Manali
Town
Clockwise from top: Manali aerial view, Dhauladhar view, Mountains in Manali, Manali after snowfall, River in Manali, Mall road
Map showing the location of Manali within Himachal Pradesh and India
Map showing the location of Manali within Himachal Pradesh and India
Manali
Map showing the location of Manali within Himachal Pradesh and India
Map showing the location of Manali within Himachal Pradesh and India
Manali
Coordinates: 32°14′35″N 77°11′21″E / 32.243177°N 77.189246°E / 32.243177; 77.189246
Country India
StateHimachal Pradesh
DistrictKullu
Named afterManu
Elevation
2,050 m (6,730 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
8,096[1]
 • Rank22 (state)
Languages
 • OfficialHindi, Pahadi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
175131
Telephone code+911902
Vehicle registrationHP-58

Manali (Hindi: manālī, pronounced [mənaːliː]) is a resort town, near Kullu town in Kullu district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.[2] It is situated in the northern end of the Kullu Valley, formed by the Beas River. The town is located in the Kullu district, approximately 270 kilometres (170 mi) north of the state capital of Shimla and 544 kilometres (338 mi) northeast of the national capital of New Delhi. Manali is a popular tourist destination in India and serves as the gateway to the Lahaul and Spiti district as well as the city of Leh in Ladakh.[3]

Manali is the beginning of an ancient trade route through Lahaul (H.P.) and Ladakh, over the Karakoram Pass and onto Yarkand and Hotan in the Tarim Basin of China.

As per the 2011 Census of India, Manali Municipal Council had a population of 8,096, comprising 4,717 males and 3,379 females. Updated estimates suggest the town’s population is approximately 11,700 as of 2025.[4]

During the summer 2025 monsoon season, heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides in Mandi district, disrupting the Chandigarh–Manali highway near 4 Mile, Pandoh, and Thalot Tunnel. The route was blocked for up to 24 hours, stranding hundreds of vehicles and causing significant travel delays.[5] Statewide, over 400 roads were blocked; Mandi alone reported 232 blocked roads and 71 in Kullu district, including Manali-bound routes[6]. The disasters resulted in 137 deaths, with severe damage to roads, water and power

infrastructure.[7]

Due to the narrow Himalayan terrain and recent landslides, traffic congestion along the Chandigarh–Manali National Highway (NH‑21) has worsened significantly. Even outside disaster periods, gridlock is common during peak tourist season, leading to long delays and often only one-way traffic management on affected stretches.[8]

Mythology

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Manali is named after Manu, the progenitor of humanity in Hinduism. The name Manali is regarded as the derivative of Manu-Alaya (transl. 'the abode of Manu').[9] In Hindu cosmology, Manu is believed to have stepped off his ark in Manali to recreate human life after a great flood had deluged the world at the end of an cyclic age. The Kullu Valley in which Manali is situated is often referred to as the "Valley of the Gods". An old village in the town has an ancient temple dedicated to the sage Manu.[10]

Geography

[edit]
Himalayan mountains in Manali, Himachal Pradesh.

Manali is located at 32.2396 N, 77.1887 E, about 547 km (340 mi) north of New Delhi.

Climate

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Manali features a subtropical highland climate (Cfb) with warm summers, relatively cold winters, and a high diurnal temperature variation. The temperatures range from −7 °C (19 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F) over the year with the hottest day crossing 30 °C (86 °F) and the coldest day going below −7 °C (19 °F). The average temperature during summer is between 10 °C (50 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F), and between −7 °C (19 °F) to 15 °C (59 °F) in the winter.

Monthly precipitation varies between 31 mm (1.2 in) in November and 217 mm (8.5 in) in July. On average, some 45 mm (1.8 in) of precipitation is received during winter and spring months, increasing to some 115 mm (4.5 in) in summer as the monsoon approaches. The average total annual precipitation is 1,363 mm (53.7 in). Manali experiences snowfall predominantly between December and the beginning of March.

Manali in May 2022
Snowfall in Manali
View of Himalayas from Manali
Climate data for Manali, Himachal Pradesh (1991–2020, extremes 1968–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 19.5
(67.1) 		23.5
(74.3) 		27.0
(80.6) 		30.0
(86.0) 		35.0
(95.0) 		33.2
(91.8) 		32.6
(90.7) 		30.6
(87.1) 		29.2
(84.6) 		30.0
(86.0) 		25.6
(78.1) 		21.5
(70.7) 		35.0
(95.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 10.5
(50.9) 		12.0
(53.6) 		17.1
(62.8) 		21.4
(70.5) 		24.9
(76.8) 		26.4
(79.5) 		25.7
(78.3) 		25.3
(77.5) 		24.2
(75.6) 		21.6
(70.9) 		17.3
(63.1) 		13.5
(56.3) 		20.2
(68.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −1.1
(30.0) 		0.3
(32.5) 		3.3
(37.9) 		6.4
(43.5) 		9.3
(48.7) 		13.0
(55.4) 		16.0
(60.8) 		16.1
(61.0) 		12.2
(54.0) 		6.3
(43.3) 		2.6
(36.7) 		0.3
(32.5) 		7.2
(45.0)
Record low °C (°F) −11.6
(11.1) 		−11.0
(12.2) 		−6.0
(21.2) 		−1.0
(30.2) 		1.0
(33.8) 		4.4
(39.9) 		7.4
(45.3) 		7.0
(44.6) 		3.0
(37.4) 		−1.5
(29.3) 		−5.0
(23.0) 		−10.0
(14.0) 		−11.6
(11.1)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 90.0
(3.54) 		113.7
(4.48) 		154.9
(6.10) 		87.7
(3.45) 		66.4
(2.61) 		89.9
(3.54) 		201.5
(7.93) 		217.0
(8.54) 		123.4
(4.86) 		24.8
(0.98) 		31.3
(1.23) 		38.7
(1.52) 		1,239.3
(48.79)
Average rainy days 5.6 6.7 8.4 6.0 6.2 7.9 12.9 14.9 8.1 1.9 1.8 2.2 82.6
Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) 62 60 52 58 63 66 75 76 76 69 63 62 65
Source: India Meteorological Department[11][12][13]

Demographics

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Manali has grown from a trading village to a small town. As of the 2011 census of India, its population was 8,096. In 2001, Manali had an official population of 6,265. Males constituted 64% of the population and females 36%. Manali had an average literacy rate of 74%, male literacy was 80%, and female literacy was 63.9%. 9.5% of the population was under six years of age.[14]

Transport

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Road

[edit]
Road near Manali in Himachal Pradesh

Manali can be reached from Delhi by national highway NH 1 up to Ambala and from there NH 22 to Chandigarh and from there by national highway NH21 that passes through Bilaspur, Sundernagar, Mandi and Kullu towns. The road distance from Chandigarh to Manali is 282 km (175 mi), and the total distance from Delhi to Manali is 550 km (340 mi). Bus services are available from HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation), HPTDC (Himachal Tourism Development Corporation), and private operators.

Air

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The nearest airport Kullu–Manali Airport (IATA code KUU) is at Bhuntar town in Kullu. The airport is also known as Kullu-Manali airport and has more than a kilometer-long runway. Air India has regular flights to the airport from New Delhi.

Helicopter Service

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Pawan Hans, the Government charter agency, provides helicopter-taxi service connecting Shimla to Chandigarh, Kullu, Kangra and Dharamshala.[15]

Rail

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Bilaspur will a station on the under-costruction Bhanupli–Leh line.[16] There is no close railhead available close to Manali. The nearest broad gauge railheads are at Una 250 km (155 mi) away, Kiratpur Sahib 268 km (167 mi), Kalka (275 km (171 mi)), Chandigarh (310 km (193 mi)), and Pathankot (325 km (202 mi)). The nearest narrow gauge railhead is at Joginder Nagar (147 kilometres (91 mi)). The Kalka–Shimla Railway is a nostalgic narrow-gauge route culminating at the state capital to travel by road to Manali.

Attractions

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  • Mall Road - Main shopping street of Manali.
  • Hadimba Temple – A unique wooden shrine dedicated to Hidimbi, wife of Bhima, noted for its pagoda-style architecture.[17]
  • Ghatotkacha Temple[18] – Located close to Hadimba, dedicated to Ghatotkacha, son of Bhima and Hadimba Devi.
  • Vashisht Temple – Situated in Vashisht village, known for its sulphurous hot springs and temples dedicated to Lord Vashisht, Shiva, and Rama.[19]
  • Manu Temple[20] – An ancient shrine dedicated to Maharishi Manu, believed to be the creator of mankind in Hindu tradition.[21]
  • Rohtang Pass – Approximately 51 km from Manali, at an altitude of 3979m (13,050 ft) above sea level; connects Kullu Valley with Lahaul and Spiti, and is a popular scenic destination.
  • Bara Lacha Pass – Another high mountain pass in the region, providing access to Zanskar and Ladakh, often included in trekking circuits.
  • Atal Tunnel - Runs under Rohtang Pass constructed on the Manali - Leh Highway. Longest Highway Tunnel at 10,000 feet.[22]
  • Solang Valley - Vast green slopes and a ski resort 14 Km north of Manali. Popularly known as Snow Point.
  • Hamta Pass - Scenic pass between Manali and Chandra Valley.

Environmental concerns

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Manali has witnessed a flurry of activity related to hydroelectric power and tourism. Unplanned and rampant construction has led to severe depletion of forests and pollution of river bodies, along with garbage being disposed of on the side of the mountains. There has been a loss of habitat to various species of fauna, not limited to the Himalayan monal, incidentally the state bird of Uttarakhand.[23]

See also

[edit]

Further reading

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  • Verma, V. 1996. Gadd of Dhauladhar: A Transhumant Tribe of the Himalayas. Indus Publishing Co., New Delhi.
  • Handa, O. C. 1996. Buddhist Monasteries in Himachal Pradesh. ISBN 978-8185182032.
  • Penelope Chetwode 1972, 1989 "Kulu: The End of the Habitable World" (ISBN 9788185113203) Time Books International

References

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  1. ^ "Manali (Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India) - population statistics, map, and location". Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  2. ^ "Wanderlust the mountains are calling head over to Manali, Himachal Pradesh". theindianexpress.com.
  3. ^ Paper also Presented at the International Seminar on Disasters, Environment and Development, 9–12 December 1994, New Delhi, India –by James S. Gardner (1995). Tourism and Risk from Natural Hazards: Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India. Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba.
  4. ^ "Manali Municipal Council City Population Census 2011-2025 | Himachal Pradesh". www.census2011.co.in. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  5. ^ "Massive landslide in Mandi halts traffic on Chandigarh-Manali highway". The Tribune. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  6. ^ India Today (1 July 2025). Heavy Rainfall Triggers Landslides On Kullu-Manali-Chandigarh Highway, Disruptaing Traffic. Retrieved 26 July 2025 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ "Himachal hit hard: Over 400 roads blocked, power down, and water crisis as rains wreak havoc". The Economic Times. 23 July 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  8. ^ "Rain throws normal life out of gear in Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh-Manali highway disrupted". The Times of India. 1 July 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  9. ^ "History | District Kullu | India". Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  10. ^ "Manali Tourism, Himachal Pradesh". India Thrills. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  11. ^ "Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  12. ^ "Station: Manali Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 469–470. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  13. ^ "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M69. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  14. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages, and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  15. ^ "Shimla-Chandigarh helicopter service now operating six days a week". Himachal Tourism Official Website. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  16. ^ India’s costliest rail line will change how we view travel, theweek.in, 13 Apr 2025.
  17. ^ "Hidimba Temple Manali - Ancient sanctuary in the mountains". Incredible India. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  18. ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (13 July 2017). "Temples dedicated to demoness Hidimbi Devi and her son Ghatothkach in Manali, Himachal Pradesh". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  19. ^ "Why Vashisht Temple is a must-visit spiritual gem in Manali, Himachal Pradesh". The Times of India. 19 February 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  20. ^ "Manu Temple, Manali - Tripadvisor". Tripadvisor. Archived from the original on 7 November 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  21. ^ "Manu Temple Old Manali (Timings, History, Entry Fee, Images, Aarti, Location & Phone) - Manali Tourism". manalitourism.co.in. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  22. ^ "Longest Tunnel at 10,000 Feet".
  23. ^ Azad, Shivani (18 November 2019). "Uttarakhand's state bird monal to be conserved with help from Himachal". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
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