Kullu

Introduction And history : Kullu, also called The Valley of The Gods, is a prominent hill station in Himachal Pradesh. According to the ancient scriptures, Kullu which was called Kulanthpitha, was the end of the habitable world. Kullu is located at an altitude of 1,219 meters on the west bank of the Beas River. Kullu town has made its mark on the international tourist map for its famous Dussehra festival. Kullu district offers many attractions to the tourists. It has rich art and cultural heritage. Its scenic beauty includes lush green sprawling meadows, rapid rivers, white capped snowy peaks and huge mountains. The district has river Beas and its sub-valleys which are full of natural charm and grandeur. It has many temples of importance. Numerous adventure activities are offered here for enthusiastic travelers.

What To See :Bishweshwar temple (Bajaura),Hadimba temple (Manali) and Murlidhar Temple (Naggar) are most famous. The Raghunathji temple is the most important temple here. The hot springs of Manikaran are known to have healing powers and its a popular town. Don’t miss the Dussehra celebrations in October. The ten-day Dussehra festival is celebrated all over India to commemorate the victory of Lord Rama(incarnation of Vishnu) over the demon king Ravana. The Kullu Dussehra however, has its own special flavour. Now a popular tourist attraction and commercialized to a great extent, it is held at the Maidan and is the most celebrated event in Kullu. The best seasons to visit Kullu are from March to April and again September till November. Summers are more crowded as that is the main season for treks.

Things to do: Kullu offers fantastic opportunities for adventure lovers.The Kullu Valley is the transit point for many trekking routes. Some major ones are over the Chanderkhani Pass to Malana and Pin Parbati Pass to Sarahan. Along the Parvati river, treks are offered among virgin wilderness. Kaisdhar is a meadow nestled among tall deodar trees. It is a quiet spot, ideal for picnics, white water rafting and hiking.Raison has a camp sight with log cabins of Himachal tourism.

Accomodations :Middle budget and expensive hotels are available. The price ranges anywhere between 2000 to 5000 rupees per day. Holiday packages are offered by hotel resorts.

Mode Of Transport :Kullu has regular bus connections from Delhi, Shimla, Pathankot, Palampur and Ambala. The drive to Kullu from Delhi takes about 12 hours. The nearest airport is the Kullu-Manali airport. The nearest accessible railhead is at Chandigarh.

Related links: Tourist information: www.kullu.net
.
See also (Nearby places): Naggar, Manali and rohtang pass