Manali, Himachal Pradesh: Difference between revisions
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'''Manali''' ({{lang-hi|मनाली}}) |
'''Manali''' ({{lang-hi|मनाली}}) is a hill station nestled in the mountains of the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Himachal Pradesh]] near the northern end of the [[Kullu]] Valley, at an altitude of {{convert|2050|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} in the [[Beas River]] [[Valley]]. It is located in the [[Kullu]] district, about {{convert|270|km|abbr=on|0}} north of the state capital, [[Shimla]]. The small town is the beginning of an ancient [[trade route]] to [[Ladakh]] and from there over the [[Karakoram Pass]] on to [[Yarkant County|Yarkand]] and [[Khotan]] in the [[Tarim Basin]]. It has become a tourist attraction in recent years. |
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Manali with a population of approx. 30,000 is administratively a part of the [[Kullu district]]. The small town is the beginning of an ancient [[trade route]] to [[Ladakh]] and from there over the [[Karakoram Pass]] on to [[Yarkant County|Yarkand]] and [[Khotan]] in the [[Tarim Basin]]. |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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Revision as of 01:47, 2 August 2014
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2013) |
Manali | |
|---|---|
Hill station | |
| Manali Manali | |
| Country | India |
| State | Himachal Pradesh |
| District | Kullu |
| Elevation | 2,050 m (6,730 ft) |
| Population (2005) | |
| • Total | 17,786 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 175131 |
| Telephone code | +911902 |
Manali (Hindi: मनाली) is a hill station nestled in the mountains of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh near the northern end of the Kullu Valley, at an altitude of 2,050 m (6,726 ft) in the Beas River Valley. It is located in the Kullu district, about 270 km (168 mi) north of the state capital, Shimla. The small town is the beginning of an ancient trade route to Ladakh and from there over the Karakoram Pass on to Yarkand and Khotan in the Tarim Basin. It has become a tourist attraction in recent years.
Geography
Manali is located at 32.2396 N, 77.1887 E, about 40 km (25 mi) north of Kullu town. The town ranges in elevation from 1,800 m (5,900 ft) to 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in the uppermost "Old Manali" section.
Demographics
Manali is a small town with a population originating from around India. As of 2001[update] India census,[1] 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% of the population was under six years of age.
Climate
The climate in Manali is predominantly cold during winters, and moderately cool during summers. The temperatures range from 4 °C (39 °F) to 20 °C (68 °F) over the year. The average temperature during summer is between 04 °C (39 °F) and 15 °C (59 °F), and between −15 °C (5 °F) and 05 °C (41 °F) in the winter.
Monthly precipitation varies between 31 mm (1.2 in) in November to 217 mm (8.5 in) in July. In 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). Snowfall often takes place between November end to early February. The weather in manali is not stable.
Etymology
Manali is named after the Hindu lawgiver Manu. The word Manali is regarded as the changed name of "Manu-Alaya" which literally 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 is also often referred to as the "Valley of the Gods". The Old Manali village has an ancient temple dedicated to sage Manu.
History
In ancient times, the valley was sparsely populated by nomadic hunters known as 'rakshas'. The next arrivals were the shepherds who arrived from the Kangra Valley and settled to take up agriculture. Some of the earliest inhabitants of the region are the 'naur' or 'nar', which is a caste unique to the Kullu valley. Only a few naur families are known to exist now. A naur family in the village Soyal near Haripur on the west bank of Manali was famous for the vast land they owned and their practice of having 'rakshas' as their labourers.
The British introduced apple trees and trout, The first apple orchard was set up by Britishers near patlikulh which were earlier not native to Manali flora and fauna. It is said that when apple trees were first planted the fruits were so plentiful that often branches, unable to bear the weight, would collapse. To this day, apple—along with plum and pear—remains the best source of income for the majority of its inhabitants.
Tourism in Manali received a boost after the rise of militancy in Kashmir in the late 1980s. This once quiet village was transformed into a bustling town with many hotels and restaurants.[2]
Transport
Air
The nearest airport (IATA code KUU) is at Bhuntar town, situated on NH21 about 50 km (31 mi) south of Manali and 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Kullu town. The airport is also known as Kullu-Manali airport and has more than a kilometre long runway. Indian Airlines and some private airlines have regular flights to the airport. Recently Himalayan Bulls in collaboration with Deccan Charters have started flights on Kullu-Chandigarh-Kullu sector thrice a day http://himalayanbulls.com/ Daily flight service( except Tuesday)has been started by 15May 2013 at Bhunter airport by Air India from Delhi to Bhunter and vice-versa. Chandigarh airport is the nearest international airport.
Road
Manali can be reached from Delhi by national highway NH 1 up to Chandigarh and from there by national highway NH21 that passes through Bilaspur, Sundernagar, Mandi and Kullu towns. The road distance from Delhi to Chandigarh is 260 km and from Chandigarh to Manali is 273 km. The total distance from Delhi to Manali thus is 533 km (331 mi). Buses ply heavily on this route and are are available from all major bus terminals
Rail
Manali is not easily approachable by rail. The nearest broad gauge railheads are at Chandigarh (275 km (171 mi)), Pathankot (325 km (202 mi)) and Kalka (310 km (193 mi)). The nearest narrow gauge railhead is at Joginder Nagar (135 kilometres (84 mi)).
See Bilaspur-Mandi-Leh Railway for the proposed railway line through this area.
Gallery
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Further reading
- Verma, V. 1996. Gadd of Dhauladhar: A Transhumant Tribe of the Himalayas. Indus Publishing Co., New Delhi.
- Handa, O. C. 1987. Buddhist Monasteries in Himachel Pradesh. -03-5.
References
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ^ Rhymer Rigby (2 Feb 2008). "High in a Himalayan hippy haven". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-08-30.
External links
- Manali Information
- Kullu Manali Hot Spot hub