Kinnaur

Kinnaur is one of twelve administrative districts of Himachal Pradesh, India. The district is itself divided into three administrative areas – Pooh, Kalpa, and Nichar – and has five Tehsils or counties. The administrative headquarter for Kinnaur district is at Reckong Peo. Due to the network of motorable roads all the essential facilities can be availed. According to ancient Hindu texts Kinners are the halfway between humans and gods. From here Sangla valley, and district headquarters Recong Peo, Kalpa, Kinnaur Kailash, considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva, can be viewed.
Geography
A mountainous area, ranging in altitude from 2,320 to 6,816 metres, Kinnaur is one of the smallest districts in India. It is famous for the Kinnaur Kailash, a mountain sacred to Hindus, close to the Tibetan border.

Climate
Most of Kinnaur enjoys a temperate climate due to its high elevation, with long winters from October to May, and short summers from June to September. The lower parts of the Sutlej Valley and the Baspa Valley receive monsoon rains. The upper areas of the valleys fall mainly in the rain-shadow area. These areas are considered to be arid regions, similar to the climate of Tibet.

Flora and fauna
Portions of Kinnaur are situated high in the Himalaya, where vegetation is sparse and consists primarily of hardy grasses. Alpine species such as juniper, pine, fir, cypress, and rhododendron can be found at elevations between 3,500 and 5,000 metres, primarily in Middle Kinnaur. At lower altitudes, temperate-climate trees are found, including oak, chestnut, maple, birch, alder, magnolia, apple, and apricot.
Yaks and dzos are reared by local farmers in the higher areas. Scattered populations of the Himalayan black bear and small ponies may also be found.

People
"It is said that two great Rishis(Saints) from satyuga will reincarnate in kalyuga in kinnaur to spread goodwill and some wits in kinnauri people. These two saints will have birth near Nichar Valley and Akpa. Though these two saints will be devoid of any wits in this yuga but one of their "mitra" will take care of them and help them to shape the life of kinnauri people."
Noted Historian Mr Kamal Thakur has asserted that "kinner" means like "horse like". And thats why kinnauri people have faces resembling to horses. Other meaning of kinner is "ashwa" which means the same. Some others fraud people do day like this : The local people, known as Kinner or Kinnauri, are of Tibetan and Indo-European origin, mixed in varying degrees depending on region. Those in Lower Kinnaur possess more Caucasian features, while those in Upper Kinnaur possess predominantly Tibetan features. Racial mixing is greatest in Middle Kinnaur.
According to myth, the Kinners are descendants of the Pandavas: beings halfway between men and gods that possess supernatural powers. They also claim descent from the Rajput, Khosias, and Beru castes.
The Kinners speak a dialect of the Tibeto-Burman family known as Kinnauri or Kanauri. The distinctive feature of Kinnarui dialect is the use of Hindi elements. The Tibetan Jangram dialect is spoken by the Kinners living in Pooh and Sangla.
Two thousand speakers of the old Zhang Zhung dialect in the Sutlej valley still remain today.

Lifestyle
Generally, Kinner houses have storerooms for keeping grain and dried fruits, and separate wooden grain-storage structures, called kathar. Pakpa, a piece of sheepskin or yakskin, is often placed on the khayarcha mat.
Traditionally Kinners use utensils made of brass and bronze. Modern influences have included the introduction of Chinese crockery, and utensils made of stainless steel and aluminium.
Clothes are mainly of wool. The thepang, a grey woollen cap, is worn with a white velvet band. The Tibetan chhuba, a long woollen coat which resembles an achkan, is worn as well, with a sleeveless woollen jacket. While men wear woollen churidhar pajamas, and tailored woollen shirts such as the chamn kurti, the women wrap themselves up in a dohru. The first wrap of the dohru is based on the back, with embroidered borders displayed throughout its length, which stretches to the heels. Darker shades of colours are preferred for the Dohru, although other beautifully coloured shawls may be worn, usually draped over the shoulders. A choli, another type of full sleeved blouse worn by women, may serve as a decorative lining as well.
The Kinners are classified mainly into two castes: Lower and upper caste. Again both of these categories are divided into sub classes. The caste system is more prevalent in the Lower and Middle Kinnaur regions.

Religion
Buildings in Kalpa shows strong Hindu and Buddhist influence.
Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism are the main religions in the district, although Bön is also practised. These three religions have undergone religious mixing, along with some indigenous shamanistic practices. One can see some Buddhist influences on the Hindu religion in Lower Kinnaur, the mixing of Buddhist and Hindu beliefs in varying degrees in Middle Kinnaur, and even the influence of Hinduism on Buddhism in Pooh of Upper Kinnaur. However, Buddhist Hangrang remains largely untouched by Hindu influence.
One can see Hindu gods being worshipped side by side with Buddhist deities in Buddhist and Hindu temples, especially in Middle Kinnaur. Dabla, one of the major Bön deities, is greatly revered by the Kinners in the area. Folk Hindu gods are also worshipped in Middle and Lower Kinnaur. These include the Durga (locally known as Chandi, Narayan, Vishnu) and many other folk Hindu–animist gods. Folk deities play a major role in the daily life of the Kinners.
Superstitions concerning animist ghosts such as Banchir, Rakshas, and Khunkch also play an important role in the belief system of the Kinners. Pujas and horns of domestic animals are used to ward off the evil spirits, in order to bring good luck.
Buddhist lamas play an important role in the daily life of the Kinners, and young monks of Upper and Middle Kinnaur are trained from a young age in conducting religious ceremonies, devoting their lives to Lamaism and learning to read Tibetan scriptures and Buddhist doctrines. When they become Lamas(male monks) and Chomos(female nuns), they are given religious duties, which include presiding over the religious and secular affairs of the Kinners. They are generally divided into two groups, namely, the celibate Gyolang, who shave their heads, and the non-celibate Durpu, who do not shave their heads.
The Kinnaur Kailash is the most sacred mountain for most Kinners. Every year it is visited by thousands of locals on religious pilgrimages known as Yatra, Hindu and Buddhist alike.

History
Little is known about the history of Kinnaur, except for the fact that it was once known as Kanaurra or Kinnaura. There are, however, legends and myths among the inhabitants.
It is known that the area was placed under the control of the Magadha kingdom, followed by the Mauryan Empire during the 6th century BCE, which was then inhabited mainly by the Kirata, Kamboja, Panasika, and Valhika. Kinnaur also came under the influence of the Guge kingdom of Tibet between the 9th and 12th centuries.
Kinnaur was later divided into seven parts, known as Sat Khund. Conflicts in the region eventually gave rise to the formation of many small chiefdoms, which fought amongst one another for power. These struggles also included the neighbouring Bhotes. Several forts from this time, including Labrang, Moorang, and Kamru, serve as evidence of the region's history of conflict, which lasted until Emperor Akbar conquered the area. Akbar's conquest resulted in the incorporation of the Kinnaur valley into the Mughal Empire.
After the collapse of the Mughal Empire, the Kinnaur valley, then known as Chini Tehsil, played an influential role . When its dominant rôle in the region lapsed, it was merged to form part of the then Mahasu district. By 1960, political, ethnic, and cultural considerations led to the area being reorganised, forming the present Kinnaur district.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinnaur_district

Kasauli

Kasauli is a small cantonment town in Solan district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The town is the home of the Kasauli Brewery, which is the highest brewery and distillery in the world. The cantonment was established in 1842 by the British colonial rulers as a hill station. Located 77 km from Shimla, 65 km from Chandigarh and 50 km from Panchkula, it still retains the old world charms and is a throwback to the past.

Geography
Kasauli is located at 30.9° N 76.96° E.[1] It has an average elevation of 1795 metres (5889 feet).

Demographics
As of 2001 India census,[2] Kasauli had a population of 4994. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Kasauli has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 76%. In Kasauli, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Miscellaneous
Kasauli largely remains untouched by civilisation. During off-season (November-February) it is still possible to walk kilometers without running into other people (unlike its neighbouring cities).
The Pasteur Institute, founded in 1900 by Sir David Semple, is the oldest in India, producing anti-rabies vaccines and also treating sufferers.
Popular Anglo-Indian author of children's literature, Ruskin Bond was born here. The Irish rugby international Andy Mulligan was born in the town in 1936.Kasauli is also home for some months of the year to famous authour Khushwant Singh.
Legend has it that Kasauli came into being when Lord Hanuman, on his way to getting the Sanjeevani herb, stepped here for jumping on to the Sanjeevani hill. At Kasauli there is a Hanuman Mandir atop the 300 m high hillock, called Monkey Point(locals call it Manki Point), where Lord Hanuman is supposed to have rested his feet. This temple lies within the confines of an air force radar station and base and is subject to security restrictions (no cameras or bags allowed).
The most happening place in Kasauli is the junction of Upper and Lower Malls both of which are markets with shops selling daily commodities and souvenirs for tourists. The Lower Mall boasts local restaurants selling local fast food.
Being a cantonment town, entry to Kasauli is restricted. Foreign citizens must carry their passports. The best time to visit Kasauli is between April and June, and September and November. Kasauli is home to a beautiful club called the Kasauli club which was established by the British in 1880.
Prominent among the town's architecture is Christ Church (located near the bus station) and Lawrence School, Sanawar (6 km).

Christ Church
Along with all this, another famous educational institution of the town is the St. Mary's Convent School Kasauli Students from many parts of the country study here. The school is co-education but boarding facility is provided only to girls.

How to get there
Kasauli is easy to reach by road from New Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla and other major cities in Northern India. The easiest way is to take the bus to Shimla and get off at Dharampur. One can also take the Kalka-Shimla toy train to Dharampur. Frequent buses connect Dharampur to Kasauli bus station. The fare is just Rs. 10. If you plan to go from Delhi, one good way is to book a cab from Delhi. Take the Chandigarh route. It's just 350 km from Delhi and shouldn't take more than 6-7 hrs by road.
Note: There's also a shortcut through Sector 4,Parwanoo(H.P.) via Jangeshu.
There are various trekking routes to Kasauli as well, from Kalka, from Jabli and from Garkhal. Trek from Jabli to Kasauli is approximately 9 kilometers

Central Research Institute
History: in the early years of the present century the Sanitary Commissioner with the Government of India initiated a scheme for the establishment of a Bacteriological Department and a Central Institute for Medical Research in India. This scheme met with approval of the Government of India and in 1904 work was commenced on what is now the Central Research Institute of India.
The Institute was located at Kasauli, in the Simla Hills, about 6,000 feet above sea level. The Maharaja of Patiala and the then existing residential buildings were modified extended and suitably adopted for laboratory use presented the original site. In 1933 further extensive alterations were made and laboratories constructed on modern lines, provided. These laboratories were further added to when, in 1939, the functions of the Pasteur Institute of India, were incorporated with those of the Central Research Institute. In 1946 the Government of India accepted a scheme for the expansion of the Institute in principle. This necessitated re-modeling of the main building, the acquisition of neighbouring sites and the erection of new buildings. Building operations in connection with this scheme were commenced in 1947, but owing to unsettled conditions, transport and other difficulties, these were not completed according to schedule, within the year.
The Central Research Institute4 was opened in 1906 under the Directorship of Lieut.-Colonel, later Sir David Semple (1906-1913) who was succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel W.F.Harvey (1913-1925), Colonel Sir Sammuel Rickard Christophers (1925-1932), Major-General Sir John Taylor (1932-11944) and Lieut.-Colonel H.W.Mulligan (May 1944-1947). After this Lieut.-Colonel M.L.Ahuja took over as Ist Indian Director of the Institute.
Functions: It was originally intended that the Institute should provide facilities for (i) research work on problems of medical and public health interest, (ii) manufacture of vaccine and sera, (iii) training of selected officers and (iv) to act as a centre on which inquiries in the field could be based. Sections were formed for bacteriology, malariology, helminthology, entomology and manufacture of biological products.
The activities of the Institute have varied from time to time, depending on the experience and the specialized knowledge of members of the staff. Immunological problems have always been the main subject of research, but other problems, both in the laboratory and the field, have not been neglected and much attention has been paid to such subjects as medical entomology, malaria, kala-azar, cholera, rabies, etc. Of recent years, however, and particularly during and since World War II, activities, have been restricted, more and more, to routine duties chiefly connected with the manufacture, assay and maintenance of vaccines and sera, for which there have been ever-increasing demands.
War effort: During the first World War supplies of prophylactic vaccines to the Army in India, Egypt, Mesopootamia, etc., were about one lakh doses per month, which at that time constituted a record in production. During the war years 1939-1946 manufacture of vaccines and sera reached the unprecedented total of one million doses monthly. The Institute met all demands for its biological products from the Defence Services in India, Burma and the theatres of war, civil authorities and Indian States, in full. In addition valuable research work was carried out in connection with the production of essential commodities not available from abroad, owing to war-time difficulties in transport, e.g. surgical ligatures, laboratory stains, etc. The year 1947 was a critical one for the Institute. With the change over of Government , the nstitute has, for the first time in its history, an Indian Director and also a wholly Indian staff. Changes occurred early in the year, Lieuut. – Colonel W.J. Webster, who for almost 13 years had been Senior Assistant Director, retired on 31st December 1946. Other European Officers of the I.M.S. proceeded on leave prior to retirement – Captain R. Passmore and Captain P.J.Wormald in January, Lieut. – Colonel H.W.Mulligan in May, Major C.L.Greening in July and Major T.Sommerville in August. With the exception of Colonel Mulligan, whose place was taken by the present Director, all these posts remained unfilled throughout the year.
This and the sudden depletion of the subordinate staff owing to “partition” threw an unexpected strain on the Institute. Disturbed conditions, threatening epidemics, exceptional demands for vaccines for refugee camps, transport difficulties, heavy rains resulting in floods, inability to get sheep for the preparation of antirabic and other vaccines, all added to the mental and physical strain of members of the staff. Nevertheless, over one and quarter million doses of vaccines were issued in the month of October 1947, constituting an all-time record in the history of the Institute. This was in spite of the fact that owing to remodeling work going on at the Institute, manufacture for several preceding months had been greatly reduced and reserves of vaccines were therefore low. Had it not been for this last factor the Institute may well have doubled this figure during the emergency. It is not, however, suggested that output on such a scale could have been maintained for any great length of time, for boilers and sterilizers cannot be kept in continuous use without damage to their fabric, even if human efforts were equal to the strain.
Research: In the circumstances it was inevitable that research work should be relegated to the background. Nevertheless, immediately conditions improved and inquiry into the comparative values of antirabic vaccines was commenced and by the end of the year interesting results obtained. In addition, during the year Dr.R.K.Goyal has carried out experiments on the subcutaneous and intravenous routes of immunization of horses with snake venoms. Dr. C.B.D’Silva commenced studies on the chromogenic strains of acid-fact bacilli isolated from convalescent cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and also isolated a strain of tubercle bacillus which appears to be non-pathogenic to guinea-pigs. These experiments conducted in 1947 will be published in due course. Work was undertaken by Dr.D.L.Shrivastava in collaboration with Mr.P.Bruce White in the earlier months of the year on the serological variations of V.cholerae and El Tor vibrios are grown in broth containing type-specific serum they quite readily yield cultures of the Inaba subtype. It had not been possible to induce similar change in the Inaba subtype. A considerable amount of work had also been done on the isolation of several chemical fractions from various strains of vibros. The results of the study were published in the July 1947 issue of the Indian Journal of Medical Research.

Manali

Manali, (alt. 1,950 m or 6,398 ft) in the Beas River valley, is an important hill station in the Himalayan mountains of Himachal Pradesh, India, near the northern end of the Kullu Valley. It is administratively a part of the Kullu District. The population is approx. 30,000. The small town was the beginning of an ancient trade route to Ladakh and, from there, over the Karakoram Pass on to Yarkand and Khotan in the Tarim Basin. Manali and its surrounding areas are of great significance to the Indian culture and heritage as it was the home and abode of the Saptarshi or seven sages. The ancient cave temple, Hidimba Devi Temple, is not far from town.

Contents

* 1 Geography
* 2 Demographics
* 3 Origin of Name
* 4 History
* 5 Transport
* 6 Tourism in Manali
o 6.1 Tourist Attractions
o 6.2 Places around Manali
o 6.3 Adventure Sports
* 7 Trivia
* 8 See also
* 9 References
* 10 External links

Geography
Manali is located at 32.16° N 77.10° E. It has an average elevation of 2625 metres (8612 feet).

Demographics
As of 2001 India census, Manali had a population of 6265. Males constitute 64% of the population and females 36%. Manali has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 63%. In Manali, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Origin of Name
Manali is named after the Brahmin lawgiver Manu. The word Manali literally means “the abode of Manu”. Legend has it that sage Manu stepped off his ark in Manali to recreate human life after a great flood had deluged the world. Manali is known as the "Valley of the Gods". The Old Manali village has an ancient temple dedicated to sage Manu.

History
In ancient times, the valley was sparsely populated by nomadic hunters known as "rakshas". The next arrivals were the shepherds who arrived from the Kangra valley and settled to take up agriculture. Some of the earliest inhabitants of the region are the 'naur' or 'nar' which is a caste unique to the Kullu valley. Only a few naur families are known to exist now. A naur family in the village Soyal near Haripur on the west bank of Manali was famous for the vast land they owned and their practice of having 'rakshas' as their labourers.

The British were responsible for introducing apples and trout which were not native to Manali. It is said that when apple trees were first planted the fruits were so plentiful that often branches, unable to bear the weight would collapse. To this day apple along with plum and pear remains the best source of income for the majority of its inhabitants.

Tourism in Manali received a real boost after the rise of militancy in Kashmir in the late 1980s. This once quiet village was transformed into a bustling town with hundreds of hotels and restaurants.

Transport
Mall street, Manali
Manali is well connected by road to Delhi through NH-21 which goes on the Leh and is the world's highest motorable road. Leading up to Manali from New Delhi are the towns of Panipat and Ambala in Haryana, Chandigarh(Union Territory), Ropar in Punjab, and Bilaspur, Sundernagar, and Mandi in Himachal.

Manali is not easily approachable by rail. The nearest broad gauge railheads are at Chandigarh (315 km.), Pathankot (325 km.) and Kalka (310 km.). The nearest narrow gauge railhead is at Joginder Nagar (135 km.)

The nearest airport is at Bhuntar, which is about 50 km. from Manali.The traveller is recommended not to take the arial route as the service provided by the only private airline in that region is of poor quality.

Tourism in Manali
Traditional home, Manali, 2004
River Beas and mountains as seen from Van Vihar
River Beas and mountains as seen from Van Vihar
A view of Rohtang Pass in Manali
A view of Rohtang Pass in Manali
Mountain ranges in Manali
Mountain ranges in Manali
Bridge in the middle of town with prayer flags
Bridge in the middle of town with prayer flags
Buddha Statue at Buddhist monastery
Buddha Statue at Buddhist monastery

Tourist Attractions
Manali is a popular Himalayan tourist destination and accounts for nearly a quarter of all tourist arrivals in Himachal Pradesh. It is visited by many trekkers who follow the hashish trail. Manali's charas is considered to be the best in India. The valleys provide natural U.V lights as fields are high up the mountain and high grade grows directly from the sunlight.ala. Manali's cool atmosphere provides a perfect haven for the ones afflicted by the hot Indian summers. It is famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, para gliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking. It also offers hot springs, spectacular religious shrines and temples, Tibetan Buddhist temples, and trekking in the surrounding mountains...

Naggar Fort south of Manali is a reminder of the 1500 year old Pal Dynasty. Made from rocks, stones, and elaborate wood carvings, it is an ensemble of the rich and elegant artworks of Himachal. The castle was later converted to a rest house and luxury hotel. Tourists often stop at the castle to see the small shrine located in the building's courtyard, a fine example of architecture and design from the Pal Dynasty.

The often visited site in Manali is the Dhungri or Hadimba Temple. Erected in 1533, this temple is dedicated to the local deity Hadimba, wife of the Pandava prince, Bhim. A major festival is held here in the month of May. The temple is noted for its four-storeyed pagoda and exquisite wooden carvings.

Manali is known for its shiny gompas or Buddhist monasteries. With the highest concentration of Tibetan refugees in the entire Kullu valley, it is famous for its Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa, built in 1969. The monastery is maintained by donations from the local community and through the sale of hand-woven carpets in the temple workshop

The smaller and more modern Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa stands nearer the bazaar, in a garden blooming with sunflowers. Its main shrine, lit by dozens of electric bulbs and fragrant with Tibetan incense, houses a colossal gold-faced Buddha, best viewed from the small room on the first floor.

The Museum of Traditional Himachal Culture, near the Hadimba temple, is worth a visit, which houses artifacts of folk art of the entire Kullu valley.

Places around Manali
Rohtang Pass, at an altitude of 13,050 feet above sea level, is another adventure tourist site where it can be cold even on a summer day. It is the highest point on the Manali-Keylong road and provides a wide panoramic view of mountains rising far above clouds, which is truly breath taking. Close by is a small lake called Dassaur Lake. Beas Kund, the source of river Beas, is also nearby. In winter, the road of Rothang Pass is closed.

Rahala waterfalls: About 16 km from Manali at the start of the climb to the Rohtang Pass, are the beautiful Rahalla Falls at an altitude of 2,501 m.

Monasteries: Manali is known for its shiny gompas or Buddhist monasteries. It is maintained by donations from the local community and by sale of hand-woven carpets in the temple workshop.

Rani Nala - 46 km from Manali, it is the glacier point where snow is available throughout the year.

Vashist Hot Water Springs and Temple: Around 3 km from Manali, across the Beas river is Vashist, a small village with natural sulphur springs. Modern bathhouses,now closed, due to a conflict with the elders of the village and manali council. Vasistha [3] a sage narrated Yoga Vasishtha an ancient scripture to Rama. A unique and an extremely profound discourse, that provides innumerable insights and secrets to the inner world of consciousness. This extremely huge scripture covers all the topics that relate to the spiritual study of a seeker. Vaishisht, also boasts a pair of old stone temples, opposite each other above the main square. Dedicated to the local patron saint Vashista, the smaller of the two opens on to a partially covered courtyard, and is adorned with elaborate woodcarvings those lining the interior of the shrine, blackened by years of oil-lamp and incense smoke, are particularly fine. . In this ornate quadrangle is the resting place of the local and transient sadhus, drinking chai, and smoking chillums with whoever will join them in reverence to The Lord Shiva and Guru Vashsit. The temple baths are separated into male and female and the water is often unbearably hot.are from underground hot-water/sulfur springs. hotel Evergreen

Solang valley, popularly known as Snow Point, is 13 km northwest of Manali and famous for its 300-meter ski lift. It is a picturesque spot and offers splendid views of glaciers and the snow-capped mountains. Jagatsukh, the former capital of Manali, is also an important spot.

At a distance of 3 km northwest of Manali is Old Manali, famous for its orchards and old guesthouses. There is ruined fort here by the name of Manaligarh. There is also the Manu Maharishi Temple, dedicated to sage Manu.

Manikaran: 85 km from Manali and 45 km from Kullu, lies in the Parvati Valley. Here icy cold waters of the Parvati river co-exist with hot-water springs side-by-side. The springs are known for their healing properties.

Adventure Sports
Skiing is a major pastime in Manali. Facilities for skiing are available at Solang Nullah (January-March) and Rohtang La (during summer). The Mountaineering Institute at Solang Nullah is a good training institute. Heli skiing is possible at the deep snowfields.
Skiing at Solang

The Mountaineering Institute and Allied Sports is about 3 km from the Mall and offers mountaineering and kayaking courses. Kayaking is possible on the Beas River.

There are several good hikes from Manali. The 12 km hike up the western banks of the Beas to the Solang Valley is noteworthy. Lama Dugh meadow is a 6 km hike up to the Manalsu Nala, west of Manali town.

For the best trekking expedition, take a trek from Solang Valley, on to Dhundhi and from there to Dussar lake and then onwards to Manali. This stretch will take you to places you would have only dreamt of. Pure, unadulterated adventure and fun. Be sure to have a good guide at your disposal who knows this area otherwise you would be lost forever. The trek would typically last for 5 days.

In the summers, several travel agencies organize paragliding on the slopes of the Solang Nullah. The charges generally include accommodation, food, equipment, and a guide, but not transport.

From May to July and, depending on the monsoons, from mid-September to mid-October, some basic rafting is possible on the Beas. The trips generally begin at Pirdi and continue 16 km down to Jhiri.

The HPTDC provides day permits for fishing. Permits can be obtained also at Patlikhul. Angling in the Kullu valley is possible at Larji, Katrain and Kasol.

Beas Kund is the lake from which the River Beas originates. It is considered holy and sacred. Besides being a holy pilgrimage place, it is a popular destination for trekking.
River Crossing over Beas is a popular sport in Manali

Manali is among the most popular adventure sports destinations in India. Manali offers opportunities for mountaineering, skiing, trekking, paragliding, white water rafting, river crossing and mountain biking. Yak skiing is a sport unique to this area.Manali also featured in Time magazine's "Best of Asia" for its "Extreme Yak Sports".

Trivia
Manali is also the name of an old district of Armenia c. 400-800

Many films have been shot in Manali including Henna, Laal Dupatta Malmal Ka, Krrish etc. In the month of May 2007 parts of the film Jab we Met were shot in Manali starring Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manali%2C_Himachal_Pradesh