If you want to take a breath of fresh air , if you love the nip in the air, if you like touching your nose suddenly to find it cold, if you like to see your breath after you blow it out, if you like being one with nature and tall pine trees and snow capped mountains...then Manali is the place to visit.It is absolutely a beautiful place!
We had gone to Manali from Pathankot which is right at the border of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.We took a bus from there to Kullu which is a 10 hr journey.But the journey did not seem too long or too strenuous as the roads are good and you have the river Beas flowing and gurgling along with you all the way ...sometimes playing hide and seek with you...sometimes you catch a glimpse of it as the bus takes a sharp turn or sometimes flowing right beside you silently like a companion.
Well..after a short stay at Kullu we begin the journey for Manali.One can stay over at Kullu for a day, the Valley of the Gods as they locally call it here.Though it is a lovely place , surrounded by mountains which look breathtaking at night ...dotted by lights which twinkle from the small hamlets situated on the hills...it looks as if the stars from the sky has descended on to the earth ..a truly magical sight! While in Kullu, you can also visit a Vaishno Devi Mandir and a rabbit farm located in the vicinity.
Then we start off for Manali , which is about an hour’s drive from Kullu. The air becomes chillier, the road narrower and the river noisier...the gushing sound almost echoing the excited beat of my heart!Once you reach Manali, it is easy to find a place to stay ...there are lots of hotels, for every budget ...so no one needs to worry about accomodation.
Once you freshen up ...and you look around ...you see snow capped mountains, clouds kissing the mountains and swaying away lightly...you feel the mist on your face ...and touch the dewdrops on your hair...yes, you have arrived! Sipping on piping hot tea we planned our day.Well , one of the most economical, if not the best, is to take a bus tour.
The places to visit in Manali are Hidimba Temple, who was the wife of Bhima. Fully made of wood, with intricate designs and surrounded by tall strong trees , it is a sight to behold. You will also find yaks near the temple.
Near the temple, was a amusement park which had a merry go round sort of a ride...which took you up into the sky ...and then hurtled you down towards the earth at great speed.I insisted that I want to try the ride out...brave soul, I am! .. :-) ...well, the rebellious duo ( read me and my sister) had their wish and with great gusto we climbed onto the ride ...for the ride of a lifetime! I could not open my eyes for the few minutes...because of sheer fright..( I admit it now)..but when I did manage to open my eyes, I could not stop screaming...it is unnerving to feel as if you are going to go straight down the gorge!However, though relieved I was at the end of it ...it was one of the most exhilarting rides that one could get up on.
Then there are the hot springs of Manali, where people come and take baths as well.Another must see spot is the club house which is right beside the Beas...well, I can tell you that dont dip your hands in the river for more than few seconds...simply because the water is toooo cold !
Well..the best is yet to come...if you want to touch the snow , throw snowballs and wear overcoats and boots, hop on a bus and go to Rohtang Pass! Since we had visited Manali before the summers had set in, all the waterfalls were frozen and the sides of the road were also covered with the snow...but in summer, with the waterfalls rushing down and flowers blooming , it would be a panoramic sight.
Once you reach the ’snow point’ as is locally called, you have reached the place where there is snow all around...its a white world.The river is still with you..ever faithful...and the best part is that you can also ski..yes, the sporty me tried this out too! It was another thing that I could not stay on my feet for more than 30 secs before falling flat!! Hmm...another interesting ride that you can try is that you get on top of a snowcapped hillock...there are huge tyres..sit on the tyre which is tied, and then you are pushed down the slope...you scream again as you feel yourself hurtling down with a tremendous speed , with nothing to hold on...no brakes to push on..!When you stop inches away from the river...you realise that the voice screaming is no one else’s but yours! Amazing ride...a must try!
A visit to Manali will be incomplete without going to Manikaran, a place around 40 kms away.Nestled between huge trees and hot natural springs, there is a Gurudwara, where large number of devotees come to offer their prayers.You will feel a serene calmness in you being one with God and Nature at the same time.
If one is in Manali, then one should also try out Dharamsala, Dhalousie and Chamba ...all beautiful hill spots. If you love solitude, then you can also visit Kasauli.
The best time to visit Manali is in the winters or the spring.It is well connected by road from Delhi, Shimla and Jammu.However, the place is becoming overcrowded with tourists, the pristine white snow becoming muddy with the trampling of boots.
But if you ever plan to visit the mountains, do not miss this heavenly abode .It is a treat for sore eyes , the weary office goer, the adventure lover , the trekker, the romantic couple, the child, the poet and the wander lust!