Manali is an important hill station of northern India and is the destination of thousands of tourists every year. Its cool atmosphereprovides a perfect haven for the ones afflicted by the hot Indian summers. Besides offering quite a few places for sightseeing, Manali is also famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking. In brief, Manali-the veritable "valley of the Gods"-is an ideal place for the ones in search of both adventure and comfort. The Kulluis in brightly patterned puttoos, Tibetan women wearing ankle-length rainbow-striped pinafores, Nepali porters, Buddhist monks, and even the odd party of Zanskaris, swathed in fusty woolen gonchas, muddled together with souvenir-hunting Indian and Western tourists-all add up to the welcoming hubbub of Manali.
Vashist Village
It is a beautiful village in Manali, flocked by the tourists for its natural hot springs and Buddhist temples. Most of the population of this village consists of Buddhists.
Solang Village
Offering fabulous scenic beauty, the Solang Village is a captivating destination and the credit goes to its ?snow point?. You can treat yourself to mesmerizing views of the glaciers and the snow-capped mountain ranges at the snow point.
Rotang Pass
The Rotang Pass promises to enchant its visitors with its celestial beauty. Located at an elevation of 13,050 feet above sea level,?Rotang Pass is a destination of unspoiled beauty. Rotang Pass is synonymous with ice and the best time to visit it is June.
Hadimba Devi Temple
The history of this temple dates back to 1553. Its flawlessly carved doorway and four tiered pagoda roof are notable.
Manu Temple
Dedicated to the great sage Manu, the temple is visited by many a visitor.
Manikaran
Known for its hot spring, Manikaran is located at a height of 1700 m. The hot spring is considered sacred because it is here that goddess Parvati, the consort of lord Shiva, lost her earring. It is considered auspicious to take a dip in this hot spring.
Arjun Gufa
There is a legend associated with this Gufa and it goes that Arjuna, one of the pandavas, meditated here to earn Pasupata Astra from Lord Indra.
Adventure in Manali
A Jeep safari is an interesting way to explore Manali. The best route for a Jeep Safari is from Manali to Leh, which remains open only form June to September.
Mountaineering in Manali
Manali offers exciting opportunities for mountaineering. Apart from offering entertainment and thrill, this expedition gives an opportunity to view the scenic beauty of Manali.
Snow Skiing in Manali
The snow covered stretches of Manali are perfect destinations for snow-skiing. The training courses and facilities for snow-skiing are made available by the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports. Tourists can hire skiing equipments from HPTDC office at a reasonable price. However, indulge in this adventurous activity only if you are physically and mentally healthy.