TOP 7 PICNIC SPOTS IN MANALI
The hill town Manali is undoubtedly one of the best and most visited tourist destinations in India. There are many exploring picnic spots in Manali that features sky touching deodar trees, olden cave temple, glaciers, waterfalls and many more. If you are a solo traveler who came in search of inner peace or group traveler with adventure enthusiast friends or honey moon couple, Manali is the best place to chill out and to explore. You can find many luxurious hotels with view to take care of your accommodation.
Hadimba Temple
Hadimba Temple, also known as Dungri Temple located around 2 km from Manali town. People there believe that it is the image of Goddess Hidimba. The forest surrounding the temple is impressively dense. In many places, the sunlight hits the ground and attracts tourists. Built by Maharaja Bahadur Singh in 1553, you will find impressive artwork on the walls. The exterior of the temple made with 24m high tower, designed with three layers of wood. If you walk around and observe the entire architecture of the temple, you will see the main stone temple. That rock wasn’t just a rock. People believe that Hidimba meditated here. In addition to being fun to encourage you to explore. Even the small details will make you fall in love with this building.
Hidimbi was born in a Rakshasa family. She had to live in this place with her brother. But she has one wish that the man who marries her should be strong enough to defeat Hidamba, her brother. But when Bhima came to this place during the exile of the Pandavas, he had to fight with Hidambi’s brother. Bhima won the battle and married Hidimbi. Thus their marriage gave birth to a son named Ghatotkacha. This is the history of Hadimba Devi Temple which makes one of the best picnic spots in Manali.
Hampta Pass
Hamta Pass is a corridor between the Chandra Valley in Lahaul in the Himalayas and the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, India. From there the shepherds who live downstream use this pass for the barren high grasslands of the Lahaul desert in summer. The pass has hanging glaciers, vertical rock walls, beautiful waterfalls, pinewoods, and small lakes, as well as Mount Dio Tibba and 6000m high peaks. Wildflowers and herbs found there grow between 3000 meters to 3800 meters.
The Hamta Pass is a beautiful trek from the Kullu Manali valley to the rugged Rastra Chandra valley in Lahaul. This journey brings together different places and cultures that are unique to it. The route includes rocky paths, misty rivers, waterfalls, and the beautiful Emerald Lake “Chandrathala” which looks like a crescent moon. It takes approximately 3 to 4 days to complete this trek and thus making one of the adventurous picnic spots in Manali. You can explore the spectacular combination of three passes: Hampta Pass, Rohtang Pass, and Spiti will give you a good experience that you will remember forever.
Van Vihar
Van Vihar is the most frequently visited picnic spots in Manali is a municipal garden which is located in front of Tibetan market on Mall Road, Manali. This park is populating with sky touching deodar trees which makes that area perfect place to spend time with your loved ones. The main attraction of the park is beautifully constructed man-made small lake, which provides boating facility. Tourist can enjoy boating facility in the lake. Van Vihar is perfect ideal place for picnic with family and friends with beautiful lake and fresh breeze of deodar trees.
Visiting this park at evening will give you best experience of enjoying beautiful view of sunset. Summer and winter is the best time to visit van vihar. During summer the temperature will be ranging from 10°C to 25 °C. This is the time you can explore the park and enjoy the boating and those breezy fresh airs. In winter you can witness stunning and beautiful snow covered park that gives you enthralling sight. But there is an frozen lake at this time so you cannot go boating
Kothi - Manali
Kothi is a beautiful village near Manali that quickly turned into a major tourist attraction and an awe-inspiring destination. Located at the foothills of Rohtang Pass, close to Manali, and at an altitude of 2600 meters above sea level. The village also has a temple of God Shuwang Chandika. This wonderful village offers a magnificent view of snow-capped mountains and glaciers and of the Beas River that flows through a very deep and narrow gorge. It is a magnificent location have been in many Bollywood and Hollywood movies. Famous writers and painters have visited dazzling sights to soak themselves in the magic of nature. Manali is popular for aero sports junkies and you can get the chance for paragliding in Kothi. and near Rohtang pass and Solang Valley, Kothi is also one of the adventurous picnic spots in Manali.
Solan Valley
Solan valley is one of the essential destinations in the itinerary of the Manali trip. It is 14 km to the Northwest of the main town of Manali and is situated on the way to Rohtang. It’s very good for adventure enthusiasts. From parachuting to paragliding, and horse riding to driving mini-open jeeps are available for tourists of all age groups. During winter Skiing is the popular sport in Solan Valley because it is completely covered with snow. There are training institutes and also trainers located in the valley who guide and supervise beginners. One can also enjoy the slopes of the valley by playing the fun sport of Zorbing. Solan is one of the most vibrant and enjoyable picnic spots in Manali and there is no way one can possibly miss this amazing valley, while here.
Jana Waterfalls
It is a 30 feet high waterfall located near Manali in a village called Jana. One has to trek to the waterfalls through snow capped mountains covered with pine and deodar trees. The climb is easier compared to many others in regions and completed by beginner-level hikers too.
The winter season is the best time to visit Jana falls. It is better to avoid visiting this waterfall during monsoons. The temperature is so low that trek to this fall becomes very challenging and there are chances of landslides also.
Arjun Gufa
Arjun Gufa is a cave and is one of the most beautiful picnic spots in Manali. Located very close to Prini village. The climb up to the cave is very adventurous with the natural landscape surrounding it so beautifully that it leaves one mesmerized. With no light entering after a point, One has to explore their way into the cave through the darkness using flashlights because after a point there is no light.
The passage inside the cave is very uneven and it nearly takes about 45 minutes to explore and it is a very thrilling experience. It’s believed in our Mythology that Arjun meditated for years in the cave and Lord Shiva was very pleased and blessed him with Pashupatra Astra. The walk through the caves surrounded by tall pine trees is a unique experience in itself. Many tourists visit Arjun Gufa to check if the legend is true and some visit just for the fun of it.