Manali

Where snow meets spirituality and sport. Where mountains meet museums and monuments. Where valleys meet vibrant artefacts. Where flora meets food and festivities. Manali is a hot pot of steaming ingredients. A symphony of glorious notes. A travel destination that will entice, thrill and woo you. So, buckle up. The frills of the hills await you.

Hadimba Devi Temple is obscured by gorgeous cedar forests and the snow studded hills that watch over ominously. An aura of mysticism envelopes this sacred shrine, built entirely from rock and stone. Dedicated to the demon Goddess Hadimba, who was the wife of Mahabharata’s Bhima, the revered temple attracts pilgrims from all over. It’s 3-tiered pagoda, conical roof and wooden doorway will remind you of Japanese architecture. A sacred tree lies 200 metres south of the temple, which is a manifestation of their son Gatothkach.

Manali is beautiful throughout the year, however certain seasons can prove to be extremely harsh in its weather. For instance, the winters. From December to March, Manali is blanketed in quilts of snow. Although this is a wonderful time for adventure seekers and photographers, for some people it may prove to be unconducive. The gorgeous landscapes can be difficult to traverse, and temperatures drop to minus degrees. The monsoon season paints Manali with lovely showers, making everything lusher. However, there is a risk of landslides. As such, the best time to visit would be in the summer. Temperatures range from 10 to 25 degrees; flowers are in full bloom and the sky is clear.