About Kullu

Country: India | State: Himachal

Ideal Trip Duration: 2 Full Days

Nearest City to Kullu: Shimla (215 Kms), Chandigarh (258 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Kullu: April to June & October to December

Peak Season: December to January & May to June

At a distance of 40 km from Manali, 500 km from Delhi, 215 km from Shimla and 258 km from Chandigarh, Kullu is the capital town of Kullu district in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the Beas River in Kullu Valley at an altitude of 1230 meters. Kullu Manali is one of the top summer resorts to visit as part of Himachal tour packages and among the wellknown honeymoon destination in India.

Kullu is a broad open valley formed by the Beas River between Manali and Larji. This valley is famous for its temples, beauty and its majestic hills covered with Pine and Deodar Forest and sprawling Apple Orchards.

Kullu was earlier known as Kulant pith meaning 'the ending point of inhabitable world'. The beautiful valley is also mentioned in epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata and Vishnu Purana. Chinese traveler Huien Tsang visited Kullu in 634 or 635 AD and described it as a region completely surrounded by mountains. The place had a stupa built by Asoka. In ancient days Kullu had several Buddhist monasteries. There were Hindu temples too and people of both faiths lived peacefully together.

Kullu valley is the largest valley in Kullu district. The Beas River runs through the middle of the valley. It is also called the 'Valley of the Gods' or 'Dev Bhumi'. It connects with the Lahaul and Spiti valleys via Rohtang Pass. Kullu was an ancient kingdom of hill states and it was ceded to the British in 1846 along with other trans-Sutlej states. The first motorable road was built here only after independence. Due to long years of isolation, this area was able to retain its traditional charm and beauty.

Kullu is also famous as a hotspot for adventure sports. Trekking, river rafting, mountaineering, paragliding and hiking over the Himalayan glaciers are some of the activities that Kullu offers. Angling is another activity enjoyed a lot by locals as well as tourists. Some of the famous tourist places in Kullu are Manikaran, Manali, Malana, Bijli Mahadev, Bhekhli, Bajaura, Kasol, Kheer Ganga, Kulant Pith, Katrain, Kangra and Great Himalayan National Park. Chandrakhani pass, Jalori Pass and Tirthan Valley are the other attractions in Kullu.

Kullu Manali Airport at Bhuntar in the nearest airport at a distance of 12 km from Kullu. Joginder Nagar is the nearest narrow gauge station at a distance of 105 km from Kullu. Chandigarh is the nearest major broad gauge station at a distance of 258 km. Kullu has a major bus station which has direct buses to Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, Manali and Mandi.

Kullu Valley is well known for the seven day festival of Kullu Dussehra, a celebration of Avatar Lord Rama's victory over the evil king Ravana. The festival takes place in the months of October / November. The State government has accorded the status of International festival to the Kullu Dussehra, which attracts tourists in large numbers.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Good
STD Code: 01902
Languages Spoken: Hindi, Pahari, Punjabi, Kangri, English and Dogri
Major Festivals: Kullu Dussehra (Oct/Nov)
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Kullu

By Air

Nearest Airport: Kullu - Bhuntar Airport / Kullu Manali Airport (12 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Chandigarh (258 Kms)
Joginder Nagar Railway Station (105 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Kullu Bus Station (0 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Kullu

Pilgrimage

#1 of 31 Places to Visit in Kullu

At a distance of 0.5 km from Kullu Bus stand, Raghunathji Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Sultanpur. It is one of the famous places of pilgrimage in Himachal, and among the must-include places in Kullu tour packages.

Dedicated to Lord Rama, this temple was built in the 17th century by Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu. Lord Raghunathji is the chief deity of the Kullu region. The idol is said to be the same which was used by Lord Rama himself at the time of Ashwamedha Yagna and was brought from the Tretnath temple of Ayodhya. It is one of the top places to visit in Kullu.

According to the folklore, Raja Jagat Singh was held responsible for the death of a Brahmin family residing in the village of Tipri. It is said that the king had ordered his soldiers to go to Brahmin family and fetch their pearls. .....

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Heritage

#2 of 31 Places to Visit in Kullu

At a distance of 20 km from Manali, and 22 km from the Kullu, the Naggar Castle is a famous castle located in Naggar. It is one of the best heritage places in Himachal, and among the not to miss in during your Manali tour.

Naggar Castle is a magnificent historical structure that overlooks the Kullu valley. The castle was built by Raja Sidhi Singh in 1460 AD. The Castle was used as a Royal residence and state headquarters until the British took over the whole Kangra and Kullu from Sikh's in 1846. Raja Gyan Singh sold it to the first assistant commissioner, Major Hay for a Gun. The northern wing of the castle was later converted to the European way of living by putting in staircase, fire place and chimneys. He later sold it to the Government when it was used as a courthouse. In 1947, with the departure of the British the court-activity ceased.

The castle was built in an impressive .....

Distance (From Kullu): 22 Kms
Trip Duration (From Kullu - Including Travel): 2-3 Hours
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Nature | Pilgrimage

#3 of 31 Places to Visit in Kullu

At a distance of 42 km from Kullu, 61 km from Naggar and 80 km from Manali, Manikaran is located in Parvati Valley between the rivers Beas and Parvati in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. It lies at an altitude of 1760 m. Manikaran is famous for hot water springs, Ramchandra Temple and a Gurudwara. It is a top pilgrimage site and among the best Kullu & Manali tourist places.

According to legend, Manikaran is associated with Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Once while roaming through the valley, Shiva and Parvati came across the place called Manikaran and they decided to stay for some time. During their stay here, Goddess Parvati lost her Mani (precious stones) in the waters of a stream. Upset over the loss, she asked Shiva to retrieve it. Lord Shiva commanded his attendant to find the Mani for Parvati. However, when they failed he was extremely angry. He opened .....

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Pilgrimage

#4 of 31 Places to Visit in Kullu

At a distance of 10 km from Kullu Bus stand, 12 km from Naggar and 31 km from Manali, Dhakpo Shedrupling Monastery is located in Kais village of Kullu District. It is also known as Kais Monastery.

This monastery was inaugurated during the month of May in the year 2005 by the great Noble laureate and his Holiness Dalai Lama. This Monastery is located near the left bank of Beas River. The picturesque view of the valleys which are surrounding the place make it an appealing destination.

The monastery gives a magical look and it has been strongly dedicated to Dalai Lama. The Dhakpo Monastery systemized with the traditional reasoning and scriptures of the master and disciple, the great pioneers of Buddha Dharma. The monastery serves as a boarding school and university for the study of Buddhist philosophy. This monastery houses several Tibetan monks. This Monastery has a huge prayer hall with a huge Buddha statue.

Every year in the month of August His Highness Dhakpo Rinpochhe .....

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Adventure

#5 of 31 Places to Visit in Kullu

At a distance of 13 km from Kullu, 14 km from Naggar, and 27 km from Manali, Raison is a small cluster of villages on the banks of the Beas River. It is one of the top rafting destinations in Himachal Pradesh, and among the must-visit places for adventure buffs during their Kullu tour.

Situated at an altitude of 1433 m, Raison is well known for its camping sites and white-water river rafting. Numerous apple orchards and fruit gardens of plums and apricots add to the natural beauty of the place. Apart from nature, Raison is famous for adventure activities like rafting, trekking, mountain climbing, and river crossing, etc. Rafting in Raison is one of the top things to do in Kullu.

By the end of the winter season, in March, the whole region becomes colorful with blooming flowers. This place is also famous as the rural center of AIIMS where summer camps .....

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Wildlife | Adventure | Nature

#6 of 31 Places to Visit in Kullu

At a distance of 14 km from Gushaini, 63 km from Bhuntar, 75 km from Kullu, and 113 km from Manali, the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) is a high altitude national park situated in Himachal Pradesh. It is one of best national parks in India, and among the must-include places in Kullu sightseeing packages.

The Great Himalayan National Park spreads across Parvati valley, Thirthan valley, Sainj valley & Jiwa Nal valley of Kullu region. It is one of the best national parks in Himachal. The park was established in 1984 and is spread over an area of 754 sq km at an altitude varying between 1500 to 6000 m. GHNP was formally declared a national park in 1999. In June 2014, the Park was declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The GHNP is situated adjacent to Pin Valley National Park, Rupi-Bhaba Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Tirthan and Sainj .....

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Pilgrimage | Adventure

#7 of 31 Places to Visit in Kullu

At a distance of 26 km from Kullu, and 60 km from Manali, Bijli Mahadev is a Hindu temple situated at Chansari village near Kullu. It is one of the sacred temples in Himachal, and among the top religious places to visit in Kullu.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Bijli Mahadev temple is situated on Mathan Hill at an altitude of about 2,460 m and is surrounded by Parvati, Garsa, Bhuntar, and Kullu hills. The temple is renowned for its 60 feet high flagpole that sparkles like a silver needle in the sunlight. This high structure draws divine blessings in the form of lightening and it is said that with every flash of lightening, the Shiva Linga is shattered to pieces. The broken pieces of the Shiva Linga were bound together by the temple priest using butter and Sattoo (a paste of roasted gram and wheat powder). This activity repeats itself once every year. It is due .....

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Adventure | Nature | Pilgrimage

#8 of 31 Places to Visit in Kullu

At a distance of 48 km from Kullu, 29 km from Manikaran and 88 km from Manali, Jamula Temple is located in Malana village in Parvati valley. Malana is believed to be founded by descendents of Alexander the Great's Army.

The Jamula Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to a sage called Jamula Rishi. In ancient days, a sage named Jamlu Rishi lived in Malana. It is believed that the rules and regulations made by Sage Jamlu are still followed by the local people of this village, who belong to Gaddi tribe. They worship Jamlu Rishi as Jamlu Devta, a powerful deity. Visitors are requested not to touch the walls, houses in Malana as people here believe that it will make the place impure. Legend says that the sage was in search of a proper place to meditate. During his search, he carried a bag of 18 pictures of different gods with him. At some point in his hunt, the pictures fell from his bag and spread all across the Beas Valley. The 18 different places, where the pictures supposedly fell, .....

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Hill Station | Adventure | Nature

#9 of 31 Places to Visit in Kullu

At a distance of 4 km from Manikaran, 30 km from Bhuntar, 38 km from Kullu, and 76 km from Manali, Kasol is a small village in Parvati Valley of Kullu district. It is one of the famous Kullu sightseeing places.

Situated at an altitude of 1640 m, Kasol is a picturesque village with traditional wooden houses having slanted stone roofs. The place is dotted with small orchards of apple, plum, peaches, pears, apricot, and almonds. A mountain stream called Grahan Nallah divides the village into two parts. This stream flows into the Parvati River.

Kasol is a favorite tourist destination, especially for Israelis. Thousands of Israelis visit this region every year and stay for months as part of their Himachal tour. Frequented by tourists and hippies, Kasol has everything from Reggae Bars to Internet Cafes and cheap guest-houses. Kasol is an ideal destination .....

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Adventure | Nature

#10 of 31 Places to Visit in Kullu

At a distance of 22 km from Manikaran, 56 km from Bhuntar, 64 km from Kullu, and 102 km from Manali, Khir Ganga is a small village situated at an altitude of 3050 m in Parvati Valley. Khir Ganga is one of the best places for trekking in Himachal Pradesh, and among the top places to places to visit near Kullu.

Kheer Ganga is a holy place with a hot water spring. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. According to legend, Kartikeya the younger son of Lord Shiva and Parvati meditated for thousand years at Khir Ganga making it an important religious place for Hindus.
The name Kheer Ganga or Khir Ganga came due to the milky waters of the Parvati River flowing into Parvati valley.

Kheer Ganga trek starts from the village Barsheni which is reachable from Manikaran. From Barsheni, one needs to trek 11 km to reach Kheer Ganga. Hiring a guide to trek this route is recommended. At Barsheni .....

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