TNR News Network
Manali:
The iconic Sher-e-Punjab restaurant in Manali, a long-time favourite among tourists, was washed away in a matter of hours as the swollen Beas river surged through the Bahang area on Monday (August 25, 2025) night.
Only the entrance wall remains intact, standing as a grim symbol of the flashflood devastation sweeping Himachal Pradesh’s tourist capital.
Torrential rains over the past 24 hours have triggered flashfloods and landslides across the region, reviving painful memories of the 2023 deluge. The Sher-e-Punjab restaurant, located near the riverbank, bore the brunt of the Beas’ fury. Locals reported hearing a loud crashing sound around midnight as the water breached the river’s edge, sweeping away the entire structure along with its furnishings and kitchen equipment.
For several years, Sher-e-Punjab was not just a restaurant but a landmark. Known for its authentic north Indian cuisine and generous Punjabi-style hospitality, the restaurant had hosted several high-profile guests over the years, including politicians, film celebrities and sports personalities. It was particularly popular among tourists from Punjab and Delhi, who considered it a must-visit stop on any trip to Manali.
In recent years, Sher-e-Punjab also gained popularity among food vloggers and travel influencers, who frequently featured its sprawling thalis and tandoori delicacies in their content. Its riverside location added to its charm — but tragically, also to its vulnerability.
“This is not just the loss of a building, but the loss of a part of Manali’s identity,” said Harvinder Singh, a local guide.
Alongside the restaurant, several nearby shops and homes in Bahang were also washed away. The district administration has moved dozens of families to safer areas as water levels remain dangerously high. Authorities have urged locals and tourists to stay away from riverbanks and have suspended all movement along the Manali-Kullu stretch of NH-3.
