Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Manali is named after the Sanatan Hindu lawgiver Manu. The name Manali is regarded as the derivative of 'Manu-Alaya' which means 'the abode of Manu'. Legend has it that sage Manu stepped off his ark in Manali to recreate human life after a great flood had deluged the world. Manali lies in the North of Kullu Valley. The valley is often referred to as the 'Valley of the Gods'. Old Manali village has an ancient temple dedicated to sage Manu.

The British introduced apple trees in the area. The first apple orchard was set up by the British near Patlikuhal, before this, no Apple trees grew in the area. To this day, apples— along with plum and pear— remain the best source of income for the majority of inhabitants. Both Rainbow and Brown Trout were also introduced into the rivers and streams of the area by the colonizers.

With the increase in disposable incomes and somewhat owing to the rise of disturbances in Kashmir in the late 1980s, Manali witnessed a surge in tourist traffic. This once quiet village was transformed into a bustling town with numerous homestays as well as the occasional boutique hotel. During the warmer summer months, cafes and restaurants can be seen doing brisk business.

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.

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%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; male literacy was 80%, and female literacy was 63.9%. 9.5% of the population was under six years of age.[2] During the summer months, there is a marked surge in the transients as many of them are employed in the hospitality businesses.

Snowfall in Manali

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.

• Tourism in Himachal Pradesh
• List of hill stations in India
• Mall Road, Manali

• 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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Manali.

Himachal Tourism Official Govt Website

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Manali.