Kullu

Amidst the loftiness of the majestic Himalayas, and the serene ambience of the unpolluted River Beas, Kullu is in the state of Himachal Pradesh 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, Mahabarata 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 favourite 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. 

Sightseeing in Kullu -

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. At a height of 76 m, the dam is earth cum rock filled and is part of the Bhakra Beas Management Board. This dam is en route to Manali from Kullu and tourists can stop over here to capture a few glimpses of this magnanimous beauty in their cameras,

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 sqkm, there are around 180 species of bird and mammals that tourists can sight here. Some of the most popular animals tourist 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 of 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. Placed at a height of 2450 meters, this temple holds an amazing but true story of its own. It says that Shivlinga in the temple had broken into pieces due to lightning and the temple priest adheres it with butter. It is quite unbelievable that this strange phenomenon recurs every year. 

Hanogi Mata Temple: Located on the Mandi-Manali National Highway, Hanogi Mata Temple is a popular temple 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: The sacred abode of Jagannathi devi, 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 the images of Durga and the temple as such reflects the local architecture. Like all other temples in India, this beautiful shrine is also linked with a legend. It is said that once a shepherd boy accidentally noticed that two girls danced to the tune of his magical flute and he caught hold of one among them. The goddess revealed her identity and agreed to settle in the village at Bekhli. The Jagannathi Devi Temple or the Bekhli Temple is perched at an altitude of 1800 meter. The 90 minutes ascend to the top is rewarded with the panoramic views of the surroundings and the holy dharshan of the gorgeous deity. The idols in the shrine show Rajasthani and Gaddi tribal influences.

Raghunath Temple: This famous Rahgunath temple is renowned for its seven day long Dussehra festivals. This temple 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. The deity in this shrine is believed to be the safe guarder of the entire valley and it is believed that King Jagat Singh constructed this temple to get rid of his sinful past.

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. The river boasts of various grades that suits amateurs as well as seasoned rafters. Gears and training can be taken from the Himachal Mountaineering Institute and Allied Sports, located in Manali.

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 upto 10-12 days are organized in this area from Pin-Pass to Spiti and Manikaran to Chhota Dhara. The valley extremities are usually around 3500 m high with many villages and Buddhist monasteries positioned well above 4000 m. Most treks take about two to three weeks to complete and lead through isolated areas.

How to reach -

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 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 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.