The beauty of Manali is not just limited to its scenic valleys or tourist places – it lies in its culture too. Located in Kullu Valley, Manali is one of the best places to visit in Himachal with some of the best Temples to explore. This enchanting hill station of Himachal has been believed to be the abode of spirituality for many centuries it is known as Valley of Gods. A Perfect mix of everything makes it a perfect place to explore with everyone and every age group. If you are willing to explore this spiritual divine side of Manali, here are some of the most famous temples in Manali to explore on your next trip.
Top 8 Temples in Manali to Explore
For a perfect spiritual trip here are some of the temples to explore while you are on your Manali trip:
Manu Temple
Temple timings: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Old Manali
Manali bus stand to Manu temple distance: 2.8 km
You must have heard of this temple, a place full of mythology. This temple in Manali is dedicated to the first man on earth and the author of Manusmriti, Sage Manu. It is located in Old Manali and offers the most amazing views of the valley. The history of Manu Temple is a story of the time when Manu was the first king to rule Earth after saving mankind from the great flood. It is also believed that King Manu meditated at the very spot where Manu Rishi Temple is situated. Reaching this Temple is quite simple, it is very close to the Manali bus stand so you can simply trek.
Bijli Mahadev Temple
Temple timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Location: Kullu
Manali bus stand to Bijli Mahadev distance: 62 km
This temple is slightly far from Manali but is one of the most famous places to visit in Manali. Bijli Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple in Kashawri in Kullu Valley, built in the typical Pahari style. One of the most unique things about this place derives its name from lightning or Bijli, this temple is struck by lightning every year.
It is also said that lightning strikes the Shiva Lingam which breaks into pieces. Then the pieces of the lingam are put together by the priests using several things like cereals, pulse flour, and butter as adhesive to wrap the broken lingam. But surprisingly, it returns to its original form within a few days. To reach this temple, you can try the Bijli Mahadev Trek or go from Manali to Kullu which is 40 km away and then reach the temple.
Hidimba Devi Temple
Temple timings: 8:00 AM to 6: 00 PM
Location: Manali
Manali Mall road to Hadimba temple: 2 km
You definitely know this temple from Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, one of the most famous temples in Manali. Also known as Dhungiri temple, it is dedicated to Goddess Hidimba, the wife of Bhima from the Mahabharata. This is a 16th-century wooden temple surrounded by cedar forests and is an amazing architecture with carved wooden walls and a unique pagoda-style roof. This temple in Manali attracts thousands of devotees, especially during the annual fair in May. It is located very close to Manali which makes it very easy to reach here.
Gauri Shankar Temple
Temple timings: 8:00 AM to 6: 00 PM
Location: Naggar Castle Rd, Naggar
Manali to Gauri Shankar temple distance: 22km
Gauri Shankar Temple in Manali is located in Village Naggar and is said to be one of the oldest temples in Manali and India. This might not be the most famous temple but is the last historical monument of the Gurjara-Pratihara tradition. It is also said that the divine vibe of Goddess Gauri and Lord Shiva can still be felt here in this temple. The construction of this temple is in Typical Shikara Style, it is finely carved from stone. You can reach this temple by bus only or you can take a taxi from Manali Mall road too.
Himalaya Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple
Temple timings: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Location: Manali
Manali bus stand to Himalaya Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple distance: 1 km
This is one of the well-known monasteries in North India and is also a sightseeing place in Manali. What you will find interesting here is the enormous statue or idol of Sakyamuni in a meditative posture. If you are too tired to explore Manali and want some peace, this is your place to go. Although this place can be visited any time of year, the best time to visit is between October and May, which is also the tourist season in Manali. It is very close to Manali Mall road so you can visit here any time on your Manali trip.
Vashisht Temple
Temple timings: 7 am to 9 pm
Vashisht baths timings: 7 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 9 pm
Location: Manali
Manali to Vashisht temple distance: 3.6 km
Imagine visiting a traditional, approx. 4000-year-old temple with The Most amazing Himachali wooden carvings with intricate designs. This is Vashisht temple in Manali, located just 3.6 km away from the Manali bus stand. The temple is named after Rishi Vashisht, one of the seven sages of Hinduism. Inside this temple, there is a stone image of the Rishi wearing dhoti. Here the Vashisht hot water springs are the main attraction. It is said that the water spring has healing properties so if you are suffering from any type of skin problem, you can visit here.
Siyali Mahadev Temple in Manali
Temple timings: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Location: Hadimba Temple Rd, Siyal, Manali
Manali bus stand to Siyali Mahadev Temple: 1.7 km
This is an old temple located amidst tall green pine trees with verdant mountain peaks of Manali. The fact that is famous about this temple is that it is home to a self-manifested Shivalinga, which is said to have been at this place since time immemorial. There are many sayings that you can find about this temple. One of them is that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati appeared on earth from the bark of a tree, the exact place where this small temple was built.
Another great thing about this temple is its architecture, which is a combination of chalet and pagoda architectural styles. This temple in Manali lies on Hadimba Temple Road, so you can explore 2 amazing temples at once.
Ghatotkach tree temple
Temple timings: all-day
Location: Hadimba Temple Rd, Manali
Manali bus stand to Ghatotkach temple: 2.4 km
This is another temple located near Hadimba temple only, a shrine dedicated to Ghatotkach, son of Bhima. This is a tree temple that is adorned with red threads, bells, and tridents. This is a famous temple among tourists and locals as Ghatotkach is revered for his strength and loyalty. There is no special infrastructure of the temple, just the natural setting makes this spot an interesting and culturally rich addition to the attractions in Manali.
Conclusion
Manali will never disappoint you, whether you are visiting there to explore tourist places, to try adventure, going on a honeymoon trip to Manali or just visiting to see hills. Manali is a perfect place for all purposes. So what are you still thinking? Visit Manali this summer vacation and explore these temples in Manali.
