Kullu

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About the city

Kullu was once known Kulanthpitha, which means the end of the habitable world. Beyond rose the forbidding heights of the Greater Himalayas, and by the banks of the shining river Beas, lay the fobles ‘Silver Valley'. Here is the core of an intricate web of numerous valleys- each of which is a visual delight and seems more beautiful than the other. The mountain scapes remain spectacular whether in brilliant sunshine or in the haze of the mist.

Kullu is famous for woolen clothing, shawls, caps, sweaters, carpets etc. Handmade artifacts can also be purchased from the state Govt. Handicraft Emporium.

Unlike the Kullu Valley as a whole, Kullu town is a nondescript sort of place worth visiting only at the time of the Dussehra festival in October/ November. This is when the images from many other temples in the Kullu Valley are taken to pay homage to the chief deity Ragunath who normally resides in a temple on the hill above Dhalpur. A huge fair is held on the Maidan, and te gods are taken out in procession with their temple bands and the raja, all very lively, noisy and colourful.

Kullu was once known as Kulanthpitha, which means the end of the habitable world. Beyond rose the forbidding heights of the Greater Himalayas, and by the banks of the shining river Beas, lay the fabled 'Silver Valley'. The 'Silver Valley' has nature's treasures that lie carelessly scattered as flowers on the high meadows.

The Valley of Gods, as the Kullu Valley has come to be known, is perhaps the most delightful region in the Western Himalayas. Situated on the banks of the river Beas, Kullu town, the headquarters of the district, serves as a nerve centre of the valley and is the starting place for a number of treks.

Moving Around

Kullu Manali is best explored on a motorbike, which can be hired at reasonable charges. Try this only if you know your way around. Taxis and local buses are also available. Carry a map of the area in any case.

A Himachal pair that's a popular destination, Kullu and Manali are usually spoken of in the same breath. These charming towns cradled in a valley, are a short distance from each other and possess between them, a fair share of the state's natural treasures. Surrounded by looming mountains and picturesque scenery, the towns are also frequented by adventure travellers seeking the thrill of an adrenaline-filled river rafting trip or a trek amid the snow clad mountains. While Kullu is the quieter of the two, Manali is definitely the wild sibling - notorious for its night-life and alive with local markets. Famous for the Rohtang Pass, lush forests, hot springs, lofty mountains and several places of worship, Kullu and Manali have something for everyone. To those who believe that religion is an adventure, and others, for whom adventure is religion.

Orientation

Located in Himachal Pradesh, the 80 km long Kullu valley rises northward from Mandi at 760 m to the Rohtang Pass at 3915 m, running north to south of the Beas river. The town of Kullu is situated in this valley at an altitude of 1200 m. However, the major tourist destination lies 40 km north of Kullu, called Manali. It is located near the end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh. The main street at the Mall lies at the centre of Manali where the bus station and several shopping markets are located. There are several hotels and lodges here but visitors to Manali prefer staying in the quieter areas in the old part of the town.

History

Because of its fertile lands, forever fed by water from the scores of tributaries that flow through the valley, Kullu and Manali have always had a constant flow of inhabitants into the valley. Their earliest history can be tracked down to the folklore of the Mahabharata. Kullu was once known as 'Kulanthpitha', which means the end of the habitable world. In ancient times, the inhabitants of the valley were called 'rakshas' who were the hunting and wandering communities. The shepherds arrived later and settled permanently to take up agriculture. In the 17th century, an idol of Lord Raghunathji was brought from Ayodhya and installed by Raja Jagat Singh on his throne, as a mark of his penance. Since then, Raghunathji is said to be the ever-presiding King of Kullu. Manali's origin is rooted in its own mythological history. Manali literally means 'Home of Manu'. The mythological character Manu was said to have been the only person to survive the flood that wiped out the world. He then came to Manali to recreate human life. Thus, Manali is a sacred spot and its temples are important pilgrimage destinations.

Modern History

It was with the arrival of the British into the valley that cash crops like apple and fish such as trout were brought in. Both are not indigenous to Manali. The British also developed Kullu-Manali into tourist destinations because of their pleasant climate and beautiful scenery.

Recent History

The tourist traffic in Kullu-Manali began to burst at its seams after the rise of militancy in Kashmir in the 1980s. Also, since the 1970s, Manali had become notorious for its drug and hippie culture. Over the past decade, both have been curbed although traces of this past are evident in many areas in the valley. Today, Kullu and Manali are treated as a base camp for trekkers and mountaineers.