Get to know the other side of Manali
Most of the Honeymoon couples visit the place during winters as a lot of snowfall can be seen. Moreover, the covering of mountains with a blanket of snow is spectacular to watch. Sports adventurists can have a gala time out here as there are a large number of options available for snow sports like ice skating, Kay keying, sledding, snowboarding and skiing.
Indian film Industry and Manali have a strong connection. There is hardly any director in Bollywood who can ever resist the charm of shooting at this place. The pristine beauty of the place has time and again attracted Directors to portray the beauty of the place onscreen. Even Bollywood actor Sunny Deol was so overwhelmed by the beauty of the place that he eventually decided to set up a film city there. Apart from this, one can get a glimpse of the city in the critically acclaimed film Lamha. In the coming months a film based on the life of on the Olympic women boxing champion MC Mary Com is to be shot here.
As far as accommodation is concerned there are a large number of Luxury hotels in Manali that the tourist can select to reside in. These hotels are fitted with all the modern amenities to make the stay of the tourist a pleasant one. Some of the rooms have got fire place so that during the chilling winters or excessive snowfall they can keep themselves warm. Manali can be reached by train, air and bus. One needs to contact with the travel agency before planning the vacation there.
Manali is not only about visiting the snow clad mountains there are some other attractions of the place which an individual can enjoy like the Hadimba Temple that was built around a cave on the footprints of Goddess Hadimba, the wife of Bhima. Old aged religious minded people can also visit the three Tibetan monasteries that have been recently constructed. The Rohtang Pass is located at a height of 3980 metres above the ground and provides wonderful view of the surroundings. It is believed that Sage Vyas used to meditate at Beas Kund that is located near the Rohtang Pass.
The culture of the place is reflected in its folk songs and traditional dance. The ethnic population of the place usually wear clothes woven out of wool. As far as the food is concerned, it is mainly the milk based recipes that the people of Manali mainly prefer. Apart from that, one can also enjoy the wine made from red rice and barley. Tourist can also have a taste of the Indian and international dishes like Chinese and Italian at the restaurants.
Like its name, the festivals of Manali are also quite popular. Two festivals are held in Manali. One is the winter carnival and the other being spring festival. Winter carnival is one of the most awaited festivals of the year. It is mainly held in the second week of January and continues for five days. Visitors have a gala time out here as they participate in various competitions like folk dance, Indian classical music and street plays. On the other hand Spring Festival or the Basantotsava is held every year from 28th to 30th April. It has been declared as the state festival by the Government of Himachal Pradesh. Many well known artists and cultural groups arrive at this place to perform here.