INCREDIBLE INDIA
Five Historical Places In Himachal Pradesh That Will Make You Travel Back In Time
By Tapas Saha, 01/12/2019
. Manali, Himachal Pradesh 🔻Snowfall in Manali
Manali is a resort town nestled in the mountains of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh near the northern end of the Kullu Valley in the Beas River Valley. It is located in the Kullu district, about 270 km (168 mi) north of the state capital, Shimla, 309 km (192 miles) northeast of Chandigarh and 544 km (338 miles) northeast of Delhi, the national capital. The small town, with a population of 8,096, is the beginning of an ancient trade route to Ladakh and from there over the Karakoram Pass on to Yarkand and Khotan in the Tarim Basin. It is a popular tourist destination and serves as the gateway to Lahaul and Spiti district as well as Leh.
History Of Manali
Manali is named after the Sanatan Hindu lawgiver Manu. The name Manali is regarded as the derivative of 'Manu-Alaya' which literally means 'the abode of Manu'. Legend has it that sage Manu stepped off his ark in Manali to recreate human life after a great flood had deluged the world. Manali lies in the North of Kullu Valley. The valley is often referred to as the 'Valley of the Gods'. Old Manali village has an ancient temple dedicated to sage Manu.
The British introduced apple trees in the area. The first apple orchard was set up by the British near Patlikuhl, before this, no Apple trees grew in the area. To this day, apple— along with plum and pear— remain the best source of income for the majority of inhabitants. Both Rainbow and Brown Trout were also introduced into the rivers and streams of the area by the colonisers.
With the increase in disposable incomes and somewhat owing to the rise of disturbances in Kashmir in the late 1980s, Manali witnessed a surge in tourist traffic. This once quiet village was transformed into a bustling town with numerous homestays as well as the occasional boutique hotel. During the warmer summer months, cafes and restaurants can be seen doing brisk business.
Himachal Pradesh is one of the states of India which is blessed with immense natural beauty. In addition to the picturesque mountains and valleys, the state is also abundant in places of historical importance.
Here are some of the places which have an immense historical significance and should be on your must-visit list to the state.
1 Viceregal Lodge, Shimla
Timings: 10:30 am to 5 pm; Closed on Monday ( Indian Time )
Entry Fees: ( Indian currency ) Rs.20 per person
Entry Fees: ( Indian currency ) Rs.20 per person
2 Hadimba Temple, Manali
Nestled among the snow-capped hills of Manali, this is a unique temple dedicated to Hadimba who is known as Bheema’s wife from the ancient epic tales of Mahabharata. The place is surrounded by cedar trees and the temple is built on a rock which is said to be an image of the deity herself. The architecture is Pagoda style and unique in its cone-shaped roof with metal covering and carved wooden doorways. It is said to be constructed as early as 1553. There are ample tourist places to visit in Manali where you will find the perfect combination of nature and history.
Timings: 8am to 6pm ( Indian Time )
No entry fee
No entry fee
3 Kangra Fort, Kangra
This treasure trove of a fort is one of the largest in the Himalayan region and is located in the suburbs of the Kangra town near Dharamsala. The fort’s history travels back to some 3500 years. It withstood the wrath of numerous attacks and battles but eventually bowed down to an earthquake which rattled its core in 1904. Still, the beautiful ruins are enough to fascinate you with their spellbinding stories.
Timings: 9am to 5:30pm ( Indian Time )
Entry fees: INR 150 for Indians; INR 300 for Foreigners
4 Key Monastery, Spiti District
This 1000-year-old monastery located at a height of 13,668ft above sea level is situated in the Lahaul-Spiti district. This is the largest learning centre for Buddhist Lamas. The place is built in Pasada style of architecture. The exhibited murals, ancient weapons and unique thangkas are not something to be missed. You can add this place to your list if you are looking for some solitude among a backdrop of white mountains and want to learn about the ancient lifestyle followed in Tibet. You can even book a stay at the monastery, but well in advance.
Timings: 6am to 6pm ( Indian Time )
No entry fee
No entry fee
5 Laxmi Narayan Temple, Chamba
The temple holds immense historical significance as it was constructed in the 10th century and is located in the Chamba district. The architecture of the temple is very remarkable. It has a Shikhar which is gilded with pure gold, a garbhagriha, mandapa and an antarala. The roof is made of shell and in the shape of a wheel to give protection against snowfall. The statue of the main deity, Vishnu, is said to have been made of a rare marble quality. The entire complex consists of six more statues which are situated in a row in the direction of north to south.
Timings: 6am to 12:30pm; 2:30 pm to 8:30pm ( Indian Time )
No entry fee
The climate in Manali is predominantly cold during winter and moderately cool during summer. The temperature range from −7 ° C (19 ° F) to 30 ° C (86 ° F) over the year with the hottest day crossing 30 ° C (86 ° F) and the coldest day is going down −7 ° C (19) ° F). The average temperature during summer is between 10 ° C (50 ° F) to 30 ° C (86 ° F), and between 7 ° C (19 ° F) to 15 ° C (59 ° F) in the winter.
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