Mana Village sits about 3 km north of Badrinath in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, at roughly 3,200 m (10,500 ft) on the banks of the Saraswati river, close to the India-Tibet border. It is a Bhotia and Marchha settlement that the government has, since 2022, signposted as India’s “first village” rather than the last. People come for the Vyas Gufa and Ganesh Gufa caves, the Bhim Pul rock bridge and the trailhead to Vasudhara Falls.
Mana Village is a high-altitude border settlement in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, about 3 km beyond Badrinath at around 3,200 m. The government has signposted it as India’s first village, and it draws travellers for the Vyas Gufa and Ganesh Gufa caves, the Bhim Pul natural rock bridge over the roaring Saraswati, and the trek to Vasudhara Falls.
Key takeaways
- Mana Village lies in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, roughly 3 km north of Badrinath at about 3,200 m (10,500 ft), on the Saraswati river near the India-Tibet border.
- The Border Roads Organisation put up a signboard calling Mana “India’s first village”; news reports dated the sign to April 2023, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it the country’s first village at a Mana event on 21 October 2022.
- The village is open to Indian visitors without a permit as a day trip; the area beyond Mana towards Mana Pass is a restricted border zone needing special permission, per travel and administrative sources as of October 2026.
- Best visited from May to October, while the Badrinath shrine is open; the whole area shuts for winter with the temple and is snowbound.
- Vasudhara Falls, about 9 km from Badrinath and reached on foot from Mana, drops some 400 ft (120 m), according to Harshwanti Bisht’s 1994 study cited by Wikipedia.
- Nearest railhead is Rishikesh (about 297 km from Badrinath) and nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun (about 317 km), per the Chamoli district administration.
About Mana Village
Mana Village is the last roadhead settlement on the Indian side of the border in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, lying about 3 km north of the Badrinath temple at roughly 3,200 m (10,500 ft). It stands where the Saraswati river meets the Alaknanda, in a treeless, high valley ringed by Himalayan peaks.
The village is home to the Bhotia community, including the Marchha group, who historically traded wool across the passes into Tibet. After the India-China border closed following the 1962 war, that cross-border trade ended and the community turned more fully to wool weaving and, in summer, to tourism tied to the Badrinath pilgrimage.
Mana is a seasonal village in the fullest sense. Families live here through the warm months and move down to lower villages such as Ghingran for winter, when snow seals the valley. For a well-read traveller it rewards a slow half-day on foot rather than a quick photo stop.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Chamoli district, Uttarakhand |
| Altitude | About 3,200 m (10,500 ft) |
| Distance from Badrinath | About 3 km (sources vary, 3-5 km) |
| River | Saraswati, meeting the Alaknanda nearby |
| Community | Bhotia and Marchha |
| Known for | Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bhim Pul, woollens, Vasudhara trailhead |
| Best season | May to October, while Badrinath is open |
| Access | Day visit; closed in winter with Badrinath |
The “first village of India” story
Mana is now signposted as “India’s first village” rather than the last, a rebrand led by the central government since 2022. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) installed a signboard reading “India’s first village” at the entrance to Mana; news reports carried the sign news around 24 April 2023, according to Drishti IAS.
The phrasing traces to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who at a programme in Mana on 21 October 2022 called it the first village of the country instead of India’s last village, and said border villages should be seen as the country’s first villages. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami shared the change on social media and linked it to the Vibrant Villages Programme, a scheme aimed at developing border settlements and slowing out-migration.
In practice, both identities survive on the ground. Travel writers note that signboards near the village tea stalls still carry both “last” and “first” labels, so visitors should treat “first village” as an official rebrand of recent years rather than a change of geography. The village is the same place long known as India’s last village before Badrinath’s border.
Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa and the Mahabharata legends
Mana’s two famous caves, Vyas Gufa and Ganesh Gufa, are tied to the Mahabharata by local and Hindu tradition. According to belief, Vyas Gufa is where the sage Ved Vyasa composed the epic, while in the nearby Ganesh Gufa the god Ganesha is said to have written it down as Vyasa dictated, using his broken tusk as a pen. These are devotional accounts, not documented history.
The caves are small, natural rock shelters a short walk above the village. Tradition holds that the striated rock above Vyas Gufa resembles the pages of a manuscript, which believers connect to the Vedas and the Puranas said to have been arranged by Vyasa. A small shrine sits inside.
Treat the legends respectfully as living faith. For many Indian visitors, Mana is first a pilgrimage extension of Badrinath and only second a scenic village, and the caves are places of worship rather than sightseeing props.
Bhim Pul and the Saraswati river
Bhim Pul is a natural rock slab that bridges the Saraswati river just above Mana, where the water forces through a narrow gorge with real power. According to local belief, during the Pandavas’ final journey Bhima laid a huge boulder across the torrent so that Draupadi could cross, giving the bridge its name. Stand on it and the roar of the Saraswati below is the main event.
The Saraswati here is a short, fierce river. Tradition holds that it is visible for only about 100 m near Mana before it goes underground, which is why devotees link it to the “hidden” Saraswati of myth. Just downstream it joins the Alaknanda, which flows on past Badrinath. Keep well back from wet rocks at the edge; the current is dangerous.
Bhotia culture, woollens and the last tea shop
Mana’s residents are a Bhotia community whose craft tradition centres on wool. With the old Tibet trade gone, weaving became both livelihood and identity, and you can often see wool being spun and woven in summer. The village sells shawls, caps, socks, carpets and other woollen goods; buying directly supports the makers, though you should expect handmade pricing rather than market rates.
Near Bhim Pul stands a small tea stall long billed as “India’s last tea shop”, a title now echoed by “first tea shop” signs since the rebrand. Travel writers have described it being run for decades by a local family, serving hot tea, including tulsi (holy basil) tea and Maggi noodles, to walkers heading to Vasudhara. It is a modest roadside stall, not a cafe.
Please photograph people only with their consent, and remember that Mana is a lived-in community, not an exhibit. Homes, shrines and workplaces deserve the same courtesy you would want shown to your own.
Top things to see and do
The core sights cluster within an easy walk of the Mana roadhead, so most travellers cover them on foot in two to three hours. The table below summarises each with its approximate walk from the village and the time to allow; longer treks start from the same point.
| Spot | What it is | From Mana | Time to allow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vyas Gufa | Cave shrine tied to sage Ved Vyasa (belief) | Short uphill walk | 20-30 min |
| Ganesh Gufa | Cave shrine linked to Ganesha (belief) | Near Vyas Gufa | 15 min |
| Bhim Pul | Natural rock bridge over the Saraswati | About 1 km uphill | 30 min |
| Last/first tea shop | Roadside tea stall near Bhim Pul | At Bhim Pul | 20 min |
| Vasudhara Falls | High waterfall, moderate trek | About 6 km one way | 5-7 hr round trip |
| Saraswati temple | Small riverside shrine | Near Bhim Pul | 15 min |
Vasudhara Falls and the Satopanth trek
Vasudhara Falls is a high waterfall about 9 km from Badrinath, reached on foot from Mana, that drops roughly 400 ft (120 m), according to Harshwanti Bisht’s 1994 study cited by Wikipedia. The trek begins near Bhim Pul and climbs a stony, open trail with grass and shrubs; Wikipedia puts the walk at about three hours one way from Mana, with the falls sitting high above the Alaknanda valley.
The path is moderate but exposed and gains height at altitude, so pace yourself, carry water and start early to be back before afternoon weather turns. Most guides advise walking up from Badrinath to Mana first to help acclimatise, rather than arriving straight from the plains and trekking the same day.
Beyond Vasudhara, the long trek to Satopanth Tal, a glacial lake about 25 km from Badrinath per Wikipedia, is a multi-day, high-altitude route for experienced trekkers with guides and permissions, not a casual add-on. Treat it as a planned expedition.
Best time to visit Mana Village
The best time to visit Mana Village is from May to October, the months when the Badrinath shrine is open and the road is clear of snow. The village closes in winter along with Badrinath, when heavy snow seals the valley and residents move to lower settlements. There is no winter access for ordinary visitors.
For 2026, the Badrinath portals opened on 23 April at 6:15 am, per All India Radio (newsonair.gov.in). The winter closing date is announced each year on Vijayadashami; in 2025 the shrine closed on 25 November. Plan Mana around the open season and reconfirm the current year’s dates before booking.
| Period | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| May to June | Pleasant days, cold nights | Peak pilgrimage; book stays early |
| July to August | Monsoon, cool and misty | Landslide and roadblock risk on the highway |
| September to October | Clear skies, crisp air | Fine for trekking; nights near freezing |
| November to April | Snowbound, shrine shut | Village and Badrinath closed to visitors |
How to reach Mana Village
Reaching Mana means first reaching Badrinath, then driving or walking the last 3 km. The nearest railhead is Rishikesh, about 297 km from Badrinath, and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant at Dehradun, about 317 km, according to the Chamoli district administration. From either, you travel by road up the Alaknanda valley through Joshimath.
By air, fly to Dehradun (Jolly Grant), then take a taxi or bus. By rail, Rishikesh is the usual railhead, though some travellers prefer Haridwar for more train options and continue by road. By road, buses and shared taxis run from Rishikesh and Haridwar to Badrinath along National Highway 7 (the old NH 58); Joshimath, roughly 45 km below Badrinath, is the main overnight and transport hub on the way.
From Badrinath, local taxis cover the short hop to the Mana roadhead, or you can walk it in under an hour, which also helps with acclimatisation. The final stretch is a simple village lane, not a trek.
| From | Distance to Badrinath | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh (nearest railhead) | About 297 km | Bus or taxi |
| Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun | About 317 km | Taxi or bus |
| Haridwar | About 320 km | Bus or taxi |
| Dehradun city | About 340 km | Bus or taxi |
| Delhi | About 530 km | Bus or taxi |
| Badrinath to Mana | About 3 km | Taxi or on foot |
Where to stay and what to eat
You stay in Badrinath, not in Mana, which is a day-visit village with only limited, seasonal homestays. Badrinath has a spread of options, from the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee’s pilgrim lodging and the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) tourist rest house to private dharamshalas, guesthouses and small hotels. In peak pilgrimage months, book well ahead, as rooms fill fast and rates rise.
A few Mana families offer basic summer homestays, which can be a quiet, local alternative, but do not count on them; confirm in advance and keep expectations simple, with shared facilities and no heating. Carry warm bedding advice from your host seriously.
For food, both Mana and Badrinath are vegetarian and simple. Expect dal, rice, roti, rajma (red kidney beans, a local crop), aloo (potato) dishes, and hot chai. At Mana’s tea stall, people stop for tulsi (holy basil) tea, plain chai and Maggi (instant noodles). Local rajma and herbs are a genuine Chamoli speciality worth trying.
Budget for a Mana and Badrinath trip
A Mana visit costs little on its own, since entry is free; the real spend is reaching and staying at Badrinath. The figures below are indicative planning estimates and should be reconfirmed, as live tariffs change by season and demand. They assume one person, two nights at Badrinath, shared transport from Rishikesh, and simple meals.
| Item | Indicative cost (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh-Badrinath return transport | ₹1,500-4,000 | Shared taxi or bus; private cabs cost more |
| Stay, 2 nights at Badrinath | ₹2,000-6,000 | Budget guesthouse to mid-range; book early |
| Meals, 3 days | ₹900-1,800 | Simple vegetarian meals and chai |
| Badrinath-Mana local taxi | ₹200-600 | Or walk the 3 km free |
| Mana sights | ₹0 | No entry fee; carry cash for tea and crafts |
| Indicative total | ₹4,600-12,400 | Excludes travel to Rishikesh and shopping |
Permits, timings and rules
No permit is needed for Indian citizens to visit Mana Village itself, which is a daytime, open-access village; carry a government photo ID, as the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) runs identity checks near the border, per travel-guide sources as of October 2026. Mana is a day visit: it effectively closes by evening, and you should head back to Badrinath before dark.
The area beyond Mana, towards Mana Pass and Deo Tal, is a restricted border zone. Travellers report that special permission, routed through the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office in Joshimath, is required and is rarely granted to ordinary tourists, as of October 2026. Foreign nationals, in particular, should confirm their eligibility and any Inner Line Permit or Protected Area rules directly with the Chamoli district administration or the ITBP before planning anything past the village.
Follow standard high-altitude Himalayan etiquette: no plastic litter, no loud music at shrines, modest dress at temples, and no stepping past barriers near the river or the border. These rules protect both the place and you.
Practical tips and safety
At about 3,200 m, Mana is high enough that altitude matters. Spend a night at Joshimath or Badrinath to acclimatise, climb slowly, drink water, and watch for headache, nausea or breathlessness, which can signal acute mountain sickness; descend if symptoms worsen and seek help. The nearest sizeable medical facilities are down-valley around Joshimath, so carry personal medicines.
- Mobile network and data are patchy to absent; do not rely on online maps or payments in the village.
- Carry enough cash in small notes; UPI and card use are unreliable here, and the tea stall and craft sellers prefer cash.
- Pack layers, a windproof jacket, sunscreen, a hat and sturdy shoes even in summer; nights are cold and weather shifts fast.
- Start walks early and return before afternoon, when cloud, wind and rain build up in the valley.
- Solo women travellers generally find the Badrinath-Mana route busy with pilgrims and reasonably comfortable in daytime; still avoid isolated trails after dark and keep your host informed of plans.
- The monsoon months bring landslide and roadblock risk on the highway; keep buffer days and check road status before travelling.
For wider route planning across the state, our Uttarakhand travel guide sets out seasons, transport and regions, and pairs naturally with a Mana trip.
Nearby places
Mana works best as part of a Badrinath-area itinerary, since the big draws sit within a short radius. The table below lists the main nearby places and why they are worth your time.
| Place | Distance from Mana | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Badrinath | About 3 km | Char Dham shrine; the gateway and base for Mana |
| Vasudhara Falls | About 6 km (walk) | High waterfall; moderate day trek from Mana |
| Joshimath | About 45 km | Transport hub, winter seat of Badri Vishal worship |
| Auli | About 60 km | Ski slopes and meadows above Joshimath |
| Satopanth Tal | About 25 km from Badrinath | Glacial lake; multi-day expert trek only |
If Badrinath is the heart of your trip, read our dedicated Badrinath guide for darshan timings, stays and the shrine’s season, then treat Mana as the natural next step beyond the temple.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Mana Village and how high is it?
Mana Village is in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, about 3 km north of the Badrinath temple on the banks of the Saraswati river, near the India-Tibet border. It sits at roughly 3,200 m (10,500 ft). It is the last roadhead village on this route and is reached from Badrinath by a short taxi ride or walk.
Why is Mana called the first village of India?
Mana is called India’s first village because of a government rebrand begun in 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it as the country’s first village, not the last, at a Mana event on 21 October 2022, and the Border Roads Organisation later put up a signboard to that effect. News reports dated the sign to around April 2023.
Do I need a permit to visit Mana Village?
No, Indian citizens do not need a permit to visit Mana Village itself, which is open as a day trip; carry a government photo ID for border checks. However, the area beyond Mana towards Mana Pass is restricted and needs special permission via the SDM in Joshimath, rarely given to tourists, as of October 2026. Foreigners should confirm rules with the district administration.
What is the best time to visit Mana Village?
The best time to visit Mana Village is May to October, while the Badrinath shrine is open and the road is snow-free. The village closes for winter with Badrinath, when the valley is snowbound and residents move to lower settlements. September and October give clear skies for trekking, though nights fall near freezing.
How far is Vasudhara Falls from Mana and is it a hard trek?
Vasudhara Falls is about 9 km from Badrinath and is reached on foot from Mana, with the walk often cited at about three hours one way. The trail is moderate but stony, exposed and at altitude, so it suits reasonably fit walkers who have acclimatised. Start early, carry water, and turn back before afternoon weather builds.
Can you stay overnight in Mana Village?
Most visitors do not stay overnight in Mana; it is a day-visit village with only limited, seasonal homestays, and people base themselves at Badrinath about 3 km away. Badrinath offers temple committee lodging, a GMVN rest house and private guesthouses. If you want a Mana homestay, confirm in advance and expect basic, unheated rooms.
Last updated and sources
Mana suits travellers already visiting Badrinath who want a short, high, culturally rich half-day beyond the temple. Go in the open season, from May to October, and treat the caves and river as places of faith as well as sights.
Last updated: 22 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change – reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Chamoli District Administration, Badrinath tourist page (chamoli.gov.in); All India Radio / newsonair.gov.in on the 2026 Badrinath portal opening (newsonair.gov.in); Drishti IAS on Mana as India’s first village (drishtiias.com); Wikipedia, Vasudhara Falls, citing Harshwanti Bisht (1994) (en.wikipedia.org); Wikipedia, Mana Pass, on the restricted border zone (en.wikipedia.org); Outlook Traveller and StayVista on Bhotia woollens and the tea shop (outlooktraveller.com). Accessed September 2026.
