Mana Village was formerly known as the last Indian village, but from May Mana is now the first Village of India. Mana village is now the first village in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is one of the most beautiful border villages in India. Just 3 Km from the Mana Village, Badrinath Dham is located. Badrinath is one of the holy Cham Dham located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
This beautiful village is situated at an altitude of 3,200 meters above sea level, Mana is the first village on the Indian side of the Indo-Tibetan border. The village is surrounded by snow-clad Himalayan peaks and river Saraswati and Alaknanda emerges nearby Mana village. It has historic importance and mythological stories from the Mahabharata era. Mana village is one of the popular tourist destinations nearby Badrinath Chamoli. If you are in Badrinath then you must visit this beautiful village. It is an ideal destination for village culture lovers, photographers and nature lovers. There is a 1st Indian tea shop at Mana Village and tourists take selfied at this shop. The village is developed to promote border tourism and in recent years the number of tourists is increasing day by day.
There are many other historic and famous locations nearby Mana Village you must visit. Some of the locations nearby Mana Village are discussed below in the article.
One of the most popular attractions in Mana is the Bheem Pul, which is a natural rock bridge over the Saraswati River. It is believed that Bheema, one of the Pandavas, lifted a massive rock to create a bridge over the river, and it is named after him. Visitors can also see the Ganesh Gufa, a cave where Lord Ganesha is believed to have written the epic Mahabharata as dictated by Veda Vyasa.
Another must-see attraction in Mana is the Vasudhara Falls, located about 5 km from the village. The waterfall cascades down from a height of 400 feet and is a popular trekking destination. The trek to the falls is quite challenging, but the views of the Himalayas and the surrounding landscape are worth the effort.
The village of Mana is also known for its unique culture and traditions. The locals speak a dialect of the Garhwali language and have their own set of customs and beliefs. Visitors can experience the local way of life by staying in homestays and interacting with the villagers.
In recent years, Mana Village has become a popular destination for trekkers and adventure enthusiasts. Govt. of Uttarakhand has developed this village keeping Village and Border tourism in mind, which is a good thing. The village is the starting point for several popular treks to the Himalayan peaks, and treks such as the Vasudhara trek. Vasudhara is just 3 Km away from Mana village.
Facts about Mana Village
In Hindu mythology, Mana village has a description and it is considered a holy place. It is believed that Pandavas passed through the Mana location during their journey to heaven. There is a famous stone bridge named Bheem Pul. After crossing the Bheem Pul there is a route to Vasudhara Falls, which is another best place to visit nearby Mana and Badrinath.
Mana is steeped in history and mythology, and there are many legends associated with this village. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that the Pandavas of the Mahabharata epic passed through this village on their way to heaven. The village is also home to the revered Vyas Gufa, where the ancient sage Veda Vyasa is said to have composed the epic Mahabharata.
7 Places to visit in Mana Village
1 – Neelkanth Parvat
Neel Kanth Peak is one of the most beautiful peaks in Badrinath Dham, the height of Neelkanth Peak is 6,597 meters above sea level it is known as the “Queen of Garhwal”. The holy temple of Badri Narayan can be seen from this peak. Brahmkamal flowers can also be seen from here clearly. Neelkanth Peak is situated just above the Badrinath temple.
Neelkanth Parvat is also a sacred site for Hindus, as it is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. According to legends, Lord Shiva consumed poison during the churning of the ocean, which turned his throat blue, giving him the name Neelkanth. The peak is also home to several ancient temples and shrines that attract many devotees.
2 – Tapt Kund
Tupt Kund is a natural hot water spring in Badrinath Dham which is nearby Mana Village, and it is believed that the hot water comes directly from the feet of Lord Vishnu also named Shri Badri Narayana. If you are in Badrinath then you must dive into this holy Tapt Kund once. It is also believed that the Tapt Kund has medicinal value and it removes many skin diseases.
3 – Mata Murti Temple
This temple is also located near Badrinath Dham and this temple is devoted to the mother of Lord Narayana. According to legends and historians, Mata Murti requested Lord Vishnu to take birth to her son during the era. Lord Vishnu granted her this wish by taking birth in the form of twins Nar and Narayan.
4 – Vasudhara
Vasudhara is a waterfall that is approx 9 Km away from Badrinath temple and 6 Km from Mana village. It is believed that this holy place was the temporary stay point of Pandavas during their exile. The view of Vasudhara River valley gives panoramic views of the great Himalayas and other peaks and beautiful mountains.
5 – Vyas Gufa
Vyas Gufa is located just above the MANA village and it is believed that in ancient times Maharshi Ved Vyas lived here while they were composing the four Vedas. This holy cave is now converted into a temple and this cave is nearby the 1st tea shop in Mana village. There are 4 Vedas in the Hindu religion. The distinct feature of this cave is the roof of the Ved Vyas Gufa which resembles the pages from Ved Vyas’s collection of his Holy Books. There is a small temple in the cave dedicated to Maharshi Ved Vyas, and it is believed that the cave is 5000 years old.
6 – Ganesh Gufa
It is another holy place to visit in Mana Badrinath. At this holy place, Lord Ganesha dictated Mahabharata to Shri Ved Vyas. This cave is located nearby the confluence of the Saraswati and Alaknanda rivers nearby Mana village. It is believed that Lord Ganesha lived here in the ancient period of Mahabharata.
7 – Bheem Pul
Bheem Pul has a historic story, it is believed that this stone bridge was built by Bheem of Mahabharata. Basically, it is a very big piece of rock that was put by Bheem over the Saraswati River to cross the river during their yatra to heaven. It is said by historians that this rock was placed by Bheem to make the way for Draupadi to cross the river during their journey to heaven.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mana is a hidden gem in Uttarakhand that should not be missed. With its stunning natural beauty, rich history and mythology, and unique culture, it is a destination that will leave a lasting impression on any traveler. So pack your bags and head to Mana for an unforgettable adventure!
Location of Mana Village
Mana Village has located 5 Km from Badrinath and is well-connected with the national Highway 7.
Mana village is famous for Bheem Pul, woolen garments, and materials. The woolen garments are mostly made of sheep wool, you can also buy mufflers, ashan, pankhis, shawls, caps, carpets, and other products from Mana village.
Mana village is situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand at an elevation of 3200 meters. Mana village lies on the holy riverbank of the Sarawati river and it is located 3 Km from Badrinath Dham. The Indo – Tibet Border(Tibet that was occupied by the People’s Republic of China in 1948), is just 24 Km from Mana village. That’s why it is the last village in India.
Mana Village can only be visited during summer and monsoon season, during winter the whole area gets covered with heavy snow. Mana village opens with the opening of Badrinath Yatra. The village is in a very remote location and experiences heavy snowfall during winter.
China border is just 24 Km from Mana village. But currently, tourists and others can visit only up to Mana village. But the Uttarakhand government is working on developing border tourism. Hope we will travel up to the Indo- China border in the near future under the border tourism scheme of govt.
Mana is the last Indian village which is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and it is situated at a height of 3118 meters above sea level.
Tourists are not allowed to venture beyond the village and into the restricted areas near the Indo-China border without prior permission from the authorities. It is important to respect these restrictions and follow the rules and regulations while visiting the village.
Yes, you can buy souvenirs such as handmade woolen clothes, shawls, and caps, as well as local handicrafts and artifacts in Mana Village. However, it is important to bargain and negotiate the prices before making a purchase.
Mana Village is predominantly a Hindu community, and the locals follow their traditional customs and practices. It is important to respect their religious beliefs and follow the local customs while visiting the village.
Yes, Mana Village is generally considered safe for tourists. However, it is important to follow basic safety precautions and be aware of the weather conditions and the local customs and traditions.
There are limited accommodation options in Mana Village, mainly consisting of guesthouses and homestays. It is advisable to book your accommodation in advance, especially during peak tourist season.
The nearest airport to Mana Village is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is around 260 km away. From Dehradun, you can take a helicopter to Gauchar and then travel via road, which is the only option after that. The nearest railway station is in Rishikesh, which is about 240 km away. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Mana Village.
The best time to visit Mana Village is from April to June and from September to November when the weather is pleasant and the roads are accessible. However, the village remains cut off from the rest of the world during the winter months due to heavy snowfall.
Mana Village is known for its natural beauty and religious significance. The village is home to the famous Vyas Gufa, which is believed to be the cave where Sage Vyas composed the Mahabharata. Other popular attractions include the Bhim Pul, Ganesh Gufa, and Vasundhara Waterfalls.