MANALI Manali or abode of
Manu lies along the east bank of Beas. It is the queen of the hill stations.
It is idyllic, a small town north of Kullu at an altitude of 6000 metres with
winding paths and forest glades. It is known for its famous temple Hadimba
Devi.
Hadimba Devi temple is constructed in pagoda style, displaying the finest
example of wood carving. The sanctuary is constructed on a rocky crevice covered
by a large rock. The temple is characterized by a 24 metre high tower. The
roof consists of four-tiers, the last one tapering into funnel-like ores.
Three layers of roofs are covered with timber tiles, the conical roof is clad
in metal. The unadorned walls of mud are covered with plain stonework, in
contrast with the carved doorway which is modelled on the Gupta and Post -Gupta
era temples.
The carving on the door frames is exquisite and chiselled in local folk style.
The composition which tends to dramatize the aroupina of variousfigures show
the creative genius of the carver. The doorway is decked with the antlers
of Barasinghas , carved horns of Ovis, smaller horns of Gorals, miniature
depiction of a goddess, attendants and foliation. On the beam above the doorway
appear the Navagrahas, female dancers and scenes of Krishna-leela.
Manali, one of Himachal�s main resort towns has been experiencing a major tourism boom in the recent past, especially with the closure of Kashmir as the ultimate holiday destination.
treks further afield, Manali boasts of interesting places to visit such as the old settlement of Manaligarh with its pahari style houses hung with drying herbs, the Dunghri temple and the gompas of the Tibetan settlement. Treks around Manali and in the Kullu Valley include the relatively easy one to Beas Kund, a lake at the head of Solang Nala, from Jagatsukh to Deo Tibbs, Manali to Lahaul via the Hampta Pass and from Nagar to Juri via the Chandrakani Pass and Malana.
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