Down Memory Lane In Manali

When I was seven, I lived in Manali for a year and a half. My favorite memories from that time are of seeing my first snowfall and getting our first dog. Apart from that, we had only experienced all the usual spots on a tourist’s checklist—the Hadimba temple, Manikaran hot springs and the Rohtang pass. When I got a chance to revisit this place from my childhood, after a gap of 23 years, I naturally jumped at the opportunity!

- Neha Kirpal

Going back to this picturesque town was indeed a trip down memory lane. The Mall road in downtown Manali looked bustling as before, but still seemed small— just as I remembered it. I visited my old school—Day Star Academy. The school seemed much smaller than what I remembered (perhaps because I was a lot younger when I was a student there!).

The most special trip down memory lane was reserved for a visit to Span Resorts. This was the hotel property situated on the rocky banks of the River Beas that my father had run earlier and this is where I had lived. But the property had expanded a lot since I last saw it—new deluxe rooms, a therapeutic spa, and now even boasted of a private helipad! I ran into old acquaintances at the hotel and at an idyllic family-run restaurant called Fat Plate. Using ingredients from their in-house garden, the restaurant was a real find for anyone longing for delectable home style food and this further added to the nostalgic appeal.

In many ways, I found that despite the fact that two decades had gone by, Manali still managed to retain its untouched serenity—a rare quality not found in most north Indian hill stations. Certainly, there has been change, but it’s mostly positive.