One day, Varvasvata, the seventh incarnation Manu found a tiny fish in his bathing water. The fish told him to look after with devotion for one day it would do him a great service. The seventh Manu cared for the fish till the day it grew so huge that he released it into the sea. Before departing, the fish warned Manu of an impending deluge when the entire world would be submerged and bade him to build a sea-worthy ark. When the flood came, Varvasvata and seven sages were towed to safety by Matsya, the fish -which is regarded as first avatar of Lord Vishnu. As the water subsided the seventh Manu's ark came to the rest on a hill side and the place was named Manali (2050 m) after him.

As the art slowly dried, here arose a place of breath taking natural beauty which was only appropriate at Manali that life began again. Today this legendary cradle of all human kind is a prime holiday destination. There are high mountains surrounded by silent snows and deep boulder strew gorges. There are thick forests full of cool breezes and bird songs. There are fields of wild flowers, small picturesque hamlets and fruit laden orchards.

Prime Sites

• Handimba Tample (1 km) :
  Built in 1553 and with a superbly crafted four tiered pagoda roof, it is famous for its exquisitely carved doorway.

• Manu Tample (2 km) :
  This is dedicated to the sage Manu.

• Vashisth (3 km) :
  Well known for its hot springs. There are old temples dedicated to the sage Vashisth and to Lord Rama.

• Monasteries :
  There are three recently built Tibetan monasteries at Manali.

• Jagatsukh (6 km) :
  The one time capital of Kullu. Here are old temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and to Sandhya Gayatri. The Arjun caves are just ahead.

• Solang Valley (14 km) :
  In a picturesque setting this has good ski sloped and picnic spots. HPTDC organises ski packages during winter.

• The Rohtang Pass :
  On the road to keylong is the Nehru Kund (6km) which is a clear water spring scenic spot named after the Lat Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Kothi (12km) is a picturesque village and has a thrilling view of the deep gorge through which the beas swiftly races. The beautiful Rahalla falls (16km) are at at altitude of 2500m. A crucial link on the old trade-route and still the gateway to trans Himalayan Lahaul, the Rohtang Pass is at height of 3980 m.

• Keylong (115 km) :
  Situated at an altitude of 3350 mtrs., Keylong is the headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh lying on Indo-Tibetan Border. The region is strange, exciting, primitive mountainous and delightful. "Rudyard Kipling" said of the region "Surely the God live here this no place for men." The route of Lahaul takes a traveller over Rohtang Pass (3980m above the sea level), Koksar (1st village of Lahaul) Sissu, Gondla and Tandi crossing the river Chandrabagha.

  Places of Interest in/around Keylong

  • Lahaul :
    Lahaul is well known for its monasteries, locally called gompas, which are great repositories of Buddhist faith and art treasures. These are kardang-8 km. Shasur-3 km, Guru Ghantal-4 km, and Tyaul 6 km.
  • Tandi (2573m) :
    8 km, short of Keylong, on the Manali-Leh Raod, situated on the confluence of Chandra Bhaga rivers.
  • Sissu (3100m) :
    On the bank of Chandra 15 km from Koksar, every spring and autumn wild geese and ducks halt here on their way to and from Siberia.
  • Gondla (3110m) :
    18 km from Keylong on the right bank of river Chandra. Famous for ancient Fort.
  • Udaipur (2523m) :
    53 km from Keylong, home of the Mrikula Devi Temple, which is famous for wood carvings.
  • Triloknath (2660m) :
    4 km from Udaipur. Famous for Triloknath temple. Sacred both for HIndu and Buddhist.
  • Baralacha Pass (4883m) :
    On the Manali based Mountaineering Institute organises skiing, rock climbing and mountaineering courses, Numerous treks and adventure trails lead out of Manali.

• By Air :
  The airport at Bhunter is 50 km from Manali .
• By Rail :
  The closest narrow gauge railhead is at Jogindernagar, 165 km away. The closest broad gauge rail heads are Chandigarh (310 km) and Ambala (355 km).
• By Road :
  By road the distance from Delhi via Mandi 570 km. and from Shimla the distance is 280 km. From Shimla, Chandigarh and Delhi, HImachal Tourism plies luxury buses to Manali.

In winter, the temperature can drop to below freezing point when heavy woollens are required. Summer temperature are mild and light woollens/cottons are recommended.

• Delux Hotels :
  1. Log Huts, Manali (H.P.)-175131. Tel: (01902) 52407.
  2. Hadimba Cottages, Manali (H.P.)-175131. Tel: (01902) 52334.
  3. Hotel Kunzam, Manali (H.P.)-175131. Tel: (01902) 53197, 53198
  4. Hotel Rohtang Manalsu, Manali (H.P.)-175131. Tel: (01902) 52332, 53723.

• Budget Hotels :
  1. Hotel Beas, Manali (H.P.)-175131. Tel: (01902) 52832
  2. Tourist Lodge, Manali (H.P.)-175131.
  3. Tourist Bungalow, Keylong, Distt. Lahaul & Spiti (H.P.) Tel: (01902) 22247.