Nomad Saikat
There are a few locations in India that offer a varied taste in terms of exploration, natural beauty as well as historical relevance. The Mana Pass is one such location that lies in India. If you are wondering Mana Pass in which state, then it is located in the beautiful state of Uttarakhand. This is a mountainous pass which is also one of the highest motorable passes in the country. However this is not like any other location. As visiting this location would require a lot of zeal, enthusiasm and hard work. The region is not something that you can access very easily. From high elevation to weather to permit issues a lot of hurdles do come in between. However if you are passionate enough you can achieve it all.
The location of Mana Pass is one of a kind with its beauty. The whole journey will be a thrilling ride in itself. And if you are ready to get on to that exciting journey then keep on reading this article. In this article I will mention everything that you probably need to know before planning your journey to this Pass. This will be a helpful read for you if you are determined to visit this jaw dropping location in Uttarakhand.
Mana Pass Uttarakhand
Mana Pass is located in which state?
The Mana Pass is an ancient route located in the state of Uttarakhand.
Overview of Mana Pass
The Mana Pass is one of the highest motorable passes in the world. Mana Pass height is 5632 meters above sea level and there are other names of this pass like Mana La, Dungri La, Chirbit La. Located in the Himalayas this pass is situated in the very beautiful Mana village very close to the holy town of Badrinath. Mana Pass elevation of 18, 458 feet makes it an alluring spot located in the India China border. The Mana Pass connects Tibet in China with Uttarakhand in India. One of the highest roads in the country, it is located within the Nanda Devi Biosphere of the Zanskar Mountain Range.
The Mana Village is the last Indian village located on the border of Tibet. What makes it special is also its very close proximity to Badrinath which is only 4.4 km away. It would hardly take around 10 minutes to reach Badrinath from the Mana Village. Mana village to Mana Pass distance is 47.5 km and via the Mana Pass Road it would take around 1 and a half hours to reach the Mana Pass from the village.
This highest motorable pass, unlike many other passes, is fully paved. While most other passes have a rocky road with pebbles across this roadway is comparatively easier to take a drive. The Border Roads Organization (BRO) had constructed this road in India during the period of 2005- 2010 for the access of the Indian military. Everyone will not be allowed to visit this location because of its close proximity to the border. You will need an Inner Line Permit to visit this location. At one point of time this pass was an important trade route between India and China. However after the war of 1962 this pass remained closed.
What’s more?
Mana is basically a quaint village with a sparse population. Located at an altitude of 3219 meters above sea level the Mana Village in itself is a picturesque location. The ambiance of this spot is tranquil with a clear sky. What makes this location even more special is that this is the region of origin of the Saraswati River. There is a lake here, Deo Tal which is located on top of the Mana Pass. According to beliefs this is the origin of the mythical river Saraswati and therefore this is a sacred spot as well. You can also spot Rajas Tal and Nag Tal on either side of the road before Deo Tal. Deo Tal is located only 3 km away from the Mana Pass Zero Point.
Icy peaks surround this lake and during most of the time of the year this lake remains frozen. Only during the month of September this lake flows. Literally this lake in Sanskrit translates to the Lake of the Gods. This lake is also popular as Dev Tal or Lake of Lords.
History of Mana Pass
At one point of time in history the Mana Pass was one of the ancient important trade routes between Tibet and India that went through the state of Uttarakhand. It leads from Badrinath to the Guge town in Tibet. In 1624 two Portuguese namely Jesuits Antonio de Andrade and Manuel Marques entered Tibet through the Mana Pass. Till 1951 this trade route was totally functional, brimming to its full glory. But later the China government shut it down. Both India and China authorities signed an agreement that allowed pilgrims as well as travelers to access the Mana Pass in 1954.
How to reach Mana Pass
By air
If you are travelling by air then the nearest airport to reach the pass is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. From Dehradun to Mana Village distance is 309 km and it takes around 9 hours to reach there by road.
By train
The nearest railway station to reach the pass is Haridwar Railway Station. From there you can easily get cabs to reach the Mana Village. Haridwar to the distance of the pass is about 316 km.
From Badrinath to Mana Pass there is a road that goes through the Mana Village. However to reach here Mana Pass permit is required. There is a checkpoint of ITBP and there the permits will be verified. And only then you will get access to visit the Mana Pass. The route map looks somewhat like this.
From Badrinath to Mana Village, to Gastoli at 3692 meters, to Rattakona at 4817 meters, to Jagraon at 5019 meters, Deo Tal at 5471 meters, and finally Mana Pass at 5545 meters. After the Mana Village all the other locations are Check posts.
Mana Pass Permit
The Mana Pass is not open for the civilians and beyond Gastoli no one is allowed. However if you can obtain an Inner Line Permit only then it would be possible for you to visit here. You can get the Inner Line Permit from the SDM Joshimath and along with that a NOC Certificate is also required that you should get from the Indo- Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Army to reach Deo Tal and the Mana Pass. Please note that even after you have the permit the army may not allow you to enter the area. It totally depends on their discretions. Not everyone will get this permit. Especially for tourists, permits are not given to everyone. Only with some exceptions will they hand it over.
Best time to visit Mana Pass
Mana Pass temperature is critical during the winter and the roads are inaccessible during colder months from September to April. This is the time when Mana Pass weather is even too harsh for the inhabitants there. Due to excessive snowfall even they relocate to villages in lower altitudes for six months. Again during summer they relocate back to the village. The ideal time for visiting a location like this is after the winter season. From June to August the roads remain in better condition so you can visit here during that time. Before June also you can visit just before the rain starts and you might get to see some snow too.
You should avoid visiting in the month of July as it is the peak month for rainfall. The rains are not too high at such a high altitude location. But the way to reach the location will be risky. There are chances of landslides as well during the monsoon. The best month to visit here is August when the sky remains clear and the snow clears out too. If you visit mid-September usually snowfall starts occurring. So plan your visit accordingly.
Things to remember before visiting Mana Pass
- Inner Line Permit is a must to visit the location from the District Authority. Along with that permission from the Army and Police also is a must.
- Before travelling here you should get proper medical checkups done. Only if the doctor feels you are fit enough to visit a location of such higher altitude then only you can move forward with the journey.
- For people with heart ailments or severe breathing issues, it is advisable to not visit here.
- A proper acclimatization is absolutely necessary before moving forward from Badrinath. Try to stay at other low altitude locations and then you will get seasoned with the weather first before going forward with the journey.
- Photography and videography is strictly something that the authorities don’t allow here due to the sensitive location. You cannot carry mobile phones or cameras or other recording devices beyond the Mana Village.
Wrapping Up!
Locations like this Pass are not everyone’s cup of tea. For people who love adventure, thrill and challenges for their journey this location is perfect for them. The tranquil view, the ambience of the location and the thrill at such a higher elevated location makes this a thrilling destination. However, even the journey to reach this destination is equally interesting and thrilling. So if you are one such adventure buff looking for some adventure in life, you can explore this option for sure. Visiting the beautiful Pass can remain one of your most cherished journeys in life.
Do let me know when you are planning a trip to this gorgeous location. Also do not forget to let me know if this particular article on Mana Pass is helpful for you in knowing everything about this spot. I hope this article is helpful for you in planning your trip to this pass.
