| FACTS
& FIGURES
Population
: 16,000
Languages : Hindi and Himachali
Best time to visit : April-June
STD Code : 01902
THE TOWN OF
THE SILVER VALLEY
Kullu is located in the charming Kullu
valley and is set amongst the backdrop of the mighty
Himalayas. This town is famous for its temples and the
annual Dussehra festival, both of which attract thousands
of tourists. It is also known for its handicrafts.
LOCATION
Kullu is located in the central part
of the state of Himachal Pradesh in the northern region
of India. It is located amidst the Himalayas at an altitude
of 1200 m above sea level at the confluence of Beas
and Sarvari rivers. It is 240 km north of Shimla. The
weather in Kullu is alpine. Summers (April-June) are
mild and winters are cold (November-February). It experiences
southwestern monsoon rains in July-September.
VISITING TIME
The best time to visit Kullu is in summers,
between April and June. It is also visited in October
during the Dussehra festival.
THE PAST
Formerly, the Kullu valley was known
as Kulanthapitha, meaning the end of the habitable world.
The earliest recorded information of this area goes
back to 1st century AD, when this valley began to be
inhabited. In the medieval period, Kullu and the area
around it was ruled by a number of local rulers. The
Kullu valley was isolated from other parts of the country
for many centuries until it came under British rule.
TOURIST SPOTS
Kullu is famous for its temples and
festivals. The main tourist attraction of Kullu is the
Raghunath Temple, dedicated to Lord Ram, who is one
of the principal deities of the Hindu religious pantheon
and the patron deity of the entire Kullu valley. Raja
Jagat Singh, the erstwhile ruler of Kullu, built this
temple in 1660 to atone for his wrongdoings. He obtained
a statue of Lord Ram from Ayodhya and established it
within this temple.
Jagannathi Devi Temple or the Bekhli temple is 3 km
from Kullu and is located in the village of Bekhli.
It is a stiff 1½?hour climb to reach this temple,
but it provides a panoramic view of Kullu. The Bijli
Mahadev Temple is located on a spur at a height of 2460
m. True to its name, the temple is often stuck by lightning
(bijli, lightning).
SITES NEARBY
There are a number of shrines around
Kullu. The Basheshwar Mahadev Temple at Bajura (15 km)
from Kullu is famous for its exquisite carvings. The
Vaishno Devi Temple (4 km) and the Vishnu Temple at
Dayar (12 km) are other important shrines worth visiting.
There are a number of tourist spots as well. The small
town of Manikaran (45 km) is famous for its hot sulfur
springs. It is located at an altitude of 1737 m in the
Parvati River valley. These hot springs are famous for
their healing powers. This place is both revered by
the Hindus and the Sikhs. Travelers can visit the Shri
Ramchandra Temple and the Shri Guru Nanak Devji Gurdwara
in Manikaran. Manikaran offers hiking and trekking facilities
to the tourists.
Kaisdhar (15 km) and Kasol (42 km), the latter located
amidst pine forest, are important picnic spots.
Shoja (69 km), at an altitude of 2692 m, offers the
traveler a breathtaking view of the entire Kullu valley.
Raisom (13 km), on the banks of river Beas, is a good
site for trekking.
The town of Naggar (23 km) was the erstwhile capital
of the state of Kullu for more than 1,400 years. There
are number of historic monuments and temples in this
town.
Kullu attracts the adventure-seeking tourist by offering
trekking and hiking trails in and around the valley.
Stretches of River Beas are also used for white-water
rafting.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
The festival of Dussehra, which marks
the victory of good over evil, is celebrated all over
India in the month of October. However, Dussehra in
Kullu valley is special. It begins when Dussehra festivities
in other parts of the country are over. The main event
of this festival is taking out of Lord Raghunath's (local
version of Lord Ram) idol through the streets on a palanquin
carried by pilgrims. The procession also has villagers
dancing in traditional attire.
SHOPPING
The entire Kullu valley, along with
the town of Kullu, is famous for its woolen shawls.
Making of these shawls has now become a local industry.
Shawls made from the hair of Angora rabbits and Pashmina
goats are quite expensive. Other woolen items produced
here are colorful Kullu caps and blankets. Travelers
can purchase these handicraft items from a number of
shops within Kullu (Akhara Bazaar) and from shops between
Bhuntar airport and Kullu.
HOW TO REACH
The nearest airport is at Bhuntar, which
is 10 km south of Kullu. Bhuntar is well connected to
Delhi by air, and there are daily flights between them
operated by Archana Airlines and Jagson Airlines with
a stopover at Shimla. Archana Airlines has its office
(Ph. 65630) in Mohal, which is 6 km south of Kullu.
Jagson Airlines has its office (Ph. 65222) at the Bhuntar
airport.
The nearest railhead is at Jogindernagar (95 km). The
bus station is located near the banks of river Sarvari.
Kullu has a good bus service for Shimla, Delhi, Chandigarh,
Mandi, Manali, Manikaran, Naggar, Bajura, and Dharamshala.
The Taxi stand is located near the National Highway
21, and one can get taxi for Delhi, Shimla, Manali,
Mandi, Manikaran, and Dharamshala from here.
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