Manali has a profound rural culture and tradition, the essence of which is found in the local artisanal products. If you’re an art lover, it’s a must to explore the myriad handicrafts of Manali and take select items back as souvenirs for yourself and your near and dear ones.
What are artisanal products
Items produced by artisans, either entirely by hand or with the assistance of mechanical tools are called artisanal products. The manual efforts of the artisan contribute the most to the finished product. Artisanal products are loved for their distinctive features. These can be traditional, functional, ornamental, culturally attached, creative, artistic, aesthetic, utilitarian and socially symbolic.
India abounds in wonderful artisanal products. You can find an array of them, particularly in Manali.
Types of artisanal products one can find in Manali
Here’s a rich variety of artisanal items to buy in Manali.
Himalayan and Tibetan handicrafts: Among the top handicrafts to shop for are Mohras or masks of deities. For something unique, grab some grass and straw slippers. You can even pick impressive Tibetan antiques, jewellery, carpets, and other handicrafts.
Thangkas and Dorjes: These traditional artisanal products are perfect gifts for your dear ones. Thangkas refer to scroll paintings of Buddhist deities on silk or cotton applique cloth. With good maintenance, they can last long while retaining their lustre. Dorjes are believed to signify the positivity of a diamond and the power of a thunderbolt. They’re used as spiritual symbols in rituals.
Prayer wheels: Although popular in Ladakh, they’re available largely in Manali too. These prayer wheels are made of metal and regarded as sacred. Rotating it is believed to bring good luck. Although apparently, the wheels are empty from within, the Buddhist prayers inscribed on them make them powerful. So, they act as good wishes in disguise for your loved ones.
Kullu caps, Kullu & Kinnauri shawls: Love embroidered fabrics? Then you’ll love these local items too. The Kullu and Kinnauri shawls display wonderful patterns in combination with bright colours that represent the spirit of Manali. The fabric is soft, and the shawls are perfectly light yet warm. Don’t forget to shop for Kullu caps as well in your favourite colours.
If you visit a Manali resort with an excellent souvenir store that offers local handicrafts, Tibetan carpets, woollens and more, you can simply shop your heart’s content there.
Things to do in Manali
The first thing to do in Manali is, of course, sightseeing! So, here are the top places to visit in Manali.
- Rohtang Pass
- Manali Sanctuary
- Chandrakhani Pass
- Jogini Waterfalls
- Kullu
- Vashist Baths
- Naggar Castle Solang Valley
- Hampta Pass
Besides, look forward to the following thrilling activities:
- Ropeway near Solang Valley
- Skiing in Solang Valley (in winters)
- Riverside camping and trek
- Rafting in Beas River
- Village tour and enjoying a meal at the homes of villagers
Some Manali resorts like Club Mahindra White Meadows are located ideally to give you good access to the above activities. Plus you can go for the following activities in the resort:
- Himachali Dham dining
- Candlelight dinner in the hills
- Attending a folk-dance class
- Taking a mocktail-making class
- Learning towel origami
Best time to visit
If you want to experience snowfall in Manali, it’s best to visit the place between January and early March. These months are also highly favourable for exciting activities like rafting, skiing, trekking and riverside camping.
Holiday checklist
- Check any Covid-related restrictions in the area you’re visiting.
- Carry your travel-related documents.
- Take your camera, sunglasses and chargers of devices.
- If you’re visiting in winter, pack enough warm clothes.
- For activities like trekking, carry suitable shoes.
- Carry your medicines, first-aid kit, masks, sanitiser, toiletries, etc.
- Take the membership card of the resort.
Why choose Club Mahindra White Meadows/Snow Peaks?
Both Club Mahindra Manali resorts – Snow Peaks and White Meadows – have great locations. They allow you to easily access all the vital places to visit in Manali. Plus, you can participate in fun resort activities. There’s a souvenir shop where you can buy unique local artisanal products for yourself, family, and friends. With premium amenities like a, signature spa treatments, spacious rooms with double beds and hillside views, you can have the best holiday in Manali if you choose one of these resorts.
How to book your holiday
Visit www.clubmahindra.com. Provide necessary details like name, mobile number, etc to get in touch with a holiday expert. The holiday expert will help you with the Club Mahindra membership details and further process.
Tap on the “Member Login”. Alternatively, you can log on to Club Mahindra’s mobile application. Enter your membership number as your username and type a unique password to open your dashboard.
Choose the desired Manali resort, Club Mahindra Snow Peaks or White Meadows. Then browse the calendar to see which of these resorts is available on the required dates. After confirming the dates, click on ‘Book now’.
Also read: Here’s a 3-day itinerary at royal resorts in Udaipur for the long weekends in 2022