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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 cedars 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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