One of the most popular holiday destinations in the country, Kullu is located in the heart of Himachal Pradesh. Known as the ‘Valley of Gods’ Kullu is a hill station situated at an altitude of 1200 meters and is well known for its fascinating beauty. Tourists from all over visit Kullu during the summer to be part of the Dussehra festival, to see old temples and to enjoy the scenic splendors of nature.
History:
Kullu valley was also known as 'Kulantapitha' meaning the end of hospitable world. Kullu valley was an unexplored treasure for quite sometime. During the 1st century A.D, when this valley began to be inhabited, the Hindu rulers confined their stay only in the upper Beas region, near Manali as Initially Kullu was a forest, so it barred the smooth flow of trade between Central Asia and Southern region. It is also said that during his rule, Raja Jagat Singh installed the idol of Lord Raghunathji which was brought from Ayodhya. The temple is of significance and devotees throng here during Dusshera.
The weather of Kullu is pleasant throughout the year. Tourists come to Kullu to beat the heat during Summer from late-April to June making it one of the best times to visit Kullu. During winter, from September to November is also the time when there is heavy snow which makes it a popular holiday destination during winter too. During the winter the temperature drops to a minimum of 0 C while the maximum temperature is 25.0 C. During the Summer the max temperature is 30 C and minimum temperature is 25 C.
Situated on the banks of river Beas, Kullu is a paradise for anglers. The river and it’s tributaries are rich in trout fish. The Department of Fisheries organise an angling tournament every year in September-October and April.
Trekking
One of the best things to do in Kullu is trekking. The scenic way through the green valleys, deep forests and gushing streams across the way makes treeking in Kullu an unforgettable experience. The Tourist Development Corporation of Himachal Pradesh in collaboration with Department of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali and some other agencies organise trekking expeditions for enthusiasts. The best time to plan a trek is from April to June and from September to October.
White Water Rafting: If one is planning to go for white water rafting, then plan the holiday during summer as rafting is only available from May to July. By the banks of River Beas, there are lot of organisers who arrange for White Water Rafting.
Skiing
During winter in Kulu, one must try Snow skiing at the Solang Nala. There are activities and training courses conducted by the the Mountaineering Institute, Manali. There are also Skiing tournaments organised at national and international level. slopes near Hamta and Bhrigu peaks are considered the best slopes in the world for skiing.
Para Gliding:
One of the most popular activities taken by tourists is Para Gliding. The mountain terrain provides a natural launching sites for para gliding. The best time for this thrilling sport is from May to June and September to October. The ideal places for Para gliding is Bhaikhali, Bijli Mahadev and Slang slopes.
The Indian Rupee is the official currency of Kullu. Currency can be converted at the currency exchange counters at the Airport. Most big hotels are able to change currency/travellers cheques though one can get a better rate at bigger bank branches. State Bank of Patiala, Kullu accepts travellers cheques. The widely accepted travellers cheques are Thomas Cook, Visa, American Express,etc. Most shops and establishments accept Visa and Mastercard. Credit and debit cards are accepted in only big shops and major hotels.
No permits are required to travel to Kullu, other than a visa for India.
Airways: Bhuntar Airport is only 10 kms drive from Kullu. The flights operating here are the Indian Airlines, Trans Bharat Aviation and Jagson flights. The flights connect Kullu to Chandigarh , Delhi and Shimla.
Railways: To reach Kullu by train one can take a train to Joginder Nagar which is the nearest railway station around 120 Kms on Mandi-Pathankot rout. Another railway station 200 Kms drive on Kullu-Chandigarh highway is Kiratpur. The other railway station is Una, which is approximately 260 km. from Kullu. One can also take train to Kalka, Pathankot or Chandigarh and then reach Kullu by road.
Raghunath Temple: Located a kilometer from Kullu valley, this temple was constructed in 1660 in the Pyramid and Pahari architecture style. It is said that to relieve of all the evil cursed by a Brahmin Durga Dutt, Raja Jagat Singh used charanamrit of the idol in this temple for 42 days.
Dhalpur Ground: A lot of tourists head to Kullu during the Dusshera festival. It is in this ground that the festive cultural celebrations are held. This is a venue for various cultural programmes, mass celebrations and processions. Bajaura : Built by Punjab Agriculture University, Bajura is a Research Station. The University is now known as Himachal PradeshAgricultural University.
Jagannathi Devi Temple: Also popular called Bekhli Temple, it is a one and a half hour climb to this temple. One can also opt to go there by local buses run at regular intervals. From here one can see a magnificent bird eye view of the valley.
Vaishno Devi : A pilgrimage for the Hindus, Vaishno Devi temple is visited by thousand of devotees every year. The temple is a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. It is one of the most revered places of worship in Northern India. The shrine is at an altitude of 5200 feet and a distance of approximately 12 kilometres (7.45 miles) from Katra. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board maintains the shrine.
Bijli Mahadev: Located only 10kms from Kulu across the Beas river. It is a strenuous 10 km climb to reach the temple from where one can see the panoramic view of Kulu and Paravati valleys. It is said that the tall staff of this temple attracts the divine blessings in the form of lightening.
Manikaran:Located at 45 km from Kullu, Manikaran is well known for the hot springs high up under the Parvati Valley. The hot springs are known for their medicinal properties. A pilgrimage for Hindus and Sikhs, it has a temple and a gurdwara. It is said that Manikaran is connected with Lord Shiva and his divine consort Parvati, who lost her ear rings here, which gave birth to hot waters on the bank of Parvati river. It is also a hot spot for trout fishing.
Raison: Located approximately 14 km from Kullu, is a camping site on the banks of the river. The HPTDC has also arranged log cabins for comfortable stay here.
Katrain: It is situated 20 kms from Kullu. The best activity for tourists to indulge in is fishing for there is a trout hatchery nearby that ensures a well stocked river. The lush Apple orchards are vast across Katrain.
Mountaineering Institue: Located only 3 kms on the banks of Beas river, this Institute arranges advanced and basic training courses in mountaineering, trekking, water sports and skiing.
Naggar: On the banks of river Beas, Naggar is a town located on a wooded slope and commands an extensive view. Earlier it was the capital of Kulu state for about 1400 years. There are a lot of famous temples of Lord Krishana, Lord Vishnu and Tripura Sundari in Naggar attracting devotees from across the country. There is Naggar Castle which also worth seeing
Where To Eat:
If it is the local, authentic and traditional Kullu cuisine one has on your mind, then try the specialty restaurant called Taste of Kullu to enjoy an unforgettable gourmet experience. Here one can savor specialty like Sidhoo and Bhaturoo. Most of the restaurants here serve Italian, Mexican, Continental and Indian cuisine. Some of the restaurants one might want to try are Silhouette, Red Roof, Burger Point, City Choice and Hot Stuff. A must have dining experience is at the Dhaba.
Where To Stay:
Owing to it’s status of being one of the most poplar hill stations in India, Kullu has more than 500 registered hotels and accommodation options. There are options to suit every pocket starting from an economical guest houses to star hotels. The tourist has a luxury of choosing among a variety of Guest Houses, Cottages, Camping sites, Paying guest houses, Dharamshalas and Youth Hostels. However what one also needs to know is that the tariffs of the rooms change depending on the season. During the peak seasons from late-April to June and from mid September to early November the prices are hiked.
There are plenty to shops in Kullu. At Akhara Bazaar one can buy varieties of shawls made of pure wool, Local grass slippers locally called pullas, caps, pattoos the warm local blankets, woolen carpets, wooden handicraft and artistic metal crafts and many other articles. Other places to shop are Ramshila or the Govt. Handicrafts Emporium, Khadi Gramudyog and Himachal Khadi Emporium.
Kullu is an ideal holiday spot for a quite or an adventurous holiday. It is one place perfect for young and old alike with a wide range of activities to choose from.-.trekking..to visiting temples to nature walks. It is best to make your bookings in advance if you are planning to go there during the peak season.
