Kullu Manali in Himachal Pradesh
For enchanting mountainous scenery and quaint villages oozing storybook charm, it’s hard to beat Manali. The name, Manali, evokes soaring snow-capped peaks of the Alps, sparkling blue lakes, emerald valleys, dreamy glaciers, and picturesque lakeside hamlets, as well as vibrant city life. There is an endless list of gorgeous places to visit in Manali, which is why many would consider Manali as one of the most beautiful cities in the world even it is said to be haven of India on earth. Just one visit can make you craziest fan of Manali and you wish to live here for your hole lifetime as I wish always.
Old Manali
If you haven’t visited Old Manali, then you’re probably missing out on something major. This destination tends to remind one of the roaring 60s and the decade of the hippies. A bridge set across the Manalsu River is what separates old Manali from its other side. Filled with cafes, houses, and street-sellers, Old Manali carries a rustic charm to it.
Solang Valley
The Solang Valley in Manali region is an area of astounding scenic beauty, and one of Himachal’s top tourist destination. Also known as Solang Nala, the Solang Valley is a high altitude valley that lies at the top of Kullu in the Himachal Pradesh state of India. The beautiful landscape of the Solang Valley will give you the feeling of being in another world. Located about 16 km from Manali, the valley is nearly 8500 feet above sea level. Solang is the name of a village and Nullah means the water streams coming from the mountains. Here the mountains, dense forests and snowcapped peaks are all your next door neighbors. The green of the trees, the red of the apples and the blue sky, make for a perfectly quiet and serene experience.
Jogini Falls
Cascading from a height of around 150 ft through multiple levels, Jogini or Jogni Falls is a beautiful waterfall situated near Vashisht Village in Himachal Pradesh. There are tons of waterfalls scattered around India and around the world, and all have their value, but none match the glory of the Jogini falls. It’s the history behind this waterfall that really makes Jogini falls so stunning. The waterfall is thought to be the sacred bathing place for the “Joginis”, daughters of Lord Indra. Furthermore, Jogini is considered the protective goddess of the village, so the place is a symbol of female power. The waterfall can be reached by trekking from Vashisht Temple. In fact, the Jogini Waterfalls trek is a very famous trek in Manali and thousands of tourists take up this trek trail every year.
Hadimba Temple
Hadimba temple comes to top in the list of best places to visit in Manali. It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to goddess Hadimba, who was a wife of Pandava Bhima from the Mahabharata. The temple is surrounded by a beautiful cedar forest and it was built in 1553. About 100 meters away from the temple lies another monument, built in honor of Ghatotkacha, the child of Bhima and Hadimba. You can also take photos in this place as its surrounding area has beautiful trees and mountain. You can also get small funfair and market nearby.
