Awe-inspiring landscapes & friendly people
Amidst the loftiness of the majestic Himalayas, and the serene ambience of the unpolluted River Beas, Kullu in the state of Himachal Pradesh is also known as the “Valley of Gods”.
Formerly renowned as Kulanthpitha, translating to ‘the ending point of inhabitable world’, this fabulous valley has its mention in epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata and Vishnu Purana. Kullu was not an easily accessible place till independence, which helped to preserve its unspoiled charm and centuries’ old tradition. A cluster of beautiful valleys, Kullu presents an enjoyable tourist spot where one can feel the rejuvenating warmth of Mother Nature.
Bestowed with abundant natural resources, Kullu valley offers everything that tickles the tourist’s imagination. The awe-inspiring landscapes, friendly people with varied culture and traditions makes Kullu a favorite picnic spot. Challenging trekking, river rafting and mountaineering are activities you can enjoy in this serene valley. Words would not suffice to explain the downright excitement of descending from the sky, paragliding over subterranean mountain, rafting in the deafening crystalline water, or hiking the glaciers and mountain acmes of Himalayas.
At an altitude of 1230 meter, this valley of gods commands the beauty of nature at its zenith. Its picturesque views dotted with snow clad mountain peaks, verdant grassy fields, soaring deodar jungles, gurgling rivers and the apple orchards are awe inspiring spectacles.
With the awesome views of lush evergreen grazing lands, engulfed by the gushing streams and twisty rivulets, tossing all around, Kullu offers a rather broad area which is ideal for everyone who wishes to get away from the trappings of the hectic city life.
Besides these blessed beauty spots, Kullu valley is also famed for its finely carved temples, brilliant artistries and cultural festivals. In a nutshell, Kullu Valley offers a variety of amazing attractions which gather large crowds year after year. Kullu is very close to Manali and numerous Manali tour packages are available.
Tourist Attractions
Chandrakhani Pass: Chandrakhani Pass is located in the Parbati valley that joins Malana Valley to Kullu Valley. An ideal base for trekking, the pass is known for its scenic beauty. Chandrakhani is 3600m above sea level and offers scenic trekking trails.
Just below the Chandrakhani pass, trekkers can stop over at the small village of Malana which is a cluster of stone roof houses. The best season for trekking at Chandrakhani pass is from May to October.
Pandoh Dam: Around 10 kms from Manali lies this vast expanse of man-made beauty. Pandoh dam is a power generator hydro-electric dam, built on river Beas. The lake is the reservoir of the dam and has five bays that regulate the water.
The Great Himalayan National Park: Great Himalayan National Park, also known as Jawahar Lal Nehru Great Himalayan National Park, is an ideal place for wildlife buffs. Located amidst the spectacular natural vista, the park is home to some of the most elusive and endangered species of animals.
Sprawling on an area of 50 sq km, there are around 180 species of bird and mammals that tourists can sight here. Tourists can look forward to sights include musk deer, brown bears, Himalayan Tahr, Ibex, black bears and rare species of snow leopard.
Bijli Mahadev Temple: Situated atop a majestic hill, Bijli Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple houses the pictorial view of the luxuriant valley below. The Pahari style temple architecture offers an eye-catching scenario to visitors.
Hanogi Mata Temple: Located on the Mandi-Manali National Highway, it is a popular attraction. Dedicated to Hango Mata, this Hindu temple is visited by devotees all the year round. Located atop a small peak, green mountains serve as a backdrop for the temple and a gleaming stream flowing below makes this temple a stunning attraction.
Jagannathi Devi Temple (Bekhli Temple): This temple is believed to have been constructed 1500 years ago. The deity in the temple is also known as Bhuweneshawari, who is considered as the sister of Lord Vishnu. The walls of the temple are carved with images of Durga and the temple as such reflects the local architecture.
Raghunath Temple: This famous temple is renowned for its seven day long Dussehra festivals. It is dedicated to Raghunath Ji. The idol in the temple is taken from Tretnath temple and the popular belief is that it is the same idol that was used by Lord Rama. Raghunath Temple was built in the year 1650 AD. The temple architecture is a curious blend of Pyramidal and Pahari style.
Rafting: Kullu is one of the most popular destinations for rafting. River Beas, located close to Kullu is the place where rafters can enjoy this sport. The season from end of April to June and again from mid-September to mid-October is the apt time for rafting in Kullu.
Trekking: Kullu features among the main trekking areas in Himachal Pradesh. There are several famous treks around the Kullu Valley, but most of the trails are situated beyond the Rohtang Pass in the valleys of Spiti, Lahaul, Zanskar and Ladakh. Expeditions for up to 10-12 days are organized in this area from Pin-Pass to Spiti and Manikaran to Chhota Dhara.
Kullu Shawl Factory: The Kullu Shawl factory is a small yet significant attraction for those planning a holiday in Kullu. Here tourists can shop for handmade authentic Kullu shawls. The way to reach the factory where tourists pass through gardens, mountains, falls and other amazing scenic beauties is an added attraction.
Best time to visit
In Kullu, summers are good for sight seeing and relaxation, while winter months are ideal for trekking, rock climbing, sight seeing, river rafting and enjoying snowfall.
How to reach
By Train: Jogindernagar is the nearest railhead to Kullu, which is at a distance of 125 km. This railway station is connected to all Indian cities via Chandigarh which is 270 km away from Kullu.
By Air: Nearest airport to Kullu is Bhuntar airport, which is at a distance of 10 km from the city center of Kullu but has low connectivity.
By Bus: State owned bus services of Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation are available from Kullu connecting with the nearest cities. Kullu is connected to Delhi (570 km), Chandigarh (267 km), Pathankot (285 km) and Shimla (270 km) by tourist deluxe buses of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation.
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