Manali (Hindi: ) at altitude of 1,950m (6,400ft) in the Beas River valley is an important hill station in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, India, near the northern end of the Kullu Valley. It is located about 250km (160mi) north of state capital, Shimla. Manali with population of approx. 30,000 is administratively a part of the Kullu district. 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 the surrounding area is of great significance to Indian culture and heritage as it is said to be the home of the Saptarishi, or Seven Sages. Manali is located at 32.2396 N, 77.1887 E, about 40km (25mi) north of Kullu town. The town ranges in elevation from 1,800m (5,900ft) to 2,000m (6,600ft) in the uppermost "Old Manali" section. Manali is a small town. People from different parts of India have settled here. As of 2001 India census, Manali had a population of 6265....
