Manu Temple, Old Manali

What it is

The temple at the head of Old Manali, dedicated to the sage Manu — the lawgiver who survived the flood in Hindu tradition, whose hermitage the story places here, and from whom Manali takes its name. It is a stone-and-timber building in the valley's own manner, rebuilt more than once, with a carved doorway and a courtyard, set among the oldest houses of the village with the ridge close behind. It is smaller and plainer than Hadimba, and quieter, and the climb through the village to reach it is much of the visit.

Getting there

About 3 km from the bus stand by road to the foot of Old Manali; then on foot up the lane from the bridge over the Manalsu, past the cafés and guesthouses to the old houses at the top, a steady twenty minutes. Cars stop below; the last part is stone steps.

When to go

Early, when the village is waking and the lane is empty, or in the last hour of light when the town below is in shadow and the ridge above is lit. Any month; in winter the steps hold ice and the village is quiet.

Around it

The lane below for breakfast; the Manali Sanctuary gate for the forest; Hadimba across the stream; Vashisht and Jogini across the river for the walk. Our stays page has the guesthouses in the upper village, which are the quiet ones.

Plans that include this

All 9 plans that stop here →

Day plan · First visitClassic

One day in Manali — the first visit

A one-day Manali plan for a first visit: Hadimba's cedar-grove temple, the Manu shrine, the Vashisht hot springs and the walk to Jogini Falls — no car till two.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Dec

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1 night · 2 days · Slow travelCafés & food

Old Manali — two days of cafés, lanes and one forest walk

Two days in Old Manali without a car: long breakfasts on the lane, the Manu temple, the riverside lawns, the forest walk, the Hadimba grove and the hot springs.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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1 night · 2 days · First visitClassic

Manali in two days — the first time

A two-day Manali plan for a first visit: the temples and Old Manali on foot, then Solang in the morning and Naggar Castle after lunch. No permit, no pass.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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2 nights · 3 days · First visitClassic

Three days in Manali — the classic first visit

A three-day Manali itinerary: the temples and Old Manali on foot, Solang and the Atal Tunnel to Sissu with no permit, then Naggar Castle on the way out.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Dec

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2 nights · 3 days · Slow travelTemples & heritage

Temples and heritage of the Manali valley — three days

Three days of the Manali valley's temples: Hadimba, Manu and Vashisht in the town, then Jagatsukh, Naggar Castle and the stone temples below, and one hill walk.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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2 nights · 3 days · PhotographersClassic

Manali for photographers — three days of light

Three days of Manali's best light: the cedar grove at dawn and Old Manali at dusk, the pass road early for the widest valley, the tunnel to Lahaul's thin sky.

Best Jan · Mar–Jun · Sep–Dec

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