Tuesday 15 September 2015

7 reasons to visit Kullu-Manali

From the snowy delights of Rohtang Pass to the soothing warmth of the surrounding thermal springs, there are several places to visit in Kullu Manali for nature lovers and thrill seekers. With its picturesque views of snow-clad mountains, river valleys, charming cafes and laidback vibe, this hill station in Himachal Pradesh is an immensely popular vacation spot with both domestic and foreign tourists. Its widespread appeal draws everyone from adventure sport enthusiasts and vacationing families and honeymoon couples and hippie backpackers. Here are seven places you must visit during your holiday.


Hadimba Temple:
Hadimba Temple:
This wood and stone temple is dedicated to Hadimba, the wife of Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers from the Mahabharata. It was constructed in 1553, and is located in the middle of the Dhungri Park. The structure has a four-tiered pagoda-shaped roof, and a carved doorway that is embellished with figures of Hindu gods and symbols. Ghatotkach, the son of Bhima and Hidimba, is also worshipped as a sacred tree.


Gadhan Thekchokling Gompa
Gadhan Thekchokling Gompa:
Manali houses a small Tibetan community, and has a couple of peaceful Buddhist monasteries.
Another beautiful place to visit is the Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa, which was built by Tibetan refugees in the 1960s. The monastery is embellished in bright coloured frescoes and has a mid-sized Buddhist statute. It also has a list of Tibetan martyrs killed in the Tibetan occupation of 1987-89.
The monastery is located at the bottom of the Mall dominating the Tibetan area.



Rohtang Pass
Rohtang Pass:This snow-covered pass is located on the highway to Leh, and is only open from June to October every year. It lies at a height of 3979 metres, and offers spectacular views of glaciers, mountain peaks and the Chandra River. The pass is a gateway to Lahaul, Spiti, Pangi and Leh. Due to its increasingly popularity, the route to Rohtang is often clogged with traffic during the peak tourist season. However, once you reach, there are facilities for skiing and sledging near the pass, and plenty of photo opportunities for snap-happy tourists.




Solang ValleySolang Valley:
The former capital of Kullu, this town lies on the left bank of River Beas, 21 kilometres from Manali. It was founded by Raja Visudhpal and remained the political centre until the capital was shifted to Sultanpur in 1460 AD. Its major attraction is a beautiful castle, which has now been converted into a heritage hotel operated by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. The building was once the residence of the rulers of Kullu, and is an excellent example of western Himalayan architecture. It is made of wood and stone, and has carved doors and windows. There is a small museum, a temple and a nice restaurant within the premises. Naggar was also the home of Russian painter Nicholas Roerich, who lived here from 1929 till his death in 1947. His house has been converted into an art gallery, which exhibits his colourful paintings of the surrounding Himalayan ranges.


Vashisht:
This village is located on the bank of river Beas, 3 kilometres away from Manali, and is famous for its hot sulphur springs. It is believed that they were created by Laxman shooting an arrow into the ground. There bathing facilities available for men and women. There are also two temples dedicated to Ram and the sage Vashisht nearby.








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