Manali Himachal Visit in a week

In continuation to my earlier post http://vinodkotiya.blogspot.com/2010/12/planning-manali-tour.html


Here is my actual visit of Manali - Himachal from 22 Dec to 29 Dec 2010.
The journey i started from Uttarkashi (uttarakhand) on my Logan Car. Traveled around 2100km and burnt 125 litres of fuel with an average speed of 38 km per hour. Vehicle average was around 15 km per litre in petrol.  Places i visited were manali, manikaran, rohtang, dharamshala, kullu, bhuntar, baijnath, chamunda devi, kangra, palampur, mcloedganj, jwala mukhi, una, nangal, chandigarh, solang valley

Here is my Itinerary 


Day1 (22.12.2010) : Started from Uttarkashi 5 am early in the morning. Reached dehradun at 10.00 am via chamba > Rishikesh. 200 km.


From dehradun went to Chandigarh via Pwanta Sahib , Nahan , Panchkula Route. (200km) Reached 6 pm Evening.
Stayed in Sector 21.


Day2.(23.12.2010) : From Dehradun moved towards Manali at 10.00am. Via Ropar > Bilaspur > Mandi > kullu. Also Visited Koldam Hydro Power Project of NTPC in Bilaspur.  Reached Manali at 8.00pm. 310km.
Stayed in a Hotel near Mall Road. Costs around Rs.600.00/- due to off season.


Day3 (24.12.2010): city tour visiting Hadimba Devi Temple (2km), Manu Temple (3km), Tibetan Monastery(0.5km) from Mall road. Also done River crossing near way to manu temple. Also their is a new multiplex in manali so watched movie in evening.


Day4 (25.12.2010) : Planned for Rohtang Pass (40km). Started 8.00 am. But first went to solangvalley( 15km) for Paragliding.  It comes in way to Rohtang, road gets diverted from Kothi to solang nala (6km). In dec paragliding is not possible in Rohtang. it costs 1000 Rs per head.. 11.00 am moved towards Rohtang via Gulaba. Due to snow fall their was black ice on road after Marhi. It was a huge Jam of vehicles skidding on the road. Took 3 Hrs to cover last 15 km and reached Rohtang at 4.00pm. 
Saw La haul and Spiti Valley. Done snow mobi , skiing, etc and returned bhuntur 60km from manali till 9.00 pm.
stayed in hotel.


Day5 (26.12.2010) Morning 9.00am started for Manikaran 35km from bhuntur airport. had a bath in hot water spring. At 11.00am moved back towards bhuntur (35km) then Mandi (110km). Visited the famous Baijnath Temple(40km) at 2.00pm then palampur(80km). Reached at 4.00pm. Palampur is famous for Its Tea Garden. 10 km away their is a beautiful gopalpur zoo. Reached dharamshala till 7.00pm and stayed in hotel.


(Alternante Plan: If you have one more additional day then River Rafting may be done at Kullu)


Day6 (27.12.2010) Morning 9.00 am came to McLeod ganj (15km). visited office of Dalai Lama the Tibetan spiritual leader. Also visited another temple and a fall nearby. Move back at 12.00pm and visited Chamunda devi temple (30km) on way to kangra (45km). At kangra visited Vrijeshwari Devi Temple. Then reached To Jwalamukhi Temple 35km at 4.00pm. Moved towards Una then stayed at Nangal at 8.00pm. Visited the nearby beautiful gurdwara at night.


Day7 (28.12.2010): Morning 9.00 am departed for Chandigarh (100km) then dehradun via nahan pawnta sahib.


Day8 (29.12.2010): Reached Uttarkashi via Mussorie , Dhanoulti, Chamba.


Description of Places:


Jwala Devi: The Jwalamukhi temple is perched on a ridge called Kali dhar.The rock in the middle has a crack, through which a gas is emitted, and on lighting it the gas bursts out into a huge flame, The shrine has no idol as such, the emanation of the gas is believed to be a manifestation of the goddess Jwalaji. The nine flames have been named after goddesses - Mahakali, Unpurna, Chandi, Hinglaj, Bindhya Basni, Maha Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ambika and Anji Devi. Jwalamukhi is said to be the spot where the half-burnt tongue of Sati fell, hence the burning flames or 'tongues' of fire. During the Mughal period, a fervent devotee from Delhi, Dhianu Bhagat visited the temple, alongwith several others. Emperor Akbar, his curiousity aroused at such an exodus from his capital, followed Bhagat. He tried to put the flames out but failed. Later Akbar visited the temple with Jodha Bai and presented a solid gold umbrella to the shrine, The King of Nepal presented a magnificent bell


Chamunda Devi: Chamunda Devi Temple is located at a distance of 15 km from Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh. Dedicated to goddesses Durga or Chamunda (Hindu deity).The legend of the temple is related with two demons Chanda and Munda of Shumbh Nishumbh, the notorious demon king. With their wicked mind, they try to harass the goddess Ambika, which turned out in the form of battle between the gods and demons. Chamunda, emerged as Chandika from an eyebrow of goddess Ambika, was assigned the task to eliminate the demons. Chandika destroyed those two demons and presented their heads in front of Ambika. Pleased with the act of Chamunda, the goddess Ambika named the city as Chamunda and since then the temple Chamunda Devi is worshipped with that grace and faith.


Gopalpur Zoo: Lying on Dharamshala-Palampur road, wildlife department of H.P Goverment has established a zoo at Gopalpur spread over 12.5 hectares of thick forest. Animals which can be seen here include Asiatic Lion, Himalayan black bear,(a major attraction with the tourists), Leopard, Sambar, hog deer, barking deer, red fox, angora rabbits and so on.


Vrijeshwari Devi Kangra: located in the old Kangra township, is said to have been built over the charred breasts of Sati. This shrine, once renown for its great wealth, has been plundered relentlessly over the ages. The first of the plunderers was Mahmud of Ghazni, who looted it in 1009. A mosque was built on the ruins and a garrison was left behind. 35 years later, the local king regained its possession. The shrine was repaired and a replica of the idol was enshrined. The temple was filled with gold, silver and diamonds only to be ransacked again in 1360 by Firoz Tughlaq. Later Emperor Akbar visited the shrine with his dewan, Todar Mal and restored it to its former grandeur.


Mcleodganj: this is the place of Dalai Lama at dharamshala in himachal.... here is a collection of buddha's preaches from sanskrit to tibbetan language.. Ths is now the head quarter of all tibbetan activity.. The classic Buddhist dialogue between Mara a jealous daemon and Siddhartha takes place: Mara: "You who go where others dare not; Will you be my God? The architect of my house?" Siddhartha: "Finally I meet the illusion of self; Your evil house will not be built again." Mara: "But you live in me; I am your house." Siddhartha: "O, trickster; phantom of my own ego, you are pure illusion. You, self, do not exist. The earth is my witness to this Supreme Enlightenment." Siddhartha defeated the army of demons,simply through his observance of patience and tolerance.nd self-detachment from illusions. Moral of d story: Demons are inside you.. so dont look in others.. detach urself from materialistic illussion of world ..to kill them.. only if u want.


Baijnath: The Ravana prayed here in tretayug; The Pandvas built it in a day of dwaparyug; and THE ONE is refuting them as exaggeration cause he is in KALIYUG.... ----- Baijnath Shiv Dham : 1 of the 12 jyotirlingams lies on the Pathankot-Chakki-Manali National Highway No. 20, half way between Kangra and Mandi in Himachal Pradesh

• Rohtang Pass, at an altitude of 3979 m (13,050 ft) above sea level, is another adventure tourist site where it can be cold even on a summer day. It is the highest point on the Manali-Keylong road and provides a wide panoramic view of mountains rising far above clouds, which is truly breath taking. Close by is a small lake called Dassaur Lake. Beas Kund, the source of river Beas, is also nearby. In winter, the road of Rothang Pass is closed.

 Beas Kund, an igloo shaped temple, on top has a spring which is the origin of River Beas.

• Hidimba Temple: It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, who was a character in the Indian epic, Mahābhārata. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest at the foot of the Himālayas. The sanctuary is built over a huge rock jutting out of the ground, which was worshiped as an image of the deity. The structure was built in the year 1553.

1.     Driving Direction

1,182 km

		Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand India
	1. Head east
			750 m
	2. Sharp right
			83 m
	3. Sharp left
			70 m
	4. Take the 1st right
			74 m
	5. Take the 1st left toward NH 108
			550 m
	6. Continue straight onto NH 108
			31.3 km
	7. Continue onto NH 94
			43.7 km
	8. Sharp right to stay on NH 94
			67.1 km
	9. Turn right
			1.2 km
	10. Turn right
			300 m
	11. Take the 1st left
			950 m
	12. Turn right
			450 m
	13. Turn left toward NH 72
			18.2 km
	14. Continue straight onto NH 72
			21.2 km
	15. Turn right at Prince Chowk to stay on NH 72
			140 m
	16. Take the 1st left onto Raja Rd
			450 m
	17. Turn left at Paltan Bazar Rd
			59 m
	18. Take the 1st right onto Tilak Rd
			500 m
	19. Turn left
			77 m

187 km – about 3 hours 3 mins

		Dehradun, Uttarakhand India
	20. Head toward Tilak Rd east on Unknown road
			77 m
	21. Turn left at Tilak Rd
			600 m
	22. Turn left at National Highway 72/NH 72
			46.8 km
	23. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto NH 72
			5.3 km
	24. Turn right to stay on NH 72
			36.1 km
	25. Turn left to stay on NH 72
			13.8 km
	26. Turn right to stay on NH 72
			10.5 km
	27. Turn right at State Highway 1/SH 1
			23.0 km
	28. Continue onto NH 73
			4.2 km
	29. Slight left toward NH 22
			10.2 km
	30. Slight right at NH 22
			8.5 km
	31. Continue onto NH 21
			9.3 km
	32. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Himalaya Marg
			800 m
	33. Turn left
			72 m
	34. Take the 2nd right
			210 m

169 km – about 2 hours 52 mins

		Chandigarh India
	35. Head northeast
			400 m
	36. Turn left toward Udyog Path
			400 m
	37. Turn right at the 2nd cross street toward Udyog Path
			73 m
	38. Turn left at Udyog Path
			400 m
	39. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Jan Marg
			1.4 km
	40. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Madhya Marg
			10.9 km
	41. Turn right
			900 m
	42. Take the 1st left
			3.1 km
	43. Turn right toward National Highway 21A/NH 21A
			10.6 km
	44. Turn left at National Highway 21A/NH 21A
			49.6 km
	45. Sharp right at NH 21
			31.5 km
	46. Turn left at NH 21/NH 88
			18.7 km
	47. Turn left to stay on NH 21/NH 88
			7.0 km
	48. Turn left to stay on NH 21
			34.7 km
	49. Turn right to stay on NH 21
			11.8 km
	50. Turn right to stay on NH 21
			140 m
	51. Turn left to stay on NH 21
			2.8 km
	52. Turn left at NH 20
			5.3 km
	53. Turn right at Major District Road 23/MDR 23
			41.2 km
	54. Turn left at NH 21
			4.3 km
	55. Slight right toward Major District Road 29/MDR 29
			750 m
	56. Turn left at Major District Road 29/MDR 29
			800 m
	57. Slight left to stay on Major District Road 29/MDR 29
			48.8 km

285 km – about 4 hours 54 mins

		Manali, Himachal Pradesh India
	58. Head south on Major District Road 29/MDR 29
			48.8 km
	59. Sharp left at Major District Road 30/MDR 30
			33.2 km

81.9 km – about 1 hour 40 mins

		Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh India
	60. Head west on Major District Road 30/MDR 30
			33.2 km
	61. Continue onto Major District Road 29/MDR 29
			800 m
	62. Turn right toward NH 21
			750 m
	63. Slight left at NH 21
			4.3 km
	64. Turn right at Major District Road 23/MDR 23
			41.2 km
	65. Turn right at NH 20
			85.8 km
	66. Turn right at State Highway 17/SH 17
			1.0 km

167 km – about 2 hours 58 mins

		Palampur, Himachal Pradesh India
	67. Head northwest on State Highway 17/SH 17
			1.8 km
	68. Turn right to stay on State Highway 17/SH 17
			5.4 km
	69. Turn right at SH 17
			25.7 km
	70. Turn right at Major District Road 44/MDR 44
			2.4 km
	71. Turn left at Naddi
			82 m

35.4 km – about 32 mins

		McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh India
	72. Head toward Major District Road 44/MDR 44 east on Naddi
			82 m
	73. Turn right at Major District Road 44/MDR 44
			13.1 km
	74. Turn left at Archna Furniture House onto NH 20
			3.8 km
	75. Turn right at NH 88
			4.1 km

21.1 km – about 23 mins

		Kangra, Himachal Pradesh India
	76. Head south on NH 88
			34.5 km

34.5 km – about 32 mins

		Jawalaji Temple Jawala Mukhi, Himachal Pradesh India
	77. Head toward State Highway 22/SH 22 west on NH 88
			210 m
	78. Slight left at State Highway 22/SH 22
			11.0 km
	79. Turn left toward Major District Road 46/MDR 46
			750 m
	80. Continue straight onto Major District Road 46/MDR 46
			6.1 km
	81. Slight left toward State Highway 25/SH 25
			21.7 km
	82. Turn left at State Highway 25/SH 25
			1.3 km
	83. Slight left at NH 70
			4.3 km
	84. Slight right at State Highway 25/SH 25
			33.4 km
	85. Turn left at State Highway 32/SH 32
			1.3 km

80.0 km – about 1 hour 32 mins

		Una, Himachal Pradesh India
	86. Head toward State Highway 25/SH 25 south on State Highway 32/SH 32
			1.3 km
	87. Turn left at State Highway 25/SH 25
			14.3 km
	88. Turn left to stay on State Highway 25/SH 25
			33.2 km
	89. Continue straight onto NH 21
			64.5 km
	90. Turn right at Franco Hotel Road
			230 m
	91. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit
			1.0 km
	92. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit
			550 m
	93. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Udyan Path
			2.7 km
	94. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto NH 21
			850 m
	95. Turn left at Jan Marg
			700 m
	96. Turn right
			850 m
	97. Turn left