Kullu: The Heaven
Kullu, once known as Kul-anti-peetha which means “the end of the livable world”, is the capital town of the Kullu District, in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated on the banks of the Beas River in the Kullu Valley about ten kilometers north of the airport at Bhuntar.
Kullu is a wide-open valley shaped by the Beas river between Manali and Largi. This valley is well-known for its beauty and its regal hills covered with Pine and Deodar Forest and extensive Apple Orchards. The course of the Beas river offers a succession of magnificent, clad with forests of Deodar.
It is significant to note that The Chinese pilgrim monk Xuanzang was in the Kullu Valley in 634 or 635 CE. He specified it as a productive region totally surrounded by mountains. It contained a stupa (tope) built by Ashoka, which is said to distinguish the place where the Buddha preached to the local people. There were some twenty Buddhist monasteries, occupied by about 1,000 monks, most of whom were Mahayanisti. There were also some Hindu temples, and people of both faiths lived mixed together without any conflict. The meditation caves were inhabited by both Buddhist and Hindu practitioners. The region is known to produce precious metals like gold, silver, red copper, crystal lenses, and bell metal.
Demography
Culture
How to reach Kullu
The nearest airport is at Bhuntar town, situated on NH21 at the convergence of the Parvati and Beas rivers (latitude 31.8763 N and longitude 77.1541 E), about 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Kullu town. The airport is also identified as Kullu-Manali airport and has more than a kilometer long runway. Indian Airlines and some private airlines have regular flights to the airport.
Road
Kullu can be reached from Delhi by national highway NH1 up to Chandigarh and from there onwards by national highway NH21 that passes through Bilaspur Sundernagar and Mandi towns. The road distance from Delhi to Chandigarh is 248 km and from Chandigarh to Kullu is 233 km; the total distance from Delhi to Kullu thus is 481 km (299 mi).
Rail
Kullu is not that comfortably approachable by rail. The nearest broad gauge rail points are at Chandigarh (235 km (146 mi)) away and Pathankot. The nearest narrow gauge railhead is at Joginder Nagar (100 kilometers (62 mi)) away.
Kullu attractions
In the 17th century, Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu to make up for the sin committed by him built this temple which homes a statue of L.ord Raghunath.,Shringi Rishi Temple- Banjar
It is about 60 km. from Kullu is Banjar valley wherein Shringi Rishi Temple is located. In fact it is said that, before the Lord Rama’s arrival at Kullu valley from Ayodhya Puri, Lord Shringi was the ruling deity of Kullu. Shringi rishi is one among the “atthara kardoo” or eighteen chief deities of the Kullu valley
Bijli Mahadev Temple is one of the most excellent forms of art in India. It is situated at 2,435 meters from sea level and is about 10 km away from Kullu. The temple is 60 feet high and can be seen from the Kullu valley too. It is the highest point around Kullu .
Devta Narsingh
Temple of Devta Narsingh is a well-known temple of deity ‘Narsingh’ and situated in Sultanpur block of Kullu.
Raison
By the banks of the Beas -and on the Kullu-Manali highway – Himachal Tourism organizes a camping site here. It is just ideal for a taste of adventure.
Shoja
At 2692 meters this is a vantage point for a complete landscape of the Kullu area – snow peaks and valleys, pastures and forests, rivers and streams.
Basheshwar Mahadev Temple, Bajaura is one of the most charming temples in the Kullu valley, this is renowned for its intricate stone carvings
Kasol
An open glade by the banks of the river Parvati. Clean white sand separates the lush green grass from the waters.
Naggar
Its 16th century stone and the wood castle is now a hotel run by Himachal Tourism. Here, a gallery houses the paintings of the Russian artist, Nicholas Roerich. Naggar also has three other old shrines.
Hotels Kulu
Details about cheap hotels are found online and so it is not at all difficult to find hotels in Kulu. The adequate advantage of best rates on Hotels, discounts on hotel rates are available. Himachal Pradesh Tourism Hotels, luxury cheap hotels, and cheap hotel rooms are available to the great advantage of the tourists.
Cheap Hotels
Hotel Sandhya Palace Shamshi –It is near Airport, Bhuntar Kullu (H.P)
Phone : 01902-265762, 265662 Mobile : +91 92185-2559
Tariff starts from Rs.1300/-
Hotel Sangam: It is quite near to the Airport Bhuntar, Kullu
Phone 01902-266091, 268366 Mobile: +91-098164-59989
Hotel Sanjeevni: On the NH 21, Kullu Manali Highway,it is located opposite to P.N.B
Bajaura, Distt Kullu, HP – 175125, INDIA
Phone (+91)-1902-26520 Mobile : (+91) -97361 67775 , (+91) – 94189-19099, (+91) -94181-91702
Purnima Guesthouse: Room tariff INR 800/- to INR 1500/-
Sheetal Hotel: Room tariff starts from INR 660/-
Deluxe Hotels
Solace Retreat: Excellent location and the best services by a very cooperative staff and owner. Daily room tariff INR 4499/-
Hotel Century Gangri: It is more of a budget hotel, tariff INR 990/-
Apple Valley Resort: Room tariff INR 3500/-
Himachal Pradesh Tourism Hotel: The Sarvari Hotel INR 1400/- to INR 2400/-
Budget Hotels
Silvermoon Hotel-Room tariff INR 110/- to INR 2100/-
Hotel Vaishaly- Room Tariff INR 800 to INR 1650/-
Festivals
When Dussehra celebrations come to an end in the rest of the part of the country, they begin at Kullu. The State government has recognized the status of this festival as an International festival that attracts tourists in large numbers.
Kullu Holi
Holi is the carnival of colors which is observed for two days in Kullu. Its exclusive feature is that people of the town gather in the temple and then they continue to houses of town people singing sacred holy songs and in return, they are given sweets, pakoras, hard drinks, etc
Fishing and Adventure
The Kullu valley has a number of places for trout fishing. These include Katrain, Raison, Kasol, and Naggar, then along the river Tirthan near Larji, in the Sainj Valley, and in the Hurla khud.
The valley is the center of several trek routes. Some major ones are over the Chanderkhani Pass to Malana, over the Jalori Pass or Bashleo Pass to Shimla,
Special eatery: Kulu Kulu is a good example of a typical sushi bar, an enormous place to go for sushi whether you’re a novice or a knowledgeable fan. It’s packed and noisy and it is found crowded into a space at the counter, but this bustle is part of the attraction of a genuine sushi place.
