The cities living under the shadow of the hills Manali and Kullu are the 2 beautiful places. Manali attracts tourists from its natural beauty and Kullu from garment factories. Though these are 2 different cities they are popularly known as KuluManali.
It is good to plan trip to reach Manali in the early morning, if not, it will be very difficult to feel the cold. The cold is like that. To see sunrise in Manali we have to wait till 8:40AM. In Manali we can feel the cold trough out the day. If we touch the cold water, it is confirm that our hand will lose the feel.
In November and December cold will be less. There will no snow on the roads. But in the month of January and February it is not like that. For some people it will be like hell. In this month roads, trading sheds, houses will be covered by snow. People will think twice to come out of the house in the evening. Here trading starts only 1 hour before sunrise.
Everyday Sunset will be too early because of the hills. Though Sunset happens around 3:30 PM, around 6 PM the entire city will be in dark. Some shops will be closed around 7:30 Pm. But the main market of Manali closes at 9:30 PM. We can reach Manali in any vehicle, but to travel in Manali it is good to use TATA SUMO type of vehicle. It will be too difficult to travel in the narrow roads of Manali. The roads of Manali can be compared to the one way roads of Tyre2 cities. But driving is very difficult. The driver should be too brave. One side there is stronger hill and other side deeper view. The simple carelessness of the driver can create big accidents.
Coming to the beauty of Manali, hills look like wearing white sari. During the sunrise, around 8:00 AM, top of the snow covered hills look like wearing golden cap. It will be greatest experience to be there on the top of the hill at this time.
Travelling on the hills through narrow roads to reach snow covered hills takes 1 hour. The distance is only 20 KM. But the vehicle should travel slowly in the down roads, and in up roads. Before reaching snow covered hills, it is better to have special cloths for rent which is available beside the roads. It will be comfortable to enjoy in the snow.
It will be a memorable experience when we go in walk to the tip of the snow covered hill. The place is very suitable trekking. Weather change can be experience when getting down from the vehicle. If too cold is felt, we can have one or two cup of coffee. Of course coffee boys will be around you in these hills. If you think of the necessity of the stick to climb hills it is available, but Rs. 5/- for each. It will be good experience when we climb hills on the horse. In the hills some chats are available like noodles, egg items, coffee, tea, fried rice etc... We think very costly when we purchase ½ litre cool drinks of Rs. 20/- for Rs. 50/-
On the tar roads we can find hard ice pieces. It slips when we put legs on that. Beside the roads we can find the flowing water under the protected thin ice layer. If the ice layer is broken it comes to our hand. There are few stones and trees on the hill surrounded by snow. If we try to walk near the tree, our legs will be under snow till the Knees. If we keep snow on hand for few seconds, the blood circulation will be abnormal, and we cannot move our hands for few seconds.
When coming to the dangerous part of natural beauty, it is beyond our imagination. On the top of the hills, due to sunlight the snow will be harder, if someone slips when walking that, it is not possible to get there dead body. If nobody comes to help when your legs are struck in snow, it is very difficult to take your legs out of snow. Adventurers who will to have the taste of snow, it is not possible to talk for few seconds after having snow. It is waste of drinking hot coffee. It will be difficult to breath for asthma patients. Nose blockage may happen for daily weasers.
We can see army camp, Manali market from the top of the hill. It is very excitement moment when we see sunset from top of the snow covered hill. But till 6: PM human moments is not possible.
The other place in Manali is HIDIMBA temple. It is 1.5 KM far from Manali market. There is a foot print in the temple. People believe that the god of fire has kept his leg on the HIDIMBA hill. The queries thing of this temple is, everyone who is coming out of the temple will be having lighted cigarettes or Hard Desi Cigars in their hand. Having cigarettes is not the culture of this temple, but smoking is not prohibited in this temple.
There is one club house in Manali. It is specially known for tourists. Rope river crossing, Bridge river crossing, Dinosaurs cave, High rope jumping are only a few attraction of club house. The important attraction of club house is we can have a snap by wearing the dress of the Manali culture. Manali is very suitable for young couples.
The shopping lovers can visit the shopping mahal in club house. Here we can get the things from local manufacturers, branded items. And also near club house we can see the branded duplicate items. In the market near the bus stand, we can see the wood carving items, sweaters, dresses, sittings, etc..... there are more sweater shops in Manali. Here most of the shops are attached to shopping complexes. It does not mean that there are no foot path shops. The notable thing in Manali is there is a separate complex for sweaters.
When coming to having food, the south Indian meals are very costly. One south Indian mini meals costs Rs. 150. The north Indian meal consists of only Roti, Daal, fried Rice. The climatic condition of Manali decides the development of Manali culture.
In Manali there are 2 police squares, 2 circles, one bus stand. The govt. Of Himachal Pradesh run busses to Manali in the name of HRTC. There are 2 one way in Manali. First bus to Manali comes at 6:00 AM, and the last is at 11: PM. There is no train facility.
Kullu is 35 KM far from Manali. Here the garment products are very cheap. In the company outlets near the factories we can see the cloths of export quality, export surplus.
From Manali Shimla is 400 KM away. Again the same line of hills, sharp turnings, and one side the flowing river in deeper roots and other side the moving vehicles. Anyhow in the despite mind we have to say Bye Bye to Manali.
Whatever it may be Oaty is for cold, Manali is for snow.
ಬಯಕೆ ತೋಟದ ಹೂವು ನಾನು,
