Manali has been named after Brahmas appointed lawgiver Manu, who is said to have arrived in this region to begin the seventh cycle of creation and destruction. The region is also said to be the home of the seven great sages of the Hindu religion. According to the Puranas there existed seven Manus and the first of them being Swayambhuva was self- born. The other six others that followed the foremost Adi Manu were known as : Svarocica, Auttmi, Tamasa, Raivata, Caksusa and Vaivasvata. The creation of the world is attributed to the Adi Manu who after having created all moving and stationery beings, ruled over them; likewise each of the succeeding Manus held sway over their respective areas.

Offering views of a deep gorge through which River Beas flows; and the Rahalla Falls. Apart from being a hill station, there are also several other attractions that are an integral part of Manali tourism. The Hadimba Temple built in 1533 AD is dedicated to Hadimba, the wife of Bhima who was one of the Pandavas. The Manu Temple dedicated to the sage and lawgiver Manu is located in old Manali.
The Vasishta Temple dedicated to Lord Rama and Sage Vasishta is known for its hot springs. The nearby town of Jagatsukh is home to a few old temples dedicated to Shiva and Sandhya Gayatri. Manali is a haven for adventure sports enthusiasts. The hill station offers ample opportunities for tourists to participate in activities like skiing, paragliding, trekking, river rafting and fishing.