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Kullu or Kullu Valley is a beautiful and charming city, located on the banks of River Beas, in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is a popular destination for tourists during the summers and is surrounded by dense timber forests. The customs and lifestyle of the natives present a glimpse of nature-loving people. The people here are religious and worshippers of Snake Gods and other deities.
The major population of the Kullu valley is involved in farming, but is gradually shifting to other occupations like handlooms and tourism. When visiting here, one can experience the rich traditional values and folk art forms of the natives. There are a lot of old temples, forts and palaces still present in the valley which validate the skills of the natives in the form of carvings and architecture.
Kullu valley is also referred to as the “Valley of Gods”. During the festival season of Dusherra, the natives gather together and celebrate for seven days. The valley is also famous for its hand woven shawls and caps in different colours, which mark the culture of the state.
History of Kullu:
Kullu can be closely related to the historical events and finds mention in Hindu scriptures and Epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata and Vishnu Purana. It is believed that Manu stepped out of his celestial boat unto this particular spot; present-day Manali village. It is also believed that the human race came into existence only after this deluge. Another source relates it to a saint called Shringi Rishi, who was mysteriously rescued by the local river from the hands of a demon. Similarly, a lot of stories are related to this beautiful valley which is now a favourite spot for visitors.
Special attractions in and around Kullu
Apart from the Kullu Valley, a lot of nearby attractions also make this place a more sought-after destination. Manikaran and Vashist village, which are well known for the hot water springs, lie on the north of Kullu, approximately 40 kilometers away. Also, a number of famous temples like Bijli Mahadev, Bekhli and Bajaura lie in this valley and are some of the most visited places here. Rock climbing and river rafting attract a lot of visitors to this valley. All these combined and a lot of other recreational activities make Kullu a ‘natural’ choice for a vacation.
Best Time to Visit
The climatic conditions are most favourable for tourists between March and June.
Location
State: Himachal Pradesh
District: Kullu
How to reach
Nearest airport: The nearest airport is at Bhuntar, which is approximately 10 kilometres from Kullu.
Nearest railway stations: The nearest railway stations are at Chandigarh and Kiratpur.
Directions by road from nearby cities: Kullu is well connected by road to other important parts of the state.
Tourism Department
Tourist Information Center
Dhalpur, Kullu
Ph: +91- 1902- 24605.
Climatic Conditions: Kullu experiences pleasant weather during the summer, but the temperature may fall up to 0 degrees in the winter. July and August are the rainy months.
Clothing: Cool cotton clothes in summers and warm woollen clothes in winters are suitable in Kullu.
Tourist attractions near Kullu
- Bijli Mahadev Shrine: This temple is located at a distance of 10 kilometres from Kullu and requires laborious trekking and climbing to reach here.
- Manikaran: Manikaran and Vashist villages are well known for hot water springs and lie on the north of Kullu, approximately 40 kilometres away.
- Bajaura: It lies 15 kilometers before Kullu and the famous Baheshwar temple, believed to have been built in the 8th century, is located here.
This article was contributed by Abhay Tandon and edited by Prerna.
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