Manali

Manali is a resort town located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India, with a population of approximately 8,096 inhabitants. It is located north of New Delhi and it is some 547.3 km away from the nation’s capital. The town derives its name from a series of ancient texts called the Manusmriti. The texts are also alternatively known as the code of Manu.

Manu in Sanskrit is used as a term of reference for the first man or the progenitor of the human race who appears at the start of each Manvantra. There are fourteen manvantras in each universal cycle and hence there are fourteen manus in total who appear when the world or life as we know it begins again.

The town is located at an altitude of 2,050 m above sea level and it is surrounded by lofty snow clad peaks and lush vibrant forests.

Approximately 14 km away from the town is the Solang Valley which is known for its picturesque landscapes and breathtaking views.

The most widely celebrated festival in Manali is the annual Doongri Forest Festival which is celebrated between the months of May and June each year in honor of the town’s presiding deity, Hdimba Devi.  

Hdimba Devi is a Goddess that is primarily worshiped in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Hdimba Devi is not an orthodox deity and she is from the race of rakshashas or giants who according to the Puranas are descendants of the Sage Kashyapa, one of the seven Saptarishis or the 7 sages who remain constant in each manvantra and the daughter of Daksha, one of the 10 manasa putras or those who were born from Brahma’s intellect, and Krodhavasha. The goddess first appears in the Mahabharata and is a consort of Bhima.

In addition to the Doongri Forest Festival there are five other festivals that are celebrated annually that draw large crowds. They are as follows:

• The Hdimba Devi Festival which is celebrated in the spring of each year.
• The Losar Festival which is celebrated among the Tibetan Community in Manali to commemorate the wedding of the Tantric Monk Padmasambhava to a local princess.
• Dusshera which is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and it is celebrated either in October or early November.
• The winter carnival which is normally popular among tourists and includes a host of winter activities. The carnival is celebrated in February and

• Baisakhi which is celebrated among the members of the Sikh community in Manali. It is a harvest festival that marks the start of the Sikh New Year.

Kathiresan Ramachanderam 2020