Kullu, Himachal Pradesh

Kullu (also known as Kulu) is the district headquarters of the same name in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated at an altitude of 1,219 m. It's population size is 14,500. Kullu is located along the west bank of the Beas river. The town is divided into three parts. In the South is the Dhalpur Maidan, a large grassy area where the Dussehra festival takes place. On the edge of the maidan are the tourist office and one of the two bus stations in Kullu. From the Dhalpur bazaar the main road crosses the Sarvari river. Across the Sarvari is the Adhara bazaar. On the hill above is the tranquil Sultanpur, where Raja Jagat Singh built his capital in the 17th century.

Best time to visit: Mid-March to mid-April, mid-September to mid-November.

How to reach there:
Air: Airport at Bhuntar is 10 km south of Kullu. Jagson Airlines and Archana Airways flights are available from Delhi. Raj Air has daily flights to Bombay via Chandigarh from Kullu. KCV flies to Delhi and Amritsar from here.

Road: There are direct buses to Kullu from Dharamsala, Shimla (235 km), Chandigarh (270 km) or Delhi (512 km). All these direct buses continue to Manali, 42 km further north. Buses run regularly along the main road from Kullu to Manali. There are fewer buses on eastern side of the Beas river and the trip can take a long time. There's a bus and taxi stand on the opposite side of maidan. The main bus stand is by river in the northern area of the town.

What to see:
Sultanpur Palace: It contained some fine examples of the Kullu style of miniature painting, characterised by simple rural scenes and the lack of human subjects. Most have been removed to Delhi.

Raghunathji Temple: is the temple of the principal god of Dusshera festival. The shrine houses an image of Shri Raghunath in his chariot. It is the most important temple in the area. It is open only from 5 pm.

Jagannathi Devi Temple: This temple is in Bhekhli village, 3 km from Kullu. It's a stiff climb but from temple there are fine views over the town.

Vaishno Devi Temple: 4 km along the Kullu to Manali road is this temple with a small cave having an image of goddess Vaishno (Durga).

Bijli Mahadev Temple: A jeep track links Kullu with this temple, 14 km away. Across the river, the temple is surmounted by a 20 m high rod said to attract blessings in the form of lightning.

Shopping:The town is famous for shawls, caps, gadmas. The Himachal state weaving co-operative, Bhutti Weavers colony is 6 km south of Kullu, which has retail outlets, Bhuticco in many towns. There are also Govt. Handicrafts Emporium, Himachal Khadi Emporium and Khadi Gramudyog.

Around the city:
Bajaura Temple: is on the banks of the river Beas river, about 200 m off the Kullu Mandi road at Hat or Hatta. It is a massive pyramidal structure decorated with images of Durga, Vishnu and Ganesh in the outer 3-sided shrines. Floriated scrollwork can be seen on exterior walls. Inside this Siva temple is a large yoni-lingam. Accommodation is available at PWD Rest House at Bajaura. It is 15 km from Kullu.

Parvati Valley/Manikaran: The Parvati valley, at 1737 metres, runs north-east from Bhuntar, which is south of Kullu, at a distance of 45 km. Buses are available to travel up the valley. Attractive orchards and river valley scenery line the route. The place owes it's name to a legend according to which Naga, the serpent god stole Parvati's earrings (Manikarana) while she bathed in the river. At Siva's command Naga angrily blew them back out of his nostrils, causing a spring to flow. At Manikaran there is a hot sulphur spring. There is also a temple to Rama and a Sikh Gurudwara. Accommodation is available at the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation's (HPTDC) Hotel Parvati. Buses from Kullu to Bhuntar take one and a half hour and Bhuntar to Manikaran is another one and a half hour journey.

Raison: Only 13 km from Kullu there's a camping place on the grassy meadow beside the river. It's a good base for treks in the vicinity. There are 14 Tourist Huts at the site, which can be booked through the Kullu tourist office.

Katrain: At about midpoint on Kullu-Manali road, this is the widest point in Kullu Valley and is overlooked by the 3,325 m Baragarh peak. There's a small Rest House and a pleasant HPTDC Tourist Bungalow available here for accommodation. There is also a very expensive riverside private hotel. Katrain is 20 km from Kullu.

Nagar: High above Katrain, on the east bank of the river, is Nagar. The Nagar Castle was used to be the raja's headquarters, when Nagar was capital of Kullu Valley. The old fort is built around a courtyard with beautiful views over the valley. Inside the courtyard is a small temple. The temple of Gauri Shankar is at the foot of small bazaar below the castle. Almost opposite the front of castle is the Chatar Bhuj Temple to Vishnu. Higher up the hill is Pagoda like Tripura Sundri Devi Temple and the higher still, on the ridge above Nagar, the Murlidhar Krishna Temple. Up the hill, above the castle is the Roerich Gallery, displaying the artwork of both Nicholas Roerich who died in 1947, and his son, Svetoslav Roerich. It is said that Nagar is the seat of the gods and that, at times of crisis, the gods all gather by the shrine. Accommodation is available in HPTDC's hotels, private hotels and guest houses and a Forest Rest House. It is 5 km from Patli Kuhl, 24 km from Manali and 26 km from Kullu.

Largi: is a small hamlet 34 kms south of Kullu via Aut, offers the best trout fishing in the valley. The resthouse there is in a stunning location where two Himalayan torrents, the Sainj and Tirthan, meet. Fishing permits can be obtained from Kullu and Largi itself.

Jagatsukh: is the most ancient Kullu capital. Situated on the left bank, between Nagar and Manali. Little remains of the glory of this former state capital where rice was first cultivated in the valley. Around the Jagatsukh secondary school playground there are two ancient temples - the small shrine of Gaurishankar and the larger chalet-roofed temple to the goddess Sandhya Devi, the stone base of which is much more ancient than the 19th-century wooden verandah and roof.