Mana - Last Indian Village


Mana is one of the most popular attractions near Badrinath. It is the “Last Village of India” along the Tibetan Border; it is around 4 km from Badrinath. Mana is around 24 kms from Indo-China Border making it the last village of India.
Mana - Last Indian Village

Mana Village:

Mana is one of the most popular attractions near Badrinath. It is the “Last Village of India” along the Tibetan Border; it is around 4 km from Badrinath. Mana is around 24 kms from Indo-China Border making it the last village of India. It is interesting and amusing to find few Tea shops here suggesting “Last Tea shop of India”.
The inhabitants here belong to the Bhotia community. They live here in beautifully decorated small cottages. People weave woolen garments from sheep wool.You would find stalls and shops selling locally prepared winter wear (shawls, caps , mufflers etc) and carpets. You can also find thin and very warm wrap-around or blanket prepared from sheep wool locally called as "Pankhi". Mana is also known for it's kidney beans and potatoes.
During Winters Inhabitants of Mana Village migrate to lower regions as Mana becomes snow-clad. They return back on the onset of summers when the snow melts.
It is interesting and amusing to find few Tea shops here suggesting “Last Tea shop of India”.
Mana - Last Indian Tea Shop

Top Tourist attractions in Mana:

Mana Village lies on the banks of River Saraswati. Saraswati is believed to be originating near Mana. The river goes under ground and then believed to emerge at Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh and merge with Ganga and Yamuna. The confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati is called “Sangam” (literally meaning Confluence). Mana is the only place where you can witness Saraswati flowing on the ground. Very close to the visible part of Saraswati you can see a stream believed to be containing water from Mansarovar Lake in Tibet.

Bhim Pul: Bhim Pul is conjugation of giant rocks placed over the raging Saraswati  river to form a bridge. It is believed that one of the Pandava brothers named Bhim had placed the giant rock over the gorge (forming this natural bridge over the river) for her wife Draupadi as she was unable to cross the river. According to Hindu Mythology, this was the place where Pandava started their journey to heaven called Swargarohini. Right next to  the Bhim Pul, you can see a huge footprint shaped mark on a vertical rock, it is believed to be of Bhim.

Bhim Pul is conjugation of giant rocks placed over the raging Saraswati river to form a bridge. It is believed that one of the Pandava brothers named Bhim had placed the giant rock over the gorge (forming this natural bridge over the river) for her wife Draupadi as she was unable to cross the river. According to Hindu Mythology, this was the place where Pandava started their journey to heaven called Swargarohini.
Mana - Bhim Pul


Vyas Gufa  As the name suggest,  Ved Vyas the renowned scholar lived in this Cave while composing the four Vedas.. Vyas Gufa is a holy cave 5326 years old (as of 2018).This Cave is also believed to be the place where Sage Vyas composed the “Mahabharata” epic with the help of Lord Ganesha. A distinctive feature of this Cave is its roof, it resembles the pages of the Holy books that Mahrishi Ved Vyas created hence giving it the name “Vyas Pothi”. There is a small shrine in the Cave dedicated to Mahrishi Ved Vyas.

Ganesha Gufa: Ganesha Gufa or Ganesha Cave is a naturally formed cave. As per Hindu beliefs, it is said that Lord Ganesha penned “Mahabharata” in this cave as dictated by Mahishi Ved Vyas.This cave is located near famous Vyas Cave.

 Mata Murti Temple: Mata murti Temple is dedicated to Mother of Lord Narayan. According to legends Mata Murti requested Lord Vishnu to take birth as her son. Lord Vishnu fulfilling her wish took birth in form of twins Nar and Narayan. An annual fair is organised here in the month of August.

 Another major attraction Near Mana is Badrinath. For More Information on Badrinath Visit My Blog on Badrinath.


As the name suggest, Ved Vyas the renowned scholar lived in this Cave while composing the four Vedas.. Vyas Gufa is a holy cave 5326 years old (as of 2018).This Cave is also believed to be the place where Sage Vyas composed the “Mahabharata” epic with the help of Lord Ganesha. A distinctive feature of this Cave is its roof, it resembles the pages of the Holy books that Mahrishi Ved Vyas created hence giving it the name “Vyas Pothi”. There is a small shrine in the Cave dedicated to Mahrishi Ved Vyas.
Mana- Vyas Gufa or Vaya Cave

Treks from Mana:

Vasudhara Fall: Towards the west, 5 km further from Mana, a two hour trek will take you to Vasudhara Falls. Set in a backdrop of snowy peaks, glaciers and rocky heights, towards the west, with a sheer drop of 145 m is the Vasudhara Fall. It is believed that during exile, Pandavas had temporarily stayed here.Violent wind sometimes gives rise to lot of superstitious ideas to the locals when it seems to cease the waterfall for a minute spraying out the entire volume of water falling.

 Alkapuri: Alkananda is believed to originate at Alkapuri, from the glacier snouts of Bhagirath-Kharak and Satopanth glaciers. It is around 15 km from Badrinath via Mana and is supposed to be the abode of Kuber, Yaksha and Gandharvas.

Towards the west, 5 kms further from Mana, a two hour trek will take you to Vasudhara Falls. Set in a backdrop of snowy peaks, glaciers and rocky heights, towards the west, with a sheer drop of 145m is the Vasudhara Fall. It is believed that during exile, Pandavas had temporarily stayed here. Violent wind sometimes gives rise to lot of superstitious ideas to the locals when it seems to cease the waterfall for a minute spraying out the entire volume of water falling.
Mana - Vasudhara Fall


You can also do a multi-day trek to Satopanth Lake or Arwatal.

Satopanth Lake (4402 m): Satopanth Lake is a three cornered lake of serene water with a circumference of about a kilometer. It is around 25 km from Badrinath. The Hindu Triad Brahma,Vishnu and Mahesh is believed to occupy one corner each of the lake, and hence named after them. It is advisable to accompany a guide before venturing onto this trek as the trek is hazardous and full of dramatic scenes. Except for caves, there is no place to rest in between. You have to carry cooked food, stove etc from Badrinath itself.

Arwatal: Arwatal (3980 m) is around 35 km from Badrinath via Mana, Ghastoli and Arwa nala. It is a very rewarding trek for the more enterprising as you cross a number of streams through hazardous icy and snowy terrain. A guide is a must. Photography is prohibited in the Area.

 Mana Pass: Mana Pass is situated on the border of India and Tibet .The pass contains the Deotal Lake from which the Saraswati River originates. .It is prohibited for civilians to enter this area. You need special permit to go to this area.

Best time/season to Visit Mana:  

May-June, September- October July and August if you want to club Mana with Valley of Flowers.
(For More information on Valley of Flower,Visit My Blog on Valley Of Flowers)

Mana Temperature/ Mana Weather : 

Average Temperature of Mana for the months of May to October is between 18’C and 8’C. Mana has moderate weather in the months of May to June, it witnesses rainfall in the months July to September and is snow bound in the months of November to April.

Clothing for Mana: May to September: Light to Heavy Woolens, Rain cover in Months of July and August.
                                       October: Heavy Woolens
** Carry Vaseline and Sunscreens to save yourself from Sunburns and charred lips & cheeks. Also when you are travelling by road during rainy season in India carry heavy duty rain coats, rain paints, wind cheaters, rain resistant boots etc as there is heavy rain pour and only heavy duty rain resistance/cover will last. Carry clothes that dry soon so even if they get wet they dry quickly.

How to Reach Mana from Delhi:

Road Route– Delhi/Gurgaon--Rishikesh--Dev Prayag--Srinagar--Rudra Prayag--Joshimath--Govindghat--Badrinath--Mana
                      Delhi/Gurgaon--Kotdwara--Dev Prayag --Srinagar--Rudra Prayag--Joshimath--Govindghat--Badrinath--Mana

Train Route– Delhi--Rishikesh then by road further.
                      Delhi-- Kotdwar then by road further.
                      Delhi--Haridar/Dehradun  then by road to Rishikesh and further. No train route ahead of Rishikesh.
                      Nearest Railway station Rishikesh/Kotdwar.

Flight Route– Delhi--Dehradun (Jollygrant) then by road to Rishikesh and further. 

There are regular Buses for Badrinath from Delhi, Haridwar and Rishikesh. You might get shared taxis and Jeeps for Badrinath from Haridwar and Rishikesh.From Badrinath you can get shared jeeps etc for Mana.
Personal Cars and Bikes ply quite often.
Roads open between 8 am to 8 pm. Check post at Pandukeshwar (Near Joshimath) regulates and restricts traffic.

Distances:   Delhi to Badrinath: 537 km
                    Delhi to Rishikesh: 238 km
                    Delhi to Kotdwar: 219 km
                    Rishikesh to Joshimath : 254 km
                    Kotdwar to Joshimath : 278 km
                    Rishikesh to Dev Prayag : 74 km
                    Kotdwar to Dev Prayag :  98 km
                    Dev Prayag  to Srinagar: 38 km
                    Srinagar to Rudra Prayag:33 km
                    Rudra Prayag to Joshimath: 114 km
                    Joshimath to Govindghat: 21 km
                    Govindghat to Badrinath : 25 km
                    Badrinath to Mana : 4 km

Other Important Information about Mana:

Mana Altitude / Mana Height: 3200 m

Fooding /Lodging/Hotels on Mana route : Meals and Hotels available at Rishikesh, Dev Prayag , Srinagar, RudraPrayag,Joshimath, Govindghat, Badrinath etc. Hotels need to be pre booked during  peak season. GMVN Guest houses and Ashrams are also available.
Only Vegetarian food is available in Badrinath/Mana.You can easily get North Indian food.

***Life Savers: In case you don’t get booking anywhere or for last minute plans one can stay and dine at Gurudwaras at Rishikesh, Pankhi (“Gurudwara Sahib”,Garur ganga Distt. Joshimath), Joshimath, Govindghat (“Gurudwara Sri Govindghat”) etc. The Food (Prasad) and Lodging is free of cost.


Petrol Pumps on Mana route: Rishikesh, Dev Prayag , Srinagar, Joshimath etc.
Last Petrol Pump on Mana route: Joshimath.
ATMs on Mana route  available at: Rishikesh, Dev Prayag , Srinagar, Joshimath etc,
Last ATM on Badrinath route available at: Joshimath
Bike Repair Mechanics on Badrinath route available at : Rishikesh, Dev Prayag , Srinagar, Rudra Prayag, Joshimath.
Car Repair Mechanics on Badrinath route available at: Rishikesh, Srinagar, Joshimath.

Phone Network Connectivity: Phone Network is available till Joshimath. Limited network at Govindghat. No Network at Mana. One can get landline connectivity (if not hampered by weather) at Govindghat and  Badrinath.

Medical Care: Hospitals available at Rishikesh, Srinagar, Joshimath etc.Primary Health Care Centers also available at Badrinath. Elderly People/Kids might need oxygen due to mountain sickness.

Any Special Permission Needed by Indian Citizen to Visit Mana: No.

Places to Visit near Mana: Badrinath. For More Information on Badrinath Visit My Blog on Badrinath.




+ Disclaimer: Information provided above is based on self experience and collected from various other sources.

Location: Mana, Uttarakhand 246422, India

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Ankur Tandon
Hello World!!! I am Ankur Tandon. I am a Software Engineer with a passion to travel and explore new places. Working with industry majors like Google, PwC, TCS etc has given me the opportunity to roam around the world. I have visited around 12 countries, numerous cities and places. Here I share with you my travel experiences, and information about various places.Hopefully it will help you better plan your next trip. “Sayonara” “ Astalavista” “AU Revoir”.