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Kullu
Population : 16,000
Languages : Hindi and Himachali
Best time to visit : April-June
STD Code : 01902
Kullu is located in the charming Kullu valley and is set amongst
the backdrop of the mighty Himalayas. This town is famous
for its temples and the annual Dussehra festival, both of
which attract thousands of tourists. It is also known for
its handicrafts.
Kullu is located in the central part of the state of Himachal
Pradesh in the northern region of India. It is located amidst
the Himalayas at an altitude of 1200 m above sea level at
the confluence of Beas and Sarvari rivers. It is 240 km north
of Shimla. The weather in Kullu is alpine. Summers (April-June)
are mild and winters are cold (November-February). It experiences
southwestern monsoon rains in July-September.
Places of Interest
Kullu is famous for its temples and festivals. The main tourist
attraction of Kullu is the Raghunath Temple, dedicated
to Lord Ram, who is one of the principal deities of the Hindu
religious pantheon and the patron deity of the entire Kullu
valley. Raja Jagat Singh, the erstwhile ruler of Kullu, built
this temple in 1660 to atone for his wrongdoings. He obtained
a statue of Lord Ram from Ayodhya and established it within
this temple.
Jagannathi Devi Temple or the Bekhli temple
is 3 km from Kullu and is located in the village of Bekhli.
It is a stiff 1½?hour climb to reach this temple, but it provides
a panoramic view of Kullu. The Bijli Mahadev Temple is located
on a spur at a height of 2460 m. True to its name, the temple
is often stuck by lightning (bijli, lightning).
SITES NEARBY
There are a number of shrines around Kullu. The Basheshwar
Mahadev Temple at Bajura (15 km) from Kullu is
famous for its exquisite carvings. The Vaishno Devi Temple
(4 km) and the Vishnu Temple at Dayar (12 km)
are other important shrines worth visiting.
There are a number of tourist spots as well. The small town
of Manikaran (45 km) is famous for its hot sulfur springs.
It is located at an altitude of 1737 m in the Parvati River
valley. These hot springs are famous for their healing powers.
This place is both revered by the Hindus and the Sikhs. Travelers
can visit the Shri Ramchandra Temple and the Shri
Guru Nanak Devji Gurdwara in Manikaran. Manikaran offers
hiking and trekking facilities to the tourists.
Kaisdhar (15 km) and Kasol (42 km), the latter located
amidst pine forest, are important picnic spots.
Shoja (69 km), at an altitude of 2692 m, offers the
traveler a breathtaking view of the entire Kullu valley.
Raisom (13 km), on the banks of river Beas, is a good
site for trekking.
The town of Naggar (23 km) was the erstwhile capital
of the state of Kullu for more than 1,400 years. There are
number of historic monuments and temples in this town.
Kullu attracts the adventure-seeking tourist by offering
trekking and hiking trails in and around the valley. Stretches
of River Beas are also used for white-water rafting.
HOW TO REACH
By Air
The nearest airport is at Bhuntar, which is 10 km south of
Kullu. Bhuntar is well connected to Delhi by air, and there
are daily flights between them operated by Archana Airlines
and Jagson Airlines with a stopover at Shimla. Archana Airlines
has its office (Ph. 65630) in Mohal, which is 6 km south of
Kullu. Jagson Airlines has its office (Ph. 65222) at the Bhuntar
airport.
By Rail
The nearest railhead is at Jogindernagar (95 km).
By Road
The bus station is located near the banks of river Sarvari.
Kullu has a good bus service for Shimla, Delhi, Chandigarh,
Mandi, Manali, Manikaran, Naggar, Bajura, and Dharamshala.
The Taxi stand is located near the National Highway 21, and
one can get taxi for Delhi, Shimla, Manali, Mandi, Manikaran,
and Dharamshala from here.
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