This world famous pass, favorite of the trekkers, is about 3978 meters (11934 feet) above sea level. It is about 1 km long and the most convenient route from Manali. It is full of breathtaking views.
River Beas originates near Rohatang Pass from a block of mica-schist. Another remarkable place lies at a height of about 5 to 6 hundred feet above the pass, which is a glacier lake, named Sar Kund or Dashair. Every year, on the 20th day of Hindu month, Bhado (around 4th September), large number of pilgrims visit this lake to take a cold water bath at daybreak with a faith that to take such a bath cures all the ailments.
You can avail of daily bus service from Manali to Rohatang Pass, reservation of which can be done with the help of Tourism Development Officer, at Manali.
Local people popularly call this temple as Vaishno Devi Mandir. It is located 2 km north of Kullu valley on the Kullu-Manali Road. It is founded newly by Swami Sewak Das Ji, but people recognize it as an old temple.
This temple was built by Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu, as a compensation of a wrong committed by him in the 17th century. It is devoted to Lord Raghunath (Lord Ram), the idol of whom was brought from Ayodhya as per the order of the Raja.
This famous and beautiful temple is located 10 km from Kullu at an altitude of 2438 meter (8000 feet). Though it is tough to access, you will feel rewarded after the trek of 6 km due to the scenic beauty of the place. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva.
Shoja is situated at an altitude of 2692 meters (8076 feet) and gives breathtaking view of the entire Kullu, snow-clad mountains, lush valleys, orchards, forests, rivers and streams!
This utterly beautiful place is an open glade on the banks of River Parvati. The lush green grass is separated from the waters by silvery white sand. A Tourist Hut provided by Himachal Tourism stands here.
This was the former capital of Kullu. Twelve generations of Kings ruled here. During the reign of Raja Vishudh Pal, the capital was shifted to Nagger. Jagatsukh lies on the left bank of River Beas and houses some ancient temples, the most significant of which is a Shiva Temple, with Shikhar style. Another important temple is of Goddess Gayatri, which lies near the Shiva Temple.
This was the succeeding capital of Kullu after Jagatsukh, for as long as 1400 years. It has a stone and wood castle of the 16th century, which has been now converted to a hotel run by Himachal Tourism. It houses a gallery too, which displays the paintings of the Russian artist, Nicholas Roerich. A charming temple of Lord Shiva, Gauri-Shankar Temple, lies at the foot of the fort. Nagger also contains two other ancient shrines, viz. Tripura Sundari Devi (Mother Goddess) and Murlidhar (Lord Krishna).
This gurudwara is consecrated because of the stay of His Holiness Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Guru Nanak has blessed this place that one who offers his life for God here will retain everything and that nothing of his will be drowned. There is a famous hot sulphur water spring here, where one can cook meal. Rice tied in a muslin cloth is kept in the boiling water and it gets cooked. There is a pool too beside the gurudwara where the hot water of the spring and cold water of River Parvati is mixed, so as to make it suitable for a nice bath. Besides, this water has medicinal properties of sulphur and many Himalayan shrubs, and cures skin diseases. Nature has bestowed this place with beauty. Transparent crystals, resembling topaz, are found here at some spots.
This ancient temple dating back to 1553, devoted to Goddess Hidimba, the consort of Bhim, one of the Pandavas, has a four-storeyed pagoda and the woodencarving of the temple is amazing.
Around 3 km beyond Manali, this scenic little village is standing on the left bank of River Beas, and is famous for its hot sulphur springs. A neatly walled pool with masonry floor and separate bathrooms for ladies and gents, where the hot and cold waters are piped, are available for a nice hot-water bath at nominal charges. Beside the pool, there is the temple of the ancient sage, Muni Vashishtha, after whom the village has been named. The hot water springs are famous for their medicinal powers.
Temple of the ancient sage, Manu, is located in old Manali, 3 km from the main market, on the banks of River Beas. Manu is believed to be the creator of the world after the Pralaya (the final great flood) and has written the scripture, Manusmruti, which tells the rules of behavior.
About 5 km from Manali, a little up the left bank road near Prini village, this beautiful cave stands. Legend says that this is the place where Arjun, one of the Pandavas, performed penance, as per the advice of ancient sage Vyasa, to achieve a weapon, named Pashupat Astra, from Indra.
This small village lying between Jari and Khiksa is remarkable because it has the oldest democracy of the world. Every villager participates in the administration of the village. They have their own judiciary system, containing Jestang (Upper House) and Kanishtang or Core (Lower House). If these two could not make the decision, the decision is left to the deity, Jamalu Rishi, whose decision is final and binding to all. The villagers of this village speak a different language which resembles aboriginal Mundari and Tibetan, and not Pahari language of Kullu.
Buddhists from Ladakh, Tibet, Spiti, Kinnaur and Lahul come to Manali Gompa, which is a religious place for them, erected in 1960. It is world known for the huge statue of Buddha and wall paintings.
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