Located around 5 km from Manali near the village of Prini, Arjun Gufa is a cave linked with the legend of Arjuna. It is believed that he meditated here on the advice of Sage Vyasa to obtain the powerful ‘Pashupata Astra’ from Lord Indra.

Formerly known as ‘Nast,’ Jagatsukh was once the ancient capital of the Kullu kingdom, where several rulers governed for twelve generations until the capital shifted to Naggar. It lies on the left bank of the Beas and sits on the road between Naggar and Manali.
Before reaching Jagatsukh, one passes Shooru, near the entrance to Hamta Nullah, where the historic temple of Devi Sarvali is located. Jagatsukh still has several ancient temples, the most notable being the Shiva Temple built in the Shikhara style, admired for its fine sculptural work. The Gayatri Devi Temple stands nearby.

Situated between Jari and Khiksa Thatch lies the unique village of Malana. It is known for having one of the world’s oldest forms of democracy, where villagers collectively manage local affairs.
Malana has its own two-house administrative system: the Upper House (Jaistang) and the Lower House (Kanishtang or Core). If disputes remain unresolved, the matter is taken to Jamlu Devta, whose decision, delivered through his ‘Gur,’ is final.
The people of Malana speak a distinct language called Kanashi, which is a mix of aboriginal Mundari and Tibetan, and differs from the Pahari spoken in the rest of Kullu.

Located near the end of the valley, Manali is one of the top tourist destinations of Himachal Pradesh and is known worldwide. It is famous for its forests, orchards, streams, birds, and magnificent snow-covered mountains.
Historically, Manali was the starting point of an ancient trade route that crossed the Rohtang and Baralacha passes to reach Kashmir via Lahaul and Ladakh, while another route connected it to Spiti. Today, motorable roads connect Manali to Leh, Pangi valley, and Kaza, with regular summer bus services to these places. Manali lies 45 km from Kullu.
A popular legend says that after a great flood, Manu—the author of the ‘Manu Samhita’—first stepped onto Earth at Manali. The name is believed to come from ‘Manu-Alaya,’ meaning the abode of Manu. A temple dedicated to him still stands in the old Manali village.

Located in the Parvati Valley at an altitude of 1,829 metres and 40 km from Kullu, Manikaran is famous for its hot springs. The springs are extremely hot—hot enough to cook rice in cloth bundles placed in the water. The water is believed to be radioactive and helpful for people suffering from rheumatism and related ailments.
Manikaran is also an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Sikhs due to the presence of the Raghunathjee Temple and the Gurudwara. According to ancient legends, Manikaran is also associated with Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Naggar, located on the left bank of the Beas River and 300 metres above it, offers beautiful views of the northern and western sides of the valley. It is 27 km from Kullu and 5 km from Patlikuhal, with a bridge connecting the two sides of the river.
Naggar once served as the capital of the Kullu kingdom after it succeeded the earlier capital, Jagatsukh. The Naggar Castle, built during the reign of Raja Sidh Singh, still stands and is now a tourist lodge.
The village is home to several ancient temples, including the Gauri-Shankar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, believed to be around 800 years old. Other temples include the Vishnu Temple of Chatturbhuj, the Pagoda-style Tripura Sundri Temple, and the Krishna Temple of Murli Dhar.
Above the castle is the Roerich Estate, once home to the internationally renowned artist Nicholas Roerich and his family.

Nehru Kund is a natural spring of clear, cold water, named after India’s first Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. It is located about 6 km from Manali on the Manali-Keylong road.

Rohtang Pass, at an altitude of 3,978 metres, is one of the most popular mountain passes for tourists and trekkers. It lies 51 km from Manali and offers breathtaking scenery throughout the journey.
The Beas River originates near the top of the pass from a block of mica-schist. Close to Rohtang, around 500–600 feet above, is the small glacier lake ‘Sar Kund’ (Dashair). Every year on the 20th of Bhadon (around 4 September), locals visit the lake believing that bathing here at sunrise can cure physical ailments.
The pass can experience sudden snowstorms and strong cold winds in early summer and late autumn. Daily bus services from Manali operate during the tourist season, and bookings can be arranged through the Tourism Development Officer at Manali.

Lying between Manali and Kothi, Solang Valley offers spectacular views of glaciers and snow-covered peaks. It is home to the closest glacier to Manali and is located about 13 km from the town. Visitors can travel up to Palchan by bus or jeep, and from there, a motorable road leads to the valley.
Solang is also well-known for its excellent skiing slopes and is a popular destination for summer skiing.

Vashisht is a small village on the left bank of the Beas, located about 3 km beyond Manali. It is famous for its hot sulphur springs, known for their therapeutic properties. The springs are enclosed in a walled bathing area with stone floors, and there are separate Turkish-style shower rooms for men and women with controlled hot and cold water at nominal charges.
A stone and wooden temple dedicated to Sage Vashishta stands near the springs, giving the village its name.