KULLU
Revered for its many village deities as the ‘Land of Gods’ (Devtas), Kullu – spread out on the banks of River Beas is a quiet town that attracts travellers, connoisseurs, photographers, filmmakers and honeymooners round the year. As a gateway to the popular destination of Manali, it is a cool escapade for tired souls.
Founded as a capital of Kullu in the year 1660, today the sprawling township serves as the administrative headquarter of the valley district.
The intricate web of valleys, deep forests, gushing streams and rivers, bountiful orchards and the forbidden heights of the Greater Himalayas for a magnificent backdrop, is a sight to behold. Myths and legends enrich the deeply religious beliefs of a simple people that can be seen during a variety of festivals celebrated in the valley.
In October, the quiet town comes to life when the week-long Kullu Dussehra festival is held. A congregation of Devtas – village deities carried on palanquins, grace the occasion to celebrate the victory of good over evil.
Language: Hindi, English, Punjabi are spoken and understood by those engaged in tourism. Locals speak Pahari.
Clothing essentials: Tourists are advised to carry cotton clothing in summer, light woollen in spring and autumn and heavy woollen in winter.
By Air: The Kullu-Manali airport is at Bhuntar, about 10 km from the main town. Flights to and from Delhi and Chandigarh are available.
By Rail: From Chandigarh or Kiratpur broad gauge train stations, Kullu has to be reached by a road journey. However, from Pathankot station there is a connecting narrow gauge rail track to Joginder Nagar from where Kullu can only be reached by road.
By Road: Kullu is well connected by road. Luxury and ordinary coaches regularly ply between Delhi-Chandigarh-Shimla-Dharamshala and Kullu.
For those willing to explore, Kullu offers a romantic and rejuvenating holiday filled with delightful adventures. Board a raft and set out on a white water rafting thrill in River Beas, trek to the alpine pastures of Tirath, make a sporting catch of trout fish by testing your angling skills at Banjar or just enjoy the serenity of camping at Raison. Whatever your choose, Kullu will always charm you.
White water rafting adventure
Riding the rapids in a floater on River Beas makes for the thrilling sport of white water rafting. In Kullu the adventure is conducted by experienced rafters, which can be experienced on long river stretches from March and May and from September to November.
Camping in Raison
Tucked away to the north of Kullu are a cluster of small villages that offer excellent camping sites by the bank of River Beas. Amidst apple, peach or plum orchards, spending a night or two in camp at Raison is coming back healed by nature. From near the camping meadows some exciting white water rafting expeditions are also conducted.
Hike to Bijli Mahadev Temple
Walking uphill to Bijli Mahadev temple offers some very commanding views of Kullu valley. In the temple’s courtyard there is a pillar shaped Shiva Linga that is plastered together with butter. Every year frequent lightning strikes shatters this pillar. The pieces of this pillar are put together by the priests with butter to resurrect the Shiva Linga again.
Raghunath Temple
The presiding deity of the valley is manifest in the small idol of Lord Raghunath housed in a temple within the Kullu palace complex. Folklore holds that the idol was brought from Ayodhya by a former Kullu king to dispel a curse on the royal family.
Visit to Vishveshvara Mahadev Temple, Bajaura
The pyramidal-style, stone monolithic temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, locally addressed as Basheshara, at Bajura is dated to have been built sometime between 9th and 12th century AD. The temple embraces the ancient Shankaracharya’s Panch Dev Puja Paddhati wherein five Gods are worshipped at one place. The excellent workmanship of the large bas-reliefs and other sculptural decoration besides the scenic location on the bank of River Beas, and in close proximity to the highway does draw a large number tourists to this temple.
Kullu Dussehra
It is a week long international level fair held every year during October. Leading a grand procession on a wooden chariot pulled by devotees, Lord Raghunath rides into Dhalpur ground with deities in attendance to mark of the week long Dussehra festival every year. It is a grand spectacle with over 200 village deities carried around in palanquins. After paying reverence to Lord Raghunath they participate in the festivities. For the festival, held in autumn, several stalls are laid out that sell a variety of local wares. In the evenings cultural performances are held at an open theatre where international troupe shows are held alongside those put up by local artists.
45 km from Kullu, Manikaran, placed calmly on the bank of river Parvati with high mountains towering over the valley, is a Gurdwara built in homage to Guru Nanak Dev, founder of the faith who is said to have visited the place with five disciples. The hot sulphur spring in the compound is therapeutic and is known to cure many ailments, especially skin diseases. The place attracts a large number of pilgrims every year.
Situated on the bank of Paravati river, Kasol makes a good holiday destination. 42kms. from Kullu, charmingly located on an open space which slopes down to the broad expanse of clear white sand at the Parvati river. The place is well known for trout fishing.
