| Kulu
Kulu valley is the most delightful region in the western Himalayas.
It is situated on the banks of th e
river Beas at an altitude of about 3,900ft (1,200mtrs). It is famous for
apple orchards, beautiful women, old wooden temples and folk music and
dances. Kulu, the headquarters of the district, serves as a nerve centre
of the valley and is the starting place for a number of treks. The name
Kullu was derived from the word 'Kulantapith' (the end of the habitable
word).
The best time to visit the Kulu valley is October, when
the
Dussera festival is celebrated. The statue of Raghunathji,
the presiding deity of the valley, is ceremonially brought down to the
valley from the mountains. The god stays in state in the valley for a
week. The highlight of the fair is the dance competition held every evening,
in the spring. Kulu is at its most colourful with pink blossoms and white
flowers while the higher slopes are aglow with gorgeous rhododendrons.
With autumn, clear blue skies return and fields and forests alike show
wonderful tints of crimson and ochre. By December, there is no greenery
except the majestic pines and c edars
in the forests. In winter the hillsides are flanked in white.
How to Get There: There are daily flights with Jagson Airways from
Delhi to the Kulu Valley's Bhuntar airport which is 10 km. from
Kullu town where Taxis/Buses are available. The closest narrow ghauge
railhead is at Jogindernagar, 95 Km from Kullu. By road, the distance
via Mandi is 530 Km and from Shimla this is 240 Km. From Delhi and Shimla,
luxury buses ply to Kullu.
Bijli Mahadeva temple
The most remarkable temple of the valley is that of Bijli
Mahadeva which is located a few miles away from Kulu. The temple is built
of large blocks of stone without the use of cement and its 65ft (20mts)
tall flagstaff is reputed to attract lightning which is an expression
of divine blessing. Every time the flagstaff is struck by lightning, the
Shiva lingam (phallic symbol) inside the temple is shattered. It is put
back together each time by the priest and covered with sattoo (a paste
of roasted gram and wheat powder) and butter.
Sultanpur Palace
Examples of Kulu style of miniature paintings are seen
at the palace. This style is characterized by simple rural scenes and
the lack of sophistication of the human subjects.
Raghunathji temple
The principal god of the temple is the god of the Dussera
festival. The image of Shri Raghunath, which was brought here from Ayoddhya
in 1657 was housed at the shrine in his chariot.
Bajaura Temple
The temple is situated on the banks of the river Beas
at Hat or Hatta. It is one of the ancient in origin and oldest in
the valley. Its massive pyramidal structure magnificently decorated
with images of Durga, Mahishasuramardini, Vishnu and Ganesh in the outer
3-sided shrines. Floriated scrollwork adorn the exterior walls. A large
'yoni-lingam' erected inside this Shiva temple.
Parvati Valley Manikaran
The well-known hot springs of Manikaran are just
30 miles (45km) from Kulu town, in the heart of the valley. The local
legend describes how, while Goddess
Parvati (consort of lord Shiva ) bathed in the river, Naga;
the serpent god, stole her earrings (Manikaran). At Siva's command,
he angrily blew them back from the underground causing a spring to flow.
Manikaran is supposed to be the hottest in the world. The local people
cook their food by the spring and there are separate baths for men and
women.
The road from Kulu to Manali runs along the swift and
rushing torrents of the River Beas. It is flanked by lofty mountains and
spreading forests. On this road is Katrain, famous for its fruit orchards
and its trout hatchery. Near Katrain, across the river, is a small town
Naggar, which has been made famous by the late Russian painter, Nicholas
Roerich, whose gallery can be seen there. Jagatsukh, the biggest village
of the district on the Naggar-Manali road, is popular for its annual Chacholi
Yatra. the quiet resort of Katrain is famous for trout fishing while Vasishth
and Manikaran are known for hot springs.
Vaishno Devi Temple
This temple is 4 Km north on the Kullu-Manali
road, where a small cave has an image of goddess Vaishno.
Great Himalayan National Park
Officially known as the Jawaharlal Nehru Great Himalayan National Park,
was established in1984 in Kulu
district. Bounded by the towering peaks of the Himalayas on three sides
with an entrance from the west, the park covers an area of 620sq.km.of
the previously-established Tirthan
Sanctuary.
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