| Frequently visited place in Manali are the Hadimba Temple and magnificent gompas or Buddhist monasteries namely Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa and Nyingamapa Gompa. Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa a Buddhist monastery was built in 1969. It is located in the mall of Manali. Beautiful frescos depicting the principles of Buddhism adorn the Gompa. Gadhan Gompa houses a central statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. It also has a list of the martyrs killed in the occupation of Tibet during 1987-1989. There are small shops outside this monastery showcasing fine hand knitted carpets and durries. The proceeds of the sale and donations are used in the maintenance of the Gompa. It is open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Nyingamapa Gompa is set amidst a beautiful sunflower garden. It stands near the bazaar and spreads the fragrance of Tibetan incense all around. The monastery houses immensely huge gold colossal of Buddha that can be viewed clearly from the monastery's first floor.
In both Gompas 101 diyas (lamps) of pure desi ghee are lighted as a holy service every day. As a part of spiritual practices, the Gompas have spinning prayer wheels and hanging prayer flags to develop an enlightened state of mind. The prayer wheels are cylindrical in shape and display the mantras (sacred syllables) and prayers printed on rolled papers. The devotees spin the prayer wheels in a clockwise direction with their right hand and tell the beads of a rosary in their left hands during incantations. It is believed that the prayer wheel spinning brings a unification of devotee's body, mind and soul. The prayer flags are ciphered with sacred symbols, prayers and mantras to create a pious atmosphere.
Hadimba Temple or Dhungri Temple is a famous temple of Manali. The temple traces its origin to the Pandavas era. In the Mahabharata there is a mention of a 'Rakshashi' who has been exalted and is worshipped in this area. During the wanderings of the Pandavas after escaping from the wax house, Bhima fell in love with this rakshashi named Hadimba, sister of the rakshasha Hadimba. Bhima killed her brother and married her. The couple was blessed with a son named Ghatotkachh. Bhima had to leave his wife and child. Hadimba took care of her child and resorted to meditation in the jungles. For her supernatural powers owing to tapasya (meditation), she became the patron-deity of the Rajas of Kullu. The temple is constructed in Pagoda style amidst cedar forest at the foothills of Himalayas. Maharaja Bahadur Singh constructed the temple in 1553. The temple is architecturally similar to Tripura Sundari in Naggar temple. The temple has a wood carved four-storey building with a metal clad cone at the rooftop and stands 24 meters high. The doorway of the temple depicting the ancient style of architecture is elegantly carved and is believed to be 400 years old. Vashisht Springs are situated at half an hour walking distance from Manali. These are hot sulphur springs that have medicinal importance, as they possess amazing power to heal skin problems. Cross the bridge over the splendid expanse of the bustling Beas River in its upper course to reach the road that would lead you to the Vashisht Springs. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Rama and another temple of Vashisht Munj at Vashisht Springs. Rahala Waterfalls are at a distance of about 16 kilometers from Manali at an altitude of 2,501 meters. The waterfall is located at the starting point of the climb to Rohtang Pass. Solang Valley is a perfect feast for an eye. With the snow capped mountains and glaciers the valley is an ideal place for skiing.
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During the 1960's travelers called Manali Shangri La (a fictional place described in the novel Lost Horizon written by British writer James Hilton in 1933 that means utopia, a place where every thing is glorious and free from errors and malpractices in the society and hidden from the world). Manali was named after Manavalaya, which means "dwelling of Manu". Legend has it that Vaivasvata Manu rescued a small talking fish from being eaten by a bigger fish. From that very day Manu took care of the fish with great dedication as the fish told Manu that it would serve him one day. As the fish grew, it became necessary to leave it in the ocean. Before departing the fish prophesised that because of a heavy downpour a great flood would sweep over the whole world and life would end. It also asked Manu to build an ark and preserve a couple of every plant and animal species for the future. Manu did so, and he was able to survive when the whole world drowned. Matsya (fish) schlepped Vaivastava Manu and the seven sages who helped in building the boat to a safer place. After many days of sailing, Manu reached Manali and accomplished his task of recreating human life and Manali got its name from him.