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The Kullu valley has an
ancient town in its lap called Manali. Surrounded by
towering peaks at an arm length, Manali's major asset is
its proximity to the snowline. It is a flourishing
orchard industry, a popular honeymoon destination and
trailhead for numerous treks as well as a great
countryside ideal for adventure sport lovers. Also
popular as a hill resort destination, Manali presents
some excellent and well-equipped accommodation choices
for the tourists. In the past decade Manali has turned
out to be one of the best hill resort destination of
India, particularly in those resorts, which cater Indian
domestic tourists and honeymoon couples. But the ideal
places to stay are the small guesthouses, providing a
tranquil atmosphere of the Himalayas for those who are
looking for solitude.Manali literally means the 'Home of
Manu'. Manu is the mythological character that is
supposed to have survived when the world was drowned in
Flood. He then came to Manali and recreated human life.
Thus, the area of Manali is sacred and Hindus treat the
temples over here as pilgrimage.
PRIME ATTRACTION
Hadiamba Temple:
Hadimba or Dhungiri temple in Manali is one of the
most important temples in the region. This four-story
wooden temple is located in the middle of a forest
called the Dhungiri Van Vihar. Hadimba or Dhungiri
temple in Manali is one of the most important temples in
the region. This four story wooden temple is located in
the middle of a forest called the Dhungiri Van Vihar.
From the name of the forest parkland this temple derives
its name. This temple was erected in 1553 and is
dedicated to Goddess Hadimba.
THE LEGEND OF HADIMBA TEMPLE:
Hadimba, a 'Rakshashi' in the Mahabharat has been
deified and is worshipped in this area. According to
Mahabharat 'Hadimb Rakshash' ruled some of the
sub-mountainous tracts of the Himalayas. His sister was
Hadimba or Hidimba. In their wanderings the Pandavas,
along with their mother, after escaping from the wax
house unhurt came to the territory of Hadimb Rakshash.
Bhima fell in love with Hadimba, the sister of the
ruler. Bhima could marry her only after killing the
brother. The pair-lived in the valley for about a year
after which Bhima joined his brothers and mother.
Hadimba gave birth to a son who was named 'Ghototkachh'.
Till Ghototkachh was a minor, Hadimba looked after her
country. She retired to the inner hills, for meditation,
when her son Ghototkachh, a great warrior took over the
country. Ghototkachh was a good administrator. Dhungri
was the place near Manali where Hadimba had resorted for
meditation. A temple of Hadimba in 'pagoda' style was
raised and she became Devi Hadimba. Hadimba had
supernatural powers owing to 'tapashya' and was kind to
her people. Hadimba became the patron-deity of the Rajas
of Kullu. The Tilak ceremony of every Raja of Kulu has
to be done with the permission of the goddess and after
worshipping her a, buffalo is sacrificed. Certain
ceremonials where the patron deity is closely associated
have to be performed in the Dussehra festival of Kulu.
The Dussehra festival is held at Dhalpur Maiden and as
mentioned the idol of Raghunathji is taken there. From
his temple the goddess Hadimba blesses the ceremonial
horse. The ceremony is called as 'Ghor Pooja'. The
pagoda type wooden temple of the goddess at Dhungri is
according to Hira Nand Shastri, the antiquarian about
500 years old. No idol is enshrined and only a footprint
on a stone is kept within. Raja Bahadur Singh who built
the temple is commemorated by a fair held on the first
of Savan annually named as 'Bahadur Singh Re Jatar.'
This Mela is also called as Saroohni, which is symbolic
of the completion of the transplanting of paddy. Hadimba
goddess has been humanized by the people and made their
own. On the first of 'Jaith', or 14th of May, another
Mela is held to celebrate birthday of the goddess
Hadimba. This Mela is held in the Dhungri forest. It
lasts for three days. Thousands of men, women and
children participate in the Mela. Rice-bear (Lungri)
flows among both men and women who make themselves merry
in music and dance. There is another indigenous
ceremony. The deities, Kartikswami of Simsa, Chhandal
Rishi of Parsha, shrishti Narayan of Aleo, Shriganh of
Jagatsukh, Vishnu of Shajla, Maladevi of Sial and Sankh
Narayan of Nasogi, are brought in processions with
proper music by their followers to Dhungri. On the 4th
day, the fair shifts to the temple of Manu in the
village Manali. The Dhungri forest provides a grand
setting to the assemblage of hill women in their
colorful clothes.
Temple Of Manu:
Slippery stones paths lead through the old village
houses up to the temple of Manu. Manali is named after
the sage Manu who meditated when he came in this area.
Tibetan Temple:
Tibetans have a base in Manali too. There is a large
modern Tibetan temple to the South of the bus stand and
also a small handicrafts centre.
Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa:
This Gompa dominates the Tibetan area around the bottom
of the Mall in Manali. The Tibetan refugees built the
Gompa in the late 1960's. The Gompa is covered with
brightly coloured frescoes and a mid size Buddhist
statute. It also carries a list of the martyrs killed in
occupation of Tibet of 1987 to 1989.
Old Manali:
The old Manali area is located some 3-km from the
present day Manali. The old Manali is covered with
guesthouses, which look ancient now, and orchards where
the livestock move at will.
Rohtang Pass:
Rohtang Pass is the highest point, 4,112m, on the
Manali-Keylong road, 51-km from Manali town. It provides
a wide panoramic view of mountains rising far above
clouds, which is a sight truly breath-taking.
Arjun Gufa:
On the left bank of the Beas, 5-km from Manali near the
village of Prini, is the 'Arjun Gufa' or the cave of
Arjuna. In here Arjuna practiced austerities to get
Pashupata Ashtra or weapon from Lord Indra. |
