Manali, Himachal Pradesh

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Manali ( Hindi मनाली, Manali ) is a town with a population of about 6,300 inhabitants ( 2001 census ) in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh in the north end of the Kullu Valley. The major base station in the mountain region belongs administratively to District Kullu.

Location

Manali is situated at an altitude of 1900 m on the river Beas, 40 km north of the town of Kullu and 50 km south of the Rohtang Pass. The city is divided into today's modern market and tourist center Manali ( old post " Duff Dunbar " the British right of the Beas ), which is now completely built Aleo on the left bank of Beas and the original " Old Manali ", about 2-3 km northwest picturesquely situated above the Manalsu Nalla on a hillside orchards, traditional stone and adobe houses and free-running cattle.

History

Manali literally means "Home of Manu ". Manu is the mythological character who survived according to the legend, when the world was hit by the great flood. One version after his ark fell after the flood in Manali on solid ground, and Manu created human life again. The region of Manali is considered sacred and Hindus flock from afar to the holy places, especially for temple of the goddess Devi Hidimva millennial cedar forest Dhungri.

Manali is located at the beginning of an ancient trade route to Ladakh and, from there continue on the Karakorumpass after Yarkant and Khotan in the Tarim Basin. Today Manali is the starting point of the strategic National Highway to Ladakh ( " Manali Leh Road ").

Since the second half of the 19th century Manali was interesting for British officers, who retreated after their retirement in the then completed Kullu Valley. Even today, the descendants of Col. Bannon in Manali are significant. Especially since the increased terrorist activities in Kashmir Valley in 1989/90 blew up the tourism infrastructure in Manali.

Importance

Manali is now a popular tourist destination in the Himalayas and one of the climbers main places of Asia with the seat of the Western Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports.

Due to the mild summer climate and its famous temple, it is primarily destination for Indian tourists and starting point for mountain tours and sports activities of Indian and foreign tourists.

Traffic

The nearest airport is Bhuntar, 52 km south of Manali, which is served by direct flights from New Delhi via Shimla. The nearest narrow gauge railway terminates in Jogindernagar, about 135 kilometers west of Manali. The nearest major town is Kullu, is approached from which the town with private and public buses and taxis. The Leh-Manali Highway connects Himachal Pradesh with the capital of Ladakh Leh.