Manali Tourism and Travel Guide
History: The story so far Manali’s `history’ is really more myth than history. According to Hindu mythology, Manaliwas the home of the lawgiver Manu (after whom the town is named). Legend has it that when a flood deluged the earth, Manu and the gods were towed to dry ground by a giant fish, which was the seventh `avatar’ of the god Vishnu. The area where Manu eventually found refuge was Manali.
Whether that’s actually how it happened or not,Manali remained a fairly quiet place, more or less unknown to the outside world, till pretty recently. During the 20th century, the British started to frequent the town- its climate and natural beauty were equable enough- and Manali gradually began to acquire the reputation of a tourist destination. This reputation got a bit tarnished during the 1970s and 80s, however, mainly because of the discovery that marijuana grown around the town was particularly good. After two decades or so of
happy-go-lucky, joint-smoking hippies,Manali’s now turning into a base camp for trekkers and intrepid mountaineers. Honeymooners and families from all across India still descend on the town throughout summer, though.
How to Reach Manali by Air: The nearest airport is in Bhuntar (50kms). This is actually a small airport and it rather advisable to avoid air connection to Manali since this is not a very convenient means to reach Manali.
How to Reach Manali by Road: Manali as a popular tourist destination, has a very good network of roads. One can easily reach Manali by road. Many other prominent cities, like:Shimla (240 kms), Chandigarh (272 kms), Delhi (611) are located at convenient distances from Manali.
How to Reach Manali by Rail: The nearest railhead is Chandigarh, which is the capital city of Punjab & Haryana. The city, which is an important rail station in northern India, is linked to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai by rail.
Shopping in Manali: For a discerning shopper, it is impossible to return from a tour without shopping in Manali. The region has a rich tradition of handicrafts and handlooms, which make for pleasant shopping in Manali.
Like all hill regions in India, Manali too has a vast forestland, which produces huge timber. Wood has traditionally remained a favorite item for handicrafts. A variety of utilities and objets d’art would catch your eyes while shopping in Manali.
Another popular item for shopping in Manali is heavily embroidered woolen shawls. Woolen garments are widely available in Manali. You may choose to pick up pullovers, local tweeds and rugs while shopping in Manali.
Tibetan handicrafts find their way in the markets in Manali. Check out curios, antiques and knickknacks for your home interior, gifts or souvenirs. Some firans and inlaid silver jewellery in turquoise and coral may also feature in your shopping cart in Manali.
The mall is the best place for shopping joints in Manali. There are numerous private outlets alongside the government run emporia. Hang out here to engage in a pleasant shopping spree in Manali.
So, pack your bags and break the barriers because this is INDIA. Also, read some of the best blogs like Best Tours of India and Travel to India from the USA. Please also read some of our blogs like Travel Check List for India , Best Indian Snacks and Best Hotels in Rajasthan.
