Manali, Manali: A Guide to PIN Code 175131
Everything you need to know about Manali in Manali - from local landmarks and street food to the stories behind the pincode.
The first time you see snow in Manali, something changes inside you. Maybe it is the way it catches the light, or the way the silence of it seems to absorb all the noise of your life. Whatever it is, Manali has a way of making you feel like you have been carrying too much, and that it is time to put some of it down. This is PIN code 175131, the adventure capital of the Himalayas.
Solang Valley - where the sky meets the snow
Solang Valley, about 14 kilometres from Manali, is where the adventure begins. In winter, the valley is a white playground for skiing and snowboarding. In summer, it transforms into a launchpad for paragliding, zorbing and cable car rides. The views from the top of the cable car - snow-capped peaks stretching in every direction - are worth the trip alone.
Manali is not just a destination. It is a feeling - of snow under your feet, cold air in your lungs, and the Himalayas reminding you how small you are and how beautiful that can be.
Rohtang Pass - the roof of the world
Rohtang Pass, at 3,978 metres, connects the Kullu Valley to the Lahaul Valley. The drive from Manali to Rohtang is one of the most spectacular in India - through pine forests, past waterfalls, alongside glacial streams. At the top, the world drops away and you are left with nothing but mountains and sky. Snow stays on Rohtang almost year-round, and even in summer, you can play in it.
Old Manali - the bohemian soul
Old Manali, separated from the main town by a steep climb, has a completely different vibe. The narrow lanes are lined with cafes, guesthouses and shops selling everything from Tibetan prayer flags to handwoven shawls. The Manu Temple, dedicated to the sage Manu who is believed to have created humanity, is here. The evenings in Old Manali are legendary - live music spills out of cafes, backpackers share stories over bonfires, and the mountains watch in silence.
Hadimba Temple and culture
The Hadimba Devi Temple, built in 1553 in the middle of a cedar forest, is the most unusual temple you will ever see. Built entirely of wood, it sits on a rock and is surrounded by tall deodar trees. The temple is dedicated to Hadimba, wife of Bhima from the Mahabharata, and during the Dussehra festival, the entire Kullu Valley gathers here for one of the largest fairs in Himachal Pradesh.
175131 is where you go to lose yourself in the mountains, find yourself in the silence, and discover that the best adventures are the ones that change you from the inside.