Manali is one of the most popular hill stations in India. The best part about Manali is that it has a lot of fun and adventure to offer throughout the year. There is no particular time where you can have a mesmerizing trip to Manali. It has its list of things to do in all kinds of seasons. People in summer usually visit Manali to ditch harsh summer in their regions. Manali in Monsoon is famous was its chill vibe. Whereas snow lovers love to visit Manali in winters.
Manali in October
It usually stays cold during the mornings and evenings during October in Manali. The temperature usually stays between 8 Degrees Celsius to 15 Degrees Celsius. So at least you should have a thin woollen sweater to bear the cold. The high mountain peaks are often seen snowing, hence the tourist town gets cloudy. By the end of the month, the chills start to get severe. So tourists must carry a jacket or shawl to cover them. Light woollen clothes will work for the main town but if you are planning to go to Rohtang Pass, carry heavy woollen clothes as it’s a very cold place.
Localities are seen stocking woods for winter. Even winter purchase also starts rising up. The festival of Dussehra which comes in October is celebrated in Kullu with great pomp and show. More than 200 deities come to pay homage to Lord Raghunath. The festival is also a great attraction to tourists during this period. It is also observed that on the opening of Dussehra it snows on the mountain ranges every year consecutively. This depicts the beginning of the Winter season.
Also Read : Best 6 Places to Enjoy the Monsoon in Manali
Best Places to visit in Manali during October
As October marks a very good time to visit Manali, one should know the best places to visit during this time of the year.
Vashisht Temple
Vashisht temple is a popular tourist destination. This temple was founded by Guru Vashisht who was the sole guru (teacher) of Lord Ram and Lord Laxman. It is at a distance of 3.5 km from Manali Bus Stand. The village of Vashisht was named after Rishi Vashisht one of the seven sages of Hindu. It is believed that this temple is 4000 years old. Inside the temple, there is a black stone image of the Rishi wearing dhoti.
Hidimba Temple
Hidimba Devi temple is an ancient cave temple in the name of Hidimba Devi, wife of Bhima ( One of the Pandavas in the Indian epic Mahabharata). Locals also call this temple as Dhungari Temple. A cedar forest “Dhungiri Van Vihar ” covers the boundaries of the temple. Maharaja Bahadur Singh built this temple in 1553.
It is one of the most popular tourist and pilgrim spots which is around 1.5 kilometers away from the mall road in Manali. The temple has four floors. Locals often visit this temple with belief and faith. If you are visiting Manali, make sure you pay a visit to the Hidimba temple to seek some peaceful vibes and to see this wonderful historical and archaeological place.
Beautiful Villages For Sight Seeing
Landscape views of the Himalayan region hit differently. Beautiful mountains with deep valleys and lots of greenery around. There are some very beautiful villages in Manali. Malana, Kothi, and Vashisht are some of them.
Malana is said to be one of the most beautiful villages in India. It is situated on a remote plateau by the side of the torrential Malana river, at a height of 2,652 meters (8,701 ft) above sea level. Malana has its own lifestyle and culture. The peaks of Chanderkhani and Deo Tibba. A most simple way to reach Malana is by taking a taxi or bus.
Kothi is an inspiring destination located at the foothills of Rohtang Pass. It is approximately12 kilometers away from Manali at an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level. Kothi offers a magnificent view of mountains covered with snow, glaciers, and the Beas River. It is a perfect plan for camping if you are planning to climb the Rohtang Pass.
Also Read : Snowy Manali- Months to get snow, things to do
Sar Pass Lake
Sar Pass trek is one of the oldest favorites for many trekkers in the Kullu region. People who like adventure and snow will feel this trek as heaven. This trek starts from Kasol and then takes you through thick pine forests, beautiful alpine meadows, quaint villages, snow-covered mountains, and some of the most splendid landscapes making it one of the best treks for beginners. Also, on one day of the trek, you will pass from a frozen lake (Sar in the local dialect) from which the Sar Pass trek gets its name.
The view from the pass is that of the majestic mountains of Parvati valley. you will experience some breath-taking views of surrounding snow-capped mountains. You will also find some beautiful heartwarming villages, that will give you a calm vibe. This trek offers an amazing sight of waterfalls and majestic snow-clad peaks. A trekker also gets a chance to spend nights under the sky full of stars at some beautiful campsites like Ramsu and Grahan. This trek takes 6 days to complete. It reaches a maximum height of 4206 m with 50 kilometers of distance.
Chandekhani Pass Trek and Hampta Pass Trek
This trek route is one of the most popular amongst travelers. Hampta is the easternmost pass on the Pir Panjal range which divides the valleys of Lahoul, Spiti, and Kullu. This trek route is the shortest line between the Chandra and Beas rivers. This way was considered way too much before the road over the Rohtang Pass was constructed. This path is surrounded by beautiful Himalayan peaks like Deo Tibba, Indra Asan, and Indra Kila.
First, reach Manali, drive to Prini. Trek starts through Prini village, ascending to Jobdi Nala via taxi offers an extensive view of the Kullu valley. An easy walk of two hours to the campsite just after the road head. The trail begins flat from Jobri Nala to Chika walking through the forest of Mapple, Silver Fir, Pine, and Oak, paved by the grass and stone and fields of the wildflowers. You can have tea on your way some refreshment.
Solang Valley
Solang Valley is at the top of Kullu valley, around 14 kilometers away from the main resort town Manali on the way to Rohtang pass. This place is very popular among tourists for its adventurous sports. Precisely, this place offers parachuting, paragliding, skating, skiing, and zorbing depending on the weather’s favourability.
Sloping down on snow-covered slopes with your skis while enjoying the cold waves and beautiful view is a mesmerizing experience. While in the summers, these snowy slopes meltdown. Hence at that time, the ground and weather conditions are perfect for zorbing or globe-riding. Zorbing means when people are tied in a huge unbreakable ball and pushed down from the hill.
