park to relax and get the fresh breeze of the Deodar trees.
The main attraction of the park is the beautiful man-made lake situated in the middle of the woods. Tourists can enjoy boating in the lake. There are also lot of swings for the children as well as couples in the park. The River Beas runs nearby the park. Visit the park in the evening and you will get a chance to enjoy the stunningly beautiful view of sun setting against the glorious backdrop of the majestic mountains.
Visit for some relaxed and enjoyable time amongst awe-inspiring Deodar trees and boating around the simple pond.
The Van Vihar Park is beautifully adorned by deodar trees and is a perfect place to spend memorable time with loved ones. A number of locals and tourists visit the park to relax and get the fresh breeze of the Deodar trees.
The main attraction of the park is the beautiful man-made lake situated in the middle of the woods. Tourists can enjoy boating in the lake. There are also lot of swings for the children as well as couples in the park. The River Beas runs nearby the park. Visit the park in the evening and you will get a chance to enjoy the stunningly beautiful view of sun setting against the glorious backdrop of the majestic mountains.
Visit for some relaxed and enjoyable time amongst awe-inspiring Deodar trees and boating around the simple pond.
Along with the hills and rivers, Manali is also famous for its Tibetan Monasteries as many people from Tibetan origin have settled here. The two prominent monasteries that attract a large number of tourists from all across the world are Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa and Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa. These monasteries are a storehouse for Tibetan culture, literature and crafts. Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa is located near the busy old Manali road and was built in the year 1969.
The Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa is located near the market square of Manali.
These monasteries are known for their handicrafts, especially paintings and carpets. The tranquil surroundings of these monasteries act as a great stress buster and hence, they must be included in travel itineraries.The Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa is situated near the market place in Manali. The architecture of this monastery replicates a more modern style than the earlier one. Placed in the midst of sunflowers, the monastery glows at night with light bulbs lit to lighten it up. The huge gold faced bronze statue of Lord Buddha presides over the monastery.
These monasteries are known for their handicrafts, especially paintings and carpets. The tranquil surroundings of these monasteries act as a great stress buster and hence, they must be included in travel itineraries.The Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa is situated near the market place in Manali. The architecture of this monastery replicates a more modern style than the earlier one. Placed in the midst of sunflowers, the monastery glows at night with light bulbs lit to lighten it up. The huge gold faced bronze statue of Lord Buddha presides over the monastery.
These monasteries are surrounded by several small shops selling beautiful handicrafts and carpets, made by Tibetan people living nearby these monasteries. The Tibetan Monasteries also run a Thanks School of Arts and a Carpet-weaving Center to preserve ancient Tibetan art. The paintings inside these buildings depict events from Lord Buddha's life and the Kalchakra, i.e., the wheel of life fixed on the wall of the monastery shows the human life cycle. The Buddhists believe that rotating these wheelsgives you salvation.
Manali has several colorful monasteries that represent the rich culture and history of the Tibetan people settled in Kullu and Manali.
The aroma of incense sticks, sounds of hymns/chants and the rotating prayer wheels together creates a divine ambience. The paintings inside depict events from Lord Buddha's life. The Kalchakra i.e. the wheel of life painted on the wall of the monastery shows the circle of life. In the vicinity of the monastery there is the 'manne'. The Buddhists believe that rotating it gives you salvation.
HADIMBA DEVI TEMPLE:
Also popularly known as the Dhungiri temple, Hadimba temple one of the central attractions of Manali, the world renowned tourism destination. The temple is located amidst exquisite beauties of FOREST PARKLAND.
It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hadimba Devi, sister of Hidimb, who was a character in the Indian epic, Mahabharata. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest at the foot of the Himalayas. The sanctuary is built over a huge rock jutting out of the ground, which was worshiped as an image of the deity. The structure was built in the year 1553.
The temple is also known for a fair held every year in Hindi month of Sravan in the memory of Raja Bahadur Singh, who built the temple.
Also popularly known as the Dhungiri temple, Hadimba temple one of the central attractions of Manali, the world renowned tourism destination. The temple is located amidst exquisite beauties of FOREST PARKLAND.
It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hadimba Devi, sister of Hidimb, who was a character in the Indian epic, Mahabharata. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest at the foot of the Himalayas. The sanctuary is built over a huge rock jutting out of the ground, which was worshiped as an image of the deity. The structure was built in the year 1553.
The temple is also known for a fair held every year in Hindi month of Sravan in the memory of Raja Bahadur Singh, who built the temple.
Located at a height of 3979 metres and at a distance of 51 kms from Manali, Rohtang Pass is on the highway to Keylong/Leh. In winters, the pass remains closed but is open from June to October for motor vehicles. This pass is a gateway to Lahaul Spiti, Pangi and Leh valley. The best time to visit the pass is between May/June to October/November. In the month of May, Rohtang becomes a happening place for adventure enthusiasts
The Rohtang Pass is a natural divide between the humid Kullu Valley, which has a predominant Hindu culture and high altitude Lahaul and Spiti Calleys, which are predominantly Buddhist.
The permission to travel on this highway is given by Indian army after they clear the snow and inspect the road for it's fitness and safety for movement of person and the vehicles. The same road connects to Leh Ladakh ( State of Jammu & Kashmir ) from Manali ( state of Himachal Pradesh). Sonapani Glacier and a small lake (Dashahr) are located opposite and left to Rohtang respectively.
The pass is located at a massive height of 3978 metres, the way up the hills is a treat to the eyes. As the vehicle climbs higher on the Manali- Keylong road, the beauty of the landscape around will leave you awestruck.
Also, photography enthusiasts and nature lovers can never have enough of this place.
The Rohtang Pass is a natural divide between the humid Kullu Valley, which has a predominant Hindu culture and high altitude Lahaul and Spiti Calleys, which are predominantly Buddhist.
The permission to travel on this highway is given by Indian army after they clear the snow and inspect the road for it's fitness and safety for movement of person and the vehicles. The same road connects to Leh Ladakh ( State of Jammu & Kashmir ) from Manali ( state of Himachal Pradesh). Sonapani Glacier and a small lake (Dashahr) are located opposite and left to Rohtang respectively.
The pass is located at a massive height of 3978 metres, the way up the hills is a treat to the eyes. As the vehicle climbs higher on the Manali- Keylong road, the beauty of the landscape around will leave you awestruck.
Also, photography enthusiasts and nature lovers can never have enough of this place.
Nicholas Roerich was a famous artist. He married to Helena Roerich and famous Indian actor Devika Rani is his daughter in law. He settled in Naggar. He spent nearly 20 years in this place before his death. His entire property is now converted as an Art gallery showing his paintings. This place was originally belonging to a Raja of Mandi and Roerich bought from him. The paintings show landscapes of many important places surrounding Kullu, Manali and Naggar. Most of the paintings show the beauty of ice covered valleys and peaks during early hours of in the evening.
The place is very scenic from where entire Kullu valley on both sides can be seen. There is a sacred slab of stone called Jagti Patt in the castle. Being the only surviving castle in Kullu district, It is a belief that this Jagti Patt stone rescues the local people against all ill effects. There are three storeys in the castle and there is a museum in one of the gallery.
The Nicholas Roerich Museum is one of the prominent museums in and around Manali.
Nicholas Roerich is a Russian artist arrived in the Himalayas after the revolution of 1917, where he died in the year 1947. He married to Helena Roerich and famous Indian actor Devika Rani is his daughter in law.
The Nicholas Roerich art gallery was founded in 1962 by Svyetoslav Roerich, son of Nicholas Roerich. The building that now houses the gallery once served as the residence of Nicholas Roerich. Himachal Pradesh Government and Russian Government have formed a trust to run this art gallery as the Roerich Heritage Museum.
Paintings of Kullu, Spiti and Lahaul made by the painter have been housed in the ground floor of the gallery. A great number of his works are preserved in museums all over the world.
The artist's private rooms have been preserved in the upper floor of the museum. There are also a few photos of Nicholas on display here, such as the one in which he is posing in his front Lawn with Jawaharlal Nehru. The original work of Roerich on the Himalayas, along with his quotations and words of wisdom as well as those of the visitors and admirers of the gallery, have also been put on display here.
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm on all days except Monday.
Distance: 23 KM from Manali.
Nicholas Roerich is a Russian artist arrived in the Himalayas after the revolution of 1917, where he died in the year 1947. He married to Helena Roerich and famous Indian actor Devika Rani is his daughter in law.
The Nicholas Roerich art gallery was founded in 1962 by Svyetoslav Roerich, son of Nicholas Roerich. The building that now houses the gallery once served as the residence of Nicholas Roerich. Himachal Pradesh Government and Russian Government have formed a trust to run this art gallery as the Roerich Heritage Museum.
Paintings of Kullu, Spiti and Lahaul made by the painter have been housed in the ground floor of the gallery. A great number of his works are preserved in museums all over the world.
The artist's private rooms have been preserved in the upper floor of the museum. There are also a few photos of Nicholas on display here, such as the one in which he is posing in his front Lawn with Jawaharlal Nehru. The original work of Roerich on the Himalayas, along with his quotations and words of wisdom as well as those of the visitors and admirers of the gallery, have also been put on display here.
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm on all days except Monday.
Distance: 23 KM from Manali.
Nicholas Roerich was a Russian who settled down in the beautiful hills of the Himalayas after the revolution of 1917. He was a gifted painter, who dreamt of unifying the world through art. Roerich Art Gallery is set amidst well-tended gardens and has the perfect setting for the display of art. The whole ambience beautifully captures the essence and beauty of Himalayas, just like the subtle strokes of the brush by an expert.
The small room on the ground floor of the museum displays paintings by the artist.
They highlight the mythological fiber of Himalayas from the eyes of a Russian, its deep and bright colors being characteristic of his origin country. There are also a few photos of Nicholas on display here, such as the one in which he is posing in his front Lawn with Jawahar Lal Nehru - in Chinese silk robes, Cossack boots and burly beard. The original work of Roerich on the Himalayas, along with his quotations and words of wisdom as well as those of the visitors and admirers of the gallery, have also been put on display here.
The small room on the ground floor of the museum displays paintings by the artist.
They highlight the mythological fiber of Himalayas from the eyes of a Russian, its deep and bright colors being characteristic of his origin country. There are also a few photos of Nicholas on display here, such as the one in which he is posing in his front Lawn with Jawahar Lal Nehru - in Chinese silk robes, Cossack boots and burly beard. The original work of Roerich on the Himalayas, along with his quotations and words of wisdom as well as those of the visitors and admirers of the gallery, have also been put on display here.
NAGGAR - OLD CAPITAL OF KULLU
Founded by Raja Visudhpal (Pal dynasty), Naggar was the former capital of Kullu and continued as a headquarters of the State until the capital was transferred to Sultanpur (Kullu) by Jagat Singh in 1460 A.D. Situated on the left bank of river Beas at an altitude of 1851m, Naggar - an ancient town commands extensive views, especially to the North West of the valley. Today this ancient and beautiful Palace is a popular tourist spot. It is believed that the prominent Naggar castle was built by Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu. Located in a small village known as Naggar, 21 km from Manali town, the Castle is among the popular tourist destinations in the region.
Founded by Raja Visudhpal (Pal dynasty), Naggar was the former capital of Kullu and continued as a headquarters of the State until the capital was transferred to Sultanpur (Kullu) by Jagat Singh in 1460 A.D. Situated on the left bank of river Beas at an altitude of 1851m, Naggar - an ancient town commands extensive views, especially to the North West of the valley. Today this ancient and beautiful Palace is a popular tourist spot. It is believed that the prominent Naggar castle was built by Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu. Located in a small village known as Naggar, 21 km from Manali town, the Castle is among the popular tourist destinations in the region.
The Castle was converted into a rest house, a hundred year back and in 1978 this ancient building was handed over to HPTDC to run as a heritage hotel. This medieval Castle was built by Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu around 1460 A.D. The hotel overlooks the Kullu Valley and apart from the spectacular view and superb location this has a flavour of authentic western Himalayan architecture. Here, a gallery houses the paintings of the Russian artist Nicholas Roerich. Naggar also has three other old shrines. Hotel Castle is an unique medieval stone and wood mansion, once the home to the Raja of Kullu and now an HPTDC Heritage hotel.
Naggar can be reached either from Kullu side or Manali side. After Kullu, around 9 kms, take right side turn to enter a small hanging bridge on river Beas to cross the river and proceed towards narrow uphill road. Only light motor vehicles can be used on this bridge.