Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Manali () is a resort town, near Kullu town in Kullu district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated at the northern end of the Kullu Valley, formed by the Beas River. The town is located in the Kullu district, approximately north of the state capital of Shimla and northeast of the national capital of New Delhi. Manali is a popular tourist destination in India and serves as the gateway to the Lahaul and Spiti district as well as the city of Leh in Ladakh.''Paper also Presented at the International Seminar on Disasters, Environment and Development, 9–12 December 1994, New Delhi, India'' –by

Manali is the beginning of an ancient trade route through Lahaul (H.P.) and Ladakh, over the Karakoram Pass and onto Yarkand and Hotan in the Tarim Basin of China. As per the 2011 Census of India, Manali Municipal Council had a population of 8,096, comprising 4,717 males and 3,379 females. Updated estimates suggest the town’s population is approximately 11,700 as of 2025. During the summer 2025 monsoon season, heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides in Mandi district, disrupting the Chandigarh–Manali highway near 4 Mile, Pandoh, and Thalot Tunnel. The route was blocked for up to 24 hours, stranding hundreds of vehicles and causing significant travel delays. Statewide, over 400 roads were blocked; Mandi alone reported 232 blocked roads and 71 in Kullu district, including Manali-bound routes. The disasters resulted in 137 deaths, with severe damage to roads, water and power infrastructure. Due to the narrow Himalayan terrain and recent landslides, traffic congestion along the Chandigarh–Manali National Highway (NH‑21) has worsened significantly. Even outside disaster periods, gridlock is common during peak tourist season, leading to long delays and often only one-way traffic management on affected stretches.

Mythology

Manali is named after Manu, the progenitor of humanity in Hinduism. The name ''Manali'' is regarded as the derivative of ''Manu-Alaya'' (). In Hindu cosmology, Manu is believed to have stepped off his ark in Manali to recreate human life after a great flood had deluged the world at the end of an cyclic age. The Kullu Valley in which Manali is situated is often referred to as the "Valley of the Gods". An old village in the town has an ancient temple dedicated to the sage Manu.

Geography

Manali is located at 32.2396 N, 77.1887 E, about north of New Delhi.

Climate

Manali features a subtropical highland climate (''Cfb'') with warm summers, relatively cold winters, and a high diurnal temperature variation. The temperatures range from to over the year with the hottest day crossing and the coldest day going below . The average temperature during summer is between to , and between to in the winter.

Monthly precipitation varies between in November and in July. On average, some of precipitation is received during winter and spring months, increasing to some in summer as the monsoon approaches. The average total annual precipitation is . Manali experiences snowfall predominantly between December and the beginning of March.

Demographics

Manali has grown from a trading village to a small town. As of the 2011 census of India, its population was 8,096. In 2001, Manali had an official population of 6,265. Males constituted 64% of the population and females 36%. Manali had an average literacy rate of 74%, male literacy was 80%, and female literacy was 63.9%. 9.5% of the population was under six years of age.

Transport

Road

Manali can be reached from Delhi by national highway NH 1 up to Ambala and from there NH 22 to Chandigarh and from there by national highway NH21 that passes through Bilaspur, Sundernagar, Mandi and Kullu towns. The road distance from Chandigarh to Manali is , and the total distance from Delhi to Manali is . Bus services are available from HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation), HPTDC (Himachal Tourism Development Corporation), and private operators.

Air

The nearest airport Kullu–Manali Airport (IATA code KUU) is at Bhuntar town in Kullu. The airport is also known as Kullu-Manali airport and has more than a kilometer-long runway. Air India has regular flights to the airport from New Delhi.

Helicopter Service

Pawan Hans, the Government charter agency, provides helicopter-taxi service connecting Shimla to Chandigarh, Kullu, Kangra and Dharamshala.

Rail

Bilaspur will a station on the under-costruction Bhanupli–Leh line.India’s costliest rail line will change how we view travel
theweek.in, 13 Apr 2025. There is no close railhead available close to Manali. The nearest broad gauge railheads are at Una away, Kiratpur Sahib , Kalka (), Chandigarh (), and Pathankot (). The nearest narrow gauge railhead is at Joginder Nagar (). The Kalka–Shimla Railway is a nostalgic narrow-gauge route culminating at the state capital to travel by road to Manali.

Attractions

* Mall Road - Main shopping street of Manali.
* Hadimba Temple – A unique wooden shrine dedicated to Hidimbi, wife of Bhima, noted for its pagoda-style architecture.
* Ghatotkacha Temple – Located close to Hadimba, dedicated to Ghatotkacha, son of Bhima and Hadimba Devi.
* Vashisht Temple – Situated in Vashisht village, known for its sulphurous hot springs and temples dedicated to Lord Vashisht, Shiva, and Rama.
* Manu Temple – An ancient shrine dedicated to Maharishi Manu, believed to be the creator of mankind in Hindu tradition.
* Rohtang Pass – Approximately 51 km from Manali, at an altitude of 3979m (13,050 ft) above sea level; connects Kullu Valley with Lahaul and Spiti, and is a popular scenic destination.
* Bara Lacha Pass – Another high mountain pass in the region, providing access to Zanskar and Ladakh, often included in trekking circuits.
* Atal Tunnel - Runs under Rohtang Pass constructed on the Manali - Leh Highway. Longest Highway Tunnel at 10,000 feet.
* Solang Valley - Vast green slopes and a ski resort 14 Km north of Manali. Popularly known as Snow Point.
* Hamta Pass - Scenic pass between Manali and Chandra Valley.

Environmental concerns

Manali has witnessed a flurry of activity related to hydroelectric power and tourism. Unplanned and rampant construction has led to severe depletion of forests and pollution of river bodies, along with garbage being disposed of on the side of the mountains. There has been a loss of habitat to various species of fauna, not limited to the Himalayan monal, incidentally the state bird of Uttarakhand.

See also

* Tourism in Himachal Pradesh
* List of hill stations in India
* Mall Road, Manali
* Rohtang Pass, Manali

Further reading

*Verma, V. 1996. ''Gadd of Dhauladhar: A Transhumant Tribe of the Himalayas''. Indus Publishing Co., New Delhi.
*Handa, O. C. 1996. ''Buddhist Monasteries in Himachal Pradesh''. .
*Penelope Chetwode 1972, 1989 "Kulu: The End of the Habitable World" () Time Books International

References

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*

External links

Himachal Tourism Official Govt Website
* https://hpkullu.nic.in/
* https://www.explorerishikesh.in/ Explore Rishikesh, Retrieved 02 / November 2025
* https://www.cabbookingrishikesh.in/ Official Website . 19 December 2024 . Retrieved 21 November 2019 ( Contact Cab Booking Rishikesh )

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Tourism in Himachal Pradesh
Hill stations in Himachal Pradesh
Ski areas and resorts in India
Cities and towns in Kullu district