Manali: A Gift Of Himalayas

Lisa Roy

Manali: A Gift Of Himalayas

When deciding where to go with a group of friends, Manali will undoubtedly be at the top of the list. It's a dream destination for any teenager who wants to visit a hill station that gives solace and enjoyment with friends and enjoy its natural beauty, which leaves a deep mark on the hearts of those who step into her embrace.

A dream place to be; Image Source- Pixels

Do you know Manali which is now one of India's most popular tourist destinations was once a sleepy village and home to only nomads who hunted for a living in the cracks of hills. There used to be only hunters and Rakshas all over the hills for many years before being transformed into a more civilized way of life.

Wrapped in its rich cultural heritage and old traditions, this place holds an unique story at evey turn. It is also called as a heaven for those nature lovers and adventure seekers who want to experience nature up close.

Situated in the picturesque Beas River valley, Manali is a lovely town and also said to be a gift that Himalayas had offered to the world, which is now attracting tourists from all over India for its cool climate and mesmerizing snow-capped mountains.

Because of the region historical and mythological past, each and every step of Manali will make you feel like you're walking into a fairytale land. Manali will confront you with some incredible historical event at every turn. Disclosing these intresting hidden stories will only make you fall for this place even more.

According to legend, this beautiful was not at all accessible to ordinary humans due to its geographical location.There used to be hunters, shepherds and rakshas every where. The shepherds who used to live in the Kangra Valley came next got inspired by Manali's fertile land and diverse flora, became farmers and established acres of natural farms here. They used to grow berries, apples, vegetables, and cherries, other things. These farmers formed the Naurs, a distinct class. The Naurs are exclusive to Manali and have never left the valley. Some Naur descendants can still be found in Manali today. It has now became one of India’s most popular hill stations, with many amazing cafes, holy temples, and fascinating trekking trails

The legendary Hindu epic Mahabharata has been associated with the iconic Hidimba Devi Temple. Legend has it that Bhimsen killed a powerful and cruel demon named Hadimb and married his sister Hidimba. Bhima's wife, Hadimba, is honored at the Hadimba temple in Manali. According to legend, Hadimba was given the title "goddess" after a long period of meditation and penance in Manali. Hadimba's rock can still be found in the Manali temple, who was a powerful deity. Some other legends say that this is a place where Kunti Putra Arjuna practiced self-discipline in a cave called Arjun-Gupha to obtain the powerful Pashupatastra from Indra.

Apart from nature, Manali and its surroundings are also known for its ancient holy and legendary temples, as well as religiously significant sites. It is not only the home of many gods and goddesses, but also the home of the Sapt Rishis, or the seven most essential sages, one of the Hindu culture's most important pillars.

Following Queen Victoria's proclamation in 1858, the beautiful township was under the rule of greedy Britishers States such as Mandi, Siba, Kangra, and others were initially very loyal to the British people, even supplying them with men and raw materials. Raja Jagat Singh of Manali brought an idol of Lord Raghunath Ji to Manali in the 17th century, which is still the area's supreme deity. However this culture was altered to some extent by the British people's continued visits and settlement.

They visited Manali because of the pleasant weather, ease of access, and the promise of deep rejuvenation. Pleased by the natural beauty, the British began spending more time in the area. They began to develop and advance it by constructing new churches, new roads, houses, and other facilities.

The British were the ones who introduced apple farming by establishing orchards here.The arrival of British rulers in Manali resulted in a subtle shift in the culture of the hill station. They have also introduced the sport of trout fishing to Manali.

According to legend, Manali is thought to be the birthplace of Brahmin law enforcer Manu. For which it is believed that the name of this hill station has been derived from Manu's name. He was so taken with Manali’s raw, natural, untouched beauty while hiking in the Himalayas that he decided to stay there. It was originally called Manu-Alaya, which means "Manu's House." To know how Manu is actually related to Manali we have to go back to the 7th incarnation of Manu.

Manu was asked to look after a fish.He cared for it until it grew into a massive fish that needed to be released back into the sea in its natural habitats. Before leaving Manu, the fish warned him of the world's impending doom and deluge. Manu was advised by the fish to construct a boat to survive the rest of the world if it became submerged in water. Manu then constructed a boat on which many sages, philosophers, animals, flowers, and insects were hosed. He was able to save everything and everyone on his boat. Manu decided to tie the boat to a shore as soon as the water started drying up. This city has been dubbed "the Valley of Gods" because of its religious and spiritual significance.