Mana is India’s last village. It is 26 km from the India-Tibet border and 3 km from Badrinath.

Many people think Mana village and Mana pass are same. First, Mana village and Mana pass are different. Mana village is the India’s last village from the India-Tibet border. But Mana pass is a military area. Second, anyone and everyone can visit Mana village. But, for travelling to Mana pass, you need prior permission.

Many people know Mana as India’s last village. But few are aware that it was here that Rishi Vyas dictated the Mahabharat to Lord Ganesh. The Pandavas passed through here. Also, you can see the Saraswati river before it merges with the Alaknanda river.

If you are visiting the Char Dhams or are in Uttrakhand, I recommend visiting Mana village.

Mana village was once a remote village. But social media has ensured that it is not so. Anyone and everyone who has a social media account know Mana village. People visit the village during their trips to Uttrakhand.

In this guide, I will discuss the following topics-

• HOW TO GET TO MANA VILLAGE?
• PLACES TO VISIT IN MANA VILLAGE
• TREKS FROM MANA, INDIA’S LAST VILLAGE
• WHERE TO STAY?
• BEST TIME TO VISIT
• DAY TRIPS FROM MANA VILLAGE

HOW TO GET TO MANA, INDIA’S LAST VILLAGE?

Mana village is near Badrinath. However, there are no direct trains, buses or flights to the village. So shared cabs and self-driving are the best way to reach Mana.

AEROPLANES:- Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun is 310 km from Mana village. It is the nearest airport. You can take a shared cab directly to Mana. From here, there are no direct buses to Mana. You have to take the bus to Joshimath or Badrinath, and from there you can get a cab to the hamlet.

TRAINS:- Rishikesh is 293 km from Mana and is the nearest train station. Here you can find yourself a shared cab or bus. The buses go as far as Badrinath or Joshimath. After that, you need a taxi to reach Mana village.

ROADS:- All roads join at Rishikesh. Are you travelling from the South, East or West? It doesn’t matter. Rishikesh is the common point for all. From Rishikesh onwards, there is only one direct route. Rishikesh – Devprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Karnaprayag – Chamoli – Joshimath – Badrinath – Mana.

But if you are planning to visit other Char Dham temples first, your route may differ. Dehradun – Barkot – Janki Chatti – Yamunotri – Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Sonprayag – Kedarnath – Joshimath – Badrinath – Mana.

Are you planning a trip to Char Dham? Here’s a detailed Char Dham Yatra guide.

PLACES TO VISIT IN INDIA’S LAST VILLAGE

As you drive towards Mana, you will come across a giant board. It reads, “Last Indian village”. From here, the village entrance is a couple of minutes away. You have to park your vehicles and go on foot.

Mana is a small hamlet, but it has a lot to offer. Many people mostly want to visit the last tea stall. Aside from that, there are many sacred temples in Mana. It takes 2-3 hours to explore the tiny hamlet.

The village is in the mountains. There is a cement path that runs throughout the dwelling. You can easily find your way. You only have to follow the path.

Listed below are Mana’s must-visit places.

• Ganesh Gufa and mandir
• India’s last tea stall
• Vyas Gufa (cave)
• The Saraswati river
• The Bheem Pul (bridge)

During my visit, I encountered several tourists who visited The Pul first and then came to the tea stall. They were tired after the steep climb. So, visit the places as they are listed. You won’t be tired, and it is easy, especially for the elderly. Many might not understand why I am saying so. But, you will, when you visit.

THE GANESH GUFA AND MANDIR

The temple is a short distance from the village entrance. Follow the path till you reach a gateway. The temple is a few feet from there. A small flight of stairs leads to the temple and cave. This temple worships Lord Ganesh. There is a small cave adjacent to the temple.

There is a local legend- in this cave, Maharshi Vyas dictated the Mahabharat to Ganesh. They used the Sal tree’s bark for writing the Mahabharat and other scriptures. According to my guide, the area was once a forest and Sal trees were in abundance. However, now there is only one Sal tree in the village. You can see this tree on the left side of the stairs.

After visiting the temple, head straight. Follow the path to the tea stall. It is a few minutes from the Ganesh Mandir.

INDIA’S LAST TEA STALL

The tea stall marks one end of the village. There are no other shops beyond here. Therefore it is India’s last tea stall. It is a small shop over looking the settlement. From here you have spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the houses.

Everyone wants a picture with the shop’s board that reads, ” India’s last tea stall”. Also, many people enjoy a cup of tea before continuing. A hot cup of tea and beautiful scenery. What more could one ask?

The Vyas Gufa is right next to the shop.

VYAS GUFA

The Vyas Gufa is a cave adjacent to the last tea shop. This cave has a mythological significance. Ved Vyas resided in this cave, where he wrote the four Vedas. Therefore the name Vyas Gufa.

The cave is 5,000 plus years old. The cave’s exterior is rugged and resembles the pages of a book. Locals believe that the cave represents the 4 Vedas composed by Ved Vyas.

Inside the cave is a small shrine. Devotees make wishes and stick coins on the cave walls.

THE SARASWATI RIVER

The Saraswati river is sacred mentioned in the Rigveda, Puranas and many holy scriptures. The Saraswati river is visible only in Mana and flows underground. There are many legends and theories regarding the river’s disappearance.

Goddess Saraswati sprang from Brahma’s forehead. She was beautiful, and Brahma was captivated by her beauty. Saraswati was unhappy with Brahma’s affection and attention. So, she decided to hide. Saraswati is visible only at the places where she stopped to rest. Therefore the river is visible only at Mana village. It is one legend.

The other legend states, Ved Vyas was dictating the Mahabharat. He was in the middle of a vital section. Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge. Inspired by Ved Vyas’s comprehension, she flowed forcefully to express her excitement. The sound disrupted his train of thought. He requested she is quiet but to no avail. He was angry and cursed her that she would disappear. Therefore the river flows underground. She flows for a short distance and joins the Alaknanda River.

The icy blue water gushes down before it disappears. The river is visible from the Bheem Pul.

THE BHEEM PUL

The Pandavas and Draupadi had to cross the Saraswati river on their way to heaven. Bheem, the mightiest brother, placed a stone across the gorge. The Pandavas and Draupadi then crossed the Saraswati river.

If you look closely, Bheem’s massive handprint is visible on the side. The handprint is visible from the viewing point across the bridge.

There is another bridge, close to the Bheem Pul. You can’t walk on the Bheem Pul because it is dangerous. There is a gorge, and the Saraswati river gushes below.

There is another tea stall with a board that reads, “India’s last tea stall”. Technically this is the opposite village end. So this too is the last tea shop.

TREKS FROM MANA, INDIA’S LAST VILLAGE

Mana village is well known for two treks. The first is the Vasudhara falls, and the second is the Satopanth Lake trek.

NOTE:- This is not a sponsored post.

VASUDHARA FALLS TREK

The Vasudhara falls, a 10 km round trip from Mana. There is a path from the Bheem Pul that leads to the falls. The terrain is strenuous. It takes 5-6 hours for the entire ordeal. I recommended beginning the trek early morning and returning in the afternoon. I was unable to visit the falls due to time constraints. But, next time, I surely will.

There is a local belief — only the pure-hearted can witness the waterfall’s beauty. If an impure person visits, the waterfall changes course. Whether this is true or not, I don’t know. But it makes me want to test the theory.

SATOPANTH TAL TREK

The Satopanth Tal (lake) is a glacial lake at 15,100 ft. It is an arduous trek and takes a few days. If you undertake this trek, you need a guide. It is a popular trek. Many trekking companies organize expeditions to Satopanth lake, for example, India hikes.

Satopanth Tal is a sacred lake. Legend says, Vishnu, Brahma and Mahesh meditated on the three corners of the lake. On an auspicious day, they bathed here. Therefore it is holy. The other interesting fact about the lake is the rare birds found nowhere else. These birds are said to be Gandharvas, celestial creatures who clean the lake and protect it from evil.

DAY TRIPS FROM MANA, INDIA’S LAST VILLAGE

Mana village is 10 minutes from Badrinath. Therefore, visitors combine a trip to Badrinath and Mana village. If you have more time, there are other places to visit around Mana. There are several one-day trip destinations from Mana village. Listed below are the places you can explore from Mana.

• Badrinath temple
• Auli
• Narsingh Mandir
• Mana Pass

BADRINATH TEMPLE

Badrinath is one of the Char Dhams, and visitors either begin or end their Char Dham Yatra here. The Badrinath temple is on the banks of the Alaknanda River. The temple gets its named from Vishnu’s wife, who transformed into the Badri tree to protect Vishnu from the cold. It has Vishnu’s shrine, and therefore it is called Badrinath, meaning Badri’s husband.

Badrinath temple is open for six months. During winter, the Badrinath temple is inaccessible due to heavy snowfall. From November to April, the Badrinath temple remains closed. In November, the “Utsav Murti” of Lord Vishnu moves to Narsingh Mandir in Joshimath. This idol is here until the Badrinath temple reopens. During the summer, from May to October, the temple is open from 6 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 8 pm.

The temple is reachable on foot. It is a less than 300m from the parking area. Unlike Yamunotri and Kedarnath, Badrinath requires no trekking. Many visitors combine visits to Mana village and Badrinath temple.

NOTE:– Planning on visiting the Char Dham and having no clue what to do? Here’s a detailed guide to the Char Dhams.

AULI

Auli is a short drive from Joshimath. You can reach Auli by road or ropeway. People expect snow when visiting Auli. However, that’s not the case always. Auli experiences snow from December to March. The remaining months it is barren. But even without snow, it is worth a visit. Do you want peace while being surrounded by snow-capped mountains? Then travel to Auli.

The ropeway ticket costs Rs. 1,000 per adult. It takes 10 minutes to reach the top. The only disadvantage is that a minimum of 10 people is required, for operating the ropeway. If you have your vehicles, you can drive up to the top.

During winters the roads are jam-packed with vehicles. And there is a queue for the ropeway. Large crowds are visiting the winter wonderland.

THE NARSINGH MANDIR

During winter, the Utsav Murti of Lord Vishnu moves to the Narsingh Mandir in Joshimath from Badrinath. The temple idolizes, Narasimha, Vishnu’s fourth avatar. He was half man and half lion. Vishnu took this avatar, to save his devotee Prahlad from the demon, Hiranyakashyap.

There are 108 Divya Desams of Visnu. The Narsingh Mandir is a Divya Desam, meaning Vishnu’s divine place of abode. Apart from Narsimha, there are other idols in the temple, for example, Ram, Sita, Hanuman, Garuda, Kuber, Badrinath and Uddhav. The statue of Narsimha belongs to the 8th century. An interesting fact is the idol’s hand is shrinking. There is an age-old prophecy. When the idol’s hand falls off, there will be a landslide, which will block the route to Badrinath forever.

The temple is open for all, from 6 am to 7:30 pm. You can get here by road or on foot. It is a short walk to the temple from the Tattva hotel.

MANA PASS

Mana pass was a trade route between India and Tibet and is the world’s highest motorable road. it is a military zone, so, therefore, access is limited. Not everyone can go to Mana Pass. You need prior permissions to travel to Mana pass.

You will need the following permits to visit Mana Pass.  

• An inner line permit from the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
• A Non-objection Certificate from the ITBM and army for visiting Deo Tal.
• A medical certificate from a certified doctor.

Even if you have all the necessary permits, the army has the right to deny you entry. Unfortunately, I was denied permission and couldn’t go. But if you do get the chance, there are lakes to visit along the world’s highest motorable road. Deo Tal is a sacred lake because the Saraswati River originates from here. The lake stays frozen for 11 months and thaws in September. Deo Tal is known as the “Lake of Gods”. It is a must-visit when travelling to Mana Pass.

BEST TIME TO VISIT MANA VILLAGE

Mana is a hamlet in the Himalayas. India’s last village is accessible from March/April to November. The best time to visit Mana is from October end to mid-November. The Char Dham temples are about to close for the winter. So there are fewer people. You never know! You might get to experience the first snow. From December to March, the roads to Mana are closed due to heavy snowfall. Even the locals move to lower altitudes during these months.

Mana was once a remote village. But its rising popularity has created an influx of visitors. From April to June, you can expect large crowds. If crowds don’t bother you, this is the right time to visit Mana.

But, avoid travelling to Mana village from June to September because there is a high probability of landslides. Fewer people travel during these months.

WHERE TO STAY?

Visitors usually stay in Joshimath or Badrinath and travel to Mana. I’m not sure if there are any accommodations in this tiny hamlet, but you can ask the locals. Joshimath and Badrinath have numerous guesthouses and homestays. Joshimath has better options than Badrinath. Listed below are a few accommodation options.

• THE TATTVA
  Of all the accommodations in Char Dhams, The Tattva is the best. It is a boutique hotel in Joshimath. They have small rooms and deluxe suites with balconies and offer double and triple sharing. The daytime view isn’t much, but at night the city glitters. The staff is kind and helpful. They have adequate parking space. The market, Auli ropeway and Narsingh temple are close to the hotel. The hotel is a bit pricey. But compared to other accommodations, it’s worth the money. I highly recommend staying here for a comfortable stay. They are planning on opening a new hotel in Badrinath.

• GMVN TOURIST REST HOUSE DEVLOK HOTEL
  Are you looking for comfortable stay at affordable prices? Then GMVN rest houses are just the place. You can book rooms online at any GMVN rest house in Uttrakhand. This GMVN res house is 2 minutes from the Badrinath temple. It is a small property, but it is well-maintained. The staff is courteous and well-trained. They also have ample parking space.

• HOTEL UDAY PALACE
  The hotel Uday Palace is a small establishment in Joshimath. From the outside, the hotel is not much to look at. They have deluxe rooms overlooking the houses and mountains. The rooms are adequate-sized and clean and are double or triple sharing. Narsingh Mandir and the market are near. They have parking space. It is one of the decent accommodations in Joshimath.

CONCLUSION TO INDIA’S LAST VILLAGE

In this guide, I have tried to cover all the relevant topics. I hope this is helpful when you plan a trip to India’s last village, Mana village. Due to the influx of visitors, developments are going on in Mana village. So visit Mana before it loses its natural beauty.

Other than the Char Dhams, there are other breathtaking places in Uttrakhand. Have you been to the Triyuginarayan temple, where Lord Shiva and Parvati were married? Or have to walk on the wooden bridge in the Along valley? If not, then here are detailed guides to all these off-beat places in Uttrakhand.

I hope this ignites your wanderlust because

To travel is to live.

hans Christian Anderson