Manali - Places.. Streets.. People.. #5

Handloom - Shawls and Pattus

The loom

Himachal Pradesh is known for it's unique traditions. The handlooms and handicrafts are integral part of cultural tradition of this state. The primary occupations with rural Himachal is agriculture, horticulture, handloom & handicraft. 

Shawl and Pattu weaving

Handloom  weaver at work

The Himalayan Handlooms are recognised across the globe for their purity and utility. The weavers put significant efforts to prepare a fine blend of tradition and creativity. To watch the workers weaving a shawl using their hands and feet is indeed admirable.

Handloom shop

The patterns woven on shawls and pattus describes ethnicity of colour contrasts as well as depiction of natural colours

Warp and Weft

The famous handloom products are -

Shawls: Shawl weaving is one of the most flourishing industries in Manali and surrounding regions these days. The Himachali shawl is made of wool. Merino wool, local sheep wool, pashmina, angora and mixture of these are commonly used. Yak hairs are also used to add variety. These shawls are either plain shawls or with different patterns. Their geometric designs give a strong feel of central Asian influence. 

Pattu: A woolen fabric draped by women like a sarong, used for everyday wear are plain or checkered with simple borders. 

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Manali - Places.. Streets.. People.. #4

The village...streets...people...

Beside the beautiful mountains and valleys, Manali is also famous for its bustling streets full of life. Old Manali is a village with an exotic charm. It is mix of ancient and modern. Old Manali has its own lovely world guarded by Manalsu river. The bridge over the river is between the two worlds - Manali and Old Manali. 

The beautiful village

Old wooden house

Stone and wood work

The streets, the river, the houses of Manali reminds you of a fairy tale. They look attractive during day as well as night. Though it creates an image of an old era, on the flip side it is exposed to all the facilities of modern world. Also, because of the growing tourism, you can find modern hotels, guest houses, residences, shops etc. and also a mix of different culture. Everything with its own distinct space is unique in its own style. 

Mall road, Manali

The mall road of Manali is the heart of the town. In the peak season it is with full of life and colors. Tourists from across the glob are found here. The entire street is full of hotels, eateries, various kind of shops buzzing with activities from morning to night. Also, tourist information centres and bus stand are located here. Hand woven clothes, hand painted articles, key-chains etc. are the shoppers' delight. 

Manali is kind of a cosmo town. Ladakhis, Kullus, Lahaulis and Kashmiris live peacefully and harmoniously. Tibetans as well as people from other parts of India have also settled down in Manali making it multi-cultural and multi-ethnic town. Lifestyle of people is simple and traditional. Hinduism and Buddhism are main religions of the region.

Farming was the primary occupation of Manali people. With passage of time, tourism has taken over as the primary industry followed by handloom weaving and other occupations mainly catering to tourists

The traditional wear of the Manali people is usually spun out of wool because of the cold climatic condition.

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Manali - Places.. Streets.. People.. #3

Buddhist monasteries

Buddham sharanam gachchhami

Manali is also the home of Tibetan Monasteries. These are one of the major tourist attraction and feature chiefly as an important pilgrim itinerary. Tibetan Monasteries has been set up because of the large population of Tibetan people settled over here. Monasteries represent the rich culture and history of the Tibetan people.

The famous monasteries are Himalayan Nyingmapa Gompa, Von Ngari  and Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa. Constructed by Tibetan refugees, these monasteries are a must visit for one wanting to get a glimpse of Tibetan Buddhist culture. 

Buddhist monasteries at Manali

The monasteries are located close to the Mall in Manali. 

Pagoda style architecture

The monasteries are built in Pagoda style. The architecture of the monasteries represents the Tibetan style of architecture with hued frescoes. The statue of Lord Buddha presides in the monastery. The colorful ambiance, lighting and the aromatic fragrance of the Tibetan incense sticks lit in the Monasteries create an enchanting impression on the tourists and lures them to visit the monastery again. 

The Prayer wheel

Inside the monastries, the paintings depict events of the life of Lord Buddh. The Kalchakra i.e. the wheel of life painted on the wall of the monastery shows the circle of life. The atmosphere here gives peace to mind. During my tour of 10 days, I visited the monasteries thrice. I spent my time observing the paintings, the architecture, talking with Lamas and clicking photographs.  

Prayer time

Public prayers are performed every Sunday and on special occasions. Also, festivals and special occasions are celebrated at monasteries by large number of local people.

Lamas are trained as preachers and performers of religious rites in the monastery. The monastery also runs a Thanka school of arts and a carpet-weaving centre. Resident Tibetan and immigrants of Tibet produce handicraft articles to attract the tourists.The primary objective is to preserve ancient Tibetan art. 

A cafeteria is also there in Von Ngari monastery. Tourits can sit there and have refreshment. The specialty of this cafeteria is "butter tea". 

Cafeteria at Von Ngari 

Cafeteria at Von Ngari 

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Manali - Places.. Streets.. People.. #2

Beside the landscapes and trekking trails, there are some beautiful places in and around Manali. Ancient temples attract the tourists and of course photography lovers. 

Hadimba devi temple

Hadimba Devi Temple, surrounded by a cedar forest, is one of the worth visiting places in Manali. It is built over a huge rock inside a cave where Hadimba(wife of Bhimsen) used to perform meditation. The temple was built in 1553 by local king. 

Hadimba devi temple

Temple of Veer Ghatotkach

Temple of Veer Ghatotkach(son of Hadimba and Bhimsen) is nicely nestled in a cedar tree. A temple without a roof. It is located about seventy metres away from Hadimba temple. 

Temple of Veer Ghatotkach

Manu temple

Architectured in pagoda style, the Manu temple is also a place of attraction in Manali. It offers some scenic views from its location. It is located near Beas River and is in close proximity to Mall Manali - the market place. Not much history is available about the temple. 

Manu temple

Vashishth Kund (hot water springs)

Situated across the Beas River, Vashishth kund is at a distance of  approx.5 kilometers from Manali. The village of Vashist is famous for its sulphurous Hot Water Springs and is a popular attraction among tourist and pilgrims. The village is also famous for its stone temples which are dedicated to a local saint Vashisth.

Vashishth kund

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To be continued...