Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Manali
मनाली
Hill station

Manali
Manali
Coordinates: 32°16′N 77°10′E / 32.27°N 77.17°E / 32.27; 77.17Coordinates: 32°16′N 77°10′E / 32.27°N 77.17°E / 32.27; 77.17
Country India
State Himachal Pradesh
District Kullu
Elevation 2,050 m (6,730 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 8,096[1]
Languages
 • Official Hindi
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 175131
Telephone code +911902
Vehicle registration HP-58

Manali is a hill station nestled in the mountains of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh near the northern end of the Kullu Valley, at an altitude of 2,050 m (6,726 ft) in the Beas River Valley. It is located in the Kullu district, about 270 km (168 mi) north of the state capital, Shimla. The small town, with a population of 8,096,[1] is the beginning of an ancient trade route to Ladakh and from there over the Karakoram Pass on to Yarkand and Khotan in the Tarim Basin. It is a popular tourist destination and serves as the roadway to other northern hill stations.

Geography

Manali is located at 32.2396 N, 77.1887 E, about 40 km (25 mi) north of Kullu town. The town ranges in elevation from 1,800 m (5,900 ft) to 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in the uppermost Old Manali section.

Demographics

Manali is a small town; as of the 2011 census of India, its population was 8,096.[1] In 2001,[2] Manali had an official population of 6,265. Males constituted 64% of the population and females 36%. Manali had an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; male literacy was 80%, and female literacy was 63.9% of the population was under six years of age.

Climate

The climate in Manali is predominantly cold during winters, and moderately cool during summers. The temperatures range from 4 °C (39 °F) to 20 °C (68 °F) over the year. The average temperature during summer is between 04 °C (39 °F) and 15 °C (59 °F), and between −15 °C (5 °F) and 05 °C (41 °F) in the winter.

Climate data for Manali (1971–2000)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 19.5
(67.1)		 23.5
(74.3)		 27.0
(80.6)		 30.0
(86)		 35.0
(95)		 33.2
(91.8)		 32.6
(90.7)		 30.6
(87.1)		 29.2
(84.6)		 30.0
(86)		 25.6
(78.1)		 21.5
(70.7)		 35.0
(95)
Average high °C (°F) 10.6
(51.1)		 11.6
(52.9)		 15.9
(60.6)		 21.9
(71.4)		 24.9
(76.8)		 27.2
(81)		 25.9
(78.6)		 25.4
(77.7)		 25.0
(77)		 22.5
(72.5)		 18.4
(65.1)		 13.7
(56.7)		 20.4
(68.7)
Average low °C (°F) −1.6
(29.1)		 −0.7
(30.7)		 2.3
(36.1)		 5.8
(42.4)		 8.5
(47.3)		 12.4
(54.3)		 15.4
(59.7)		 14.9
(58.8)		 11.2
(52.2)		 5.5
(41.9)		 1.5
(34.7)		 −0.1
(31.8)		 6.5
(43.7)
Record low °C (°F) −11.6
(11.1)		 −11.0
(12.2)		 −6.0
(21.2)		 −1.0
(30.2)		 1.0
(33.8)		 4.4
(39.9)		 7.4
(45.3)		 7.0
(44.6)		 3.0
(37.4)		 −1.5
(29.3)		 −5.0
(23)		 −10.0
(14)		 −11.6
(11.1)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 108.4
(4.268)		 133.5
(5.256)		 202.3
(7.965)		 108.0
(4.252)		 78.9
(3.106)		 88.0
(3.465)		 215.1
(8.469)		 221.7
(8.728)		 100.4
(3.953)		 52.3
(2.059)		 43.0
(1.693)		 59.5
(2.343)		 1,411.1
(55.555)
Average rainy days 6.6 8.2 9.3 6.2 5.7 7.3 14.7 15.0 8.5 3.4 2.8 3.5 91.1
Source: India Meteorological Department (record high and low up to 2010)[3][4]

Monthly precipitation varies between 31 mm (1.2 in) in November to 217 mm (8.5 in) in July. In average, some 45 mm (1.8 in) of precipitation is received during winter and spring months, increasing to some 115 mm (4.5 in) in summer as the monsoon approaches. The average total annual precipitation is 1,363 mm (53.7 in). Snowfall often takes place between November end to early February. The weather in Manali is not stable.

Vashisht Temple, in Vashisht, Manali.
Manali is among top Indian skiing destinations.

History

Manali is named after the lawgiver Manu. The word Manali is regarded as the changed name of "Manu-Alaya" which literally means "the abode of Manu". Legend has it that sage Manu stepped off his ark in Manali to recreate human life after a great flood had deluged the world. Manali is also often referred to as the "Valley of the Gods". The Old Manali village has an ancient temple dedicated to sage Manu.


The British introduced apple trees and trout. The first apple orchard was set up by the British near Patlikuhl, which were earlier not native to Manali. It is said that when apple trees were first planted, the fruits were so plentiful that often branches, unable to bear the weight, would collapse. To this day, apple—along with plum and pear—remain the best source of income for the majority of inhabitants.

Tourism in Manali received a boost after the rise of militancy in Kashmir in the late 1980s. This once quiet village was transformed into a bustling town with many hotels and restaurants.[5]

Transport

Air

The nearest airport Bhuntar Airport (IATA code KUU) is at Bhuntar town, situated on NH21 about 50 km (31 mi) south of Manali and 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Kullu town. The airport is also known as Kullu-Manali airport and has more than a kilometre long runway. Air India and some private airlines have regular flights to the airport. Recently Himalayan Bulls in collaboration with Deccan Charters have started flights on Kullu-Chandigarh-Kullu sector thrice a day http://himalayanbulls.com/ Daily flight service (except Tuesday) has been started by 15May 2013 at Bhunter airport by Air India from Delhi to Bhuntar and vice versa. Chandigarh Airport is the nearest international airport.

Road

Manali can be reached from Delhi by national highway NH 1 up to Ambala and from there NH 22 to Chandigarh and from there by national highway NH21 that passes through Bilaspur, Sundernagar, Mandi and Kullu towns. The road distance from Chandigarh to Manali is 326 km (203 mi), and the total distance from Delhi to Manali is 592 km (368 mi). Buses (including Volvo and Mercedes Benz) on this route are available from all major bus terminals. Besides 12 Non-AC services, HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) runs five daily Volvo and AC buses on Delhi-Manali route and two separate Volvo's by HPTDC (Himachal Tourism Development Corporation).

Rail

Manali is not easily approachable by rail. The nearest broad gauge railheads are at Chandigarh (275 km (171 mi)), Pathankot (325 km (202 mi)) and Kalka (310 km (193 mi)). The nearest narrow gauge railhead is at Joginder Nagar (135 kilometres (84 mi)).

See Bilaspur-Mandi-Leh Railway for the proposed railway line through this area.

Gallery

Further reading

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Manali (Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India) - population statistics, map, and location". Retrieved 2014-08-01.
  2. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  3. ↑ "Manali Climatological Table Period: 1971–2000". India Meteorological Department. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Ever recorded Maximum and minimum temperatures up to 2010" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  5. ↑ Rhymer Rigby (2 Feb 2008). "High in a Himalayan hippy haven". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-08-30.
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External links

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