Manali is a beautiful resort town nestled in the mountains of the North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Lofty mountains, gushing streams, thick forests, green pastures, apple orchards, ancient temples and beautiful monasteries give Manali a fairy tale like setting.
People visit Manali as the sole destination, in combination with Shimla or as a stopover on the way to other places like Dharamshala, Lahaul, Spiti or Leh.
Whether you are in Manali for a day or a week, you must visit the local sightseeing spots of this charming hill station. Here’s a list of best places to visit & top things to do in Manali in a day.
Top Things To Do In Manali In A Day
Hidimba Devi Temple
It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimba Devi, wife of Bhima & mother of Gatotkach. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest called Dhungiri Van Vihar at the foot of the Himalayas.
Its exteriors are adorned with sacrificial remains of animals, includings goats, buffaloes and antelopes. Animal sacrifice is still a norm at the temple, especially when a new ruler is coronated.
Vashisht Temple & Hot Spring
Vashisht village is famous for its sulphurous hot water springs and Vashisht temple, built just next to the springs. This beautiful village located across the Beas River provides a beautiful view of the surrounding hills & valleys.
Vashisht Temple is dedicated to Rishi Vashisht, one of the Saptarishis of the Hindus & also the Kula guru of Lord Ram & Laxman.
According to legend, the saddened Rishi Vashisht after knowing that his children were killed by Vishwamitra tried to commit suicide, but the river refused to kill him.
The water from the hot spring is believed to have great healing powers, which can cure many skin diseases and other infections.
Vashisht village is lined with beautiful cafes, street food joints & local shops selling winter clothes and is a true backpacker’s paradise.
Club House
The Club House in Manali is an amusement centre with indoor/outdoor games & adventure activities. It is set up on the banks of Manalsu Nalla, a branch of the beautiful Beas river.
The best thing to do here is sit by the riverside and enjoy the beauty of nature. There’s a small zipline here which we really enjoyed, even more so because it was completely empty when we went.
Club House Entry Fee: Rs. 50 per head
Cost of Ziplining At Club House: Rs. 150 per head
Himalayan Nyinmapa Buddhist Monastery
Himalayan Nyinmapa Gompa is a Buddhist monastery located near the Mall in Manali. It is one of the most famous monasteries situated in north India.
Although it is located close to the hustle bustle of the Mall Road, you’ll feel a sense of peace and calm just after entering the monastery premises.
Manu Temple
The shrine of Manu Temple is dedicated to Sage Manu, who according to Hindu mythology, is acknowledged as the first human and the creator of human race on earth.
According to legend, the Matsya avatar of Lord Vishnu informed King Manu of an all-destructive deluge that will soon flood the entire world. King Manu built a boat big enough to house his family, the Saptarishis, the Vedas, 9 kinds of seeds and animals and birds to repopulate the earth once the deluge was over. The boat was perched on top of the Malaya Mountains during the deluge. It is believed that post the deluge, King Manu stepped on earth and meditated at the very spot where Manu Temple is situated. King Manu later on came to be known as Sage Manu who is also ascribed to the Manusmriti, which form the basis of Hinduism.
Some legends rely heavily on the fact that the present-day temple is the exact place where sage Manu would meditate regularly. Infact the name Manali has been derived from the term ‘Manu-Alaya’ meaning the abode of Manu.
Manu Temple Road is lined with beautiful cafes and local shops selling colourful winter wear.
Sip a cup of hot chocolate sitting by the riverside at The Lazy Dog after the tiring uphill walk to Manu Temple.
Shop & Eat At The Mall Road
Mall Road, often acknowledged as the heart of Manali, is popular for street shopping and is always bustling with tourists & locals. From shawls, caps, sweaters & jackets to handicrafts & souvenirs, the Mall Road is your one stop shop for everything.
Eat at a cafe or restaurant in Mall Road or walk a few minutes to Johnson’s Cafe and try their trout.
Camera Gear Used For Photography:
- Canon EOS 77D 24.2MP Digital SLR Camera
- Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Lens for Canon DSLR Camera
- Canon EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens for Canon DSLR Camera
Check out my ‘What’s In My Camera Bag‘ blog post for more details.
Planning Guide
How To Reach Manali
The most popular way to reach Manali is by flying to Delhi or Chandigarh and taking a car or bus from there.
Read my Manali Travel Guide for different ways and routes to reach Manali.
Where To Stay In Manali
We stayed at Hotel The Conifer in the Log Huts Area in Old Manali and would highly recommend it.
Check more hotels in Manali here.
Visiting other parts of Himachal Pradesh as well? Check out Booking.com for great hotel deals or rent an Airbnb for longer stays (and get an amazing discount on your first trip – for new sign-ups only).
Also Read: 5 Days In Himachal Pradesh – Complete Travel Guide For First Time Visitors
I really hope you enjoyed reading this article and you’ll find the information useful whenever you plan to visit Manali.
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Don’t forget to check out my YouTube video from Manali!
Happy Travelling! 🙂
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