Manali History

Manali history is just like a fairy tale that is steeped more in myth. The existence of Manali can be traced back to the folklore of Mahabharata. The name 'Manali' literally means the abode of Manu. When Manu and other Gods were flooded, they were saved by the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu by towering high to dry lands. Manali is the place where Manu found refuge. Back in the 17th century, Raja Jagat Singh brought the idol of Lord Raghunathji to his throne and till now, he is the presiding deity and king of Manali.

The colorful tales and saga of the mythological existence of Manali remain in the popular belief and heart of the innocent people of the Manali hills. However, modern day Manali history began its journey, more precisely, with the coming of the British. They made this beautiful land their choice for staying during the summer months. They brought forth the apple orchards and trout fishing to Manali that largely shaped the economy of this place. It was the British people settling here, which developed Manali as a tourist destination.

The recent history of Manali was stained during the seventies and eighties with the cultivation of marijuana that attracted the development of a hippie culture that was looked down by the conventional tourists. However, with the rise of turmoil in the Kashmir valley, the tourists started returning to Manali as the landscape and immense beauty of the two places match each other.