Kulu

KULU, 240 kms from Shimla, is known as the valley of Gods.  Kulu is located on the Western Himalayan side. Situated on the banks of the river Vyas in the lap of the Himalayas, this valley is 80 km long and 2 kms. wide. 1219 metres above sea level, Kulu's natural beauty is at its peak in the spring season. This place is well known for its cultural festivals, apple orchards and its shawls. The festival of Dusserha is celebrated for a week here, with great fervor. 

Tourist Season : The best time is from mid March to mid November. October is the season of Dusserha.

Local Transport : The local people run taxis, jeeps and buses.  

Tourist Sites:

Manikaran: 45 km from Kulu, one sees many beautiful waterfalls en route. This spot is famous for its hot springs. Here there is a Gurudwara and an old Shiva Temple.

Mandi: Also called the Gateway of Kulu, this place is famous for the temples of Taradevi, Triloknath and Panchan Vej. 

Temple of Bijli Mahadev: Situated 14 km from Kulu, one has to  trek 11 kms up the mountain to reach Bijli Mahadev . Kulu is clearly visible from here.

Kasol: A beautiful picnic spot on the banks of the river Parvathi. Kasol is 42 kms from Kulu . The white sands that run along both the banks of the river,  adds to the beauty of the place.

Cataran: 20 km from Kulu, Cataran is famous for its apple orchard and its apiaries. 

Nagar: 28 km from Kulu, on the banks of the river Vyas and 300 mts. above sea level, this place was the capital of Kulu for nearly1400 years. Russian artist Nicholas Rorik's art is worth viewing in the forts. Of the many temples, one  is famous for its intricate work in wood.

Raghunath Temple: 1 km from Dhalpur is  the temple of Ram, known for its woodwork.

Vaishno Caves:  Goddess Vaishno is  believed to be residing in this small cave, 4 kms from Kulu. 

Raison: 16 kms from Kulu, 1433 kms above sea level this place is ideal for camping and holidaying. The Tourism Department has built small attractive wooden huts on the banks of  the river Vyas. Around this place are orchards of apples, apricots, and plums and when these start flowering in March the whole view is extraordinary.

Katrain: This point is the central spot of the Kulu valley  which is 1463 mts above sea level. 2kms from here are apple orchards, trout breeding farms and apiaries. It is 20 kms. from Kulu.

Bajora: 15 kms from Kulu, located on the main road, this place is famous for the temple of Basheshwar Mahadev. Built in the 8th century, this pyramid shaped temple has carvings on its stones. Many of the carvings were destroyed in 1769-70 by the King of Kangra when he attacked Kulu. 

Banjar: At 1534 kms above sea level, this beautiful place is 58 kms south of Kulu . Apart from its natural beauty, the other attraction is trout fishing. For fishing, one has to get permits from the Fishing Department.

Bathad: 67 kms from Kulu, one can reach Bathad by road and enjoy its natural surroundings.

Keshdhar: Just 15 kms from Kulu,  this place is well known for its green meadows. The Forest Department has a guest house here.

Larji: 34 kms from Kulu and 957 mts above sea level this place is famous for barking deer and wild pigs. Very close to this place, flow two tributaries of the river Vyas - Sainj and Teerthan.

Malana:   Near the Chandrakhani Pass lies this village which has a very old culture. Jamlu temple here has a lot of carvings . The Malana Glacier also lies on its peak.

Devtibba:   2953 kms. above sea level, this place is known for its religious beliefs. Tourists interested in nature should visit this spot.

Shopping: Kulu is famous for  woollen clothing, shawls, caps, sweaters, carpets, etc. Handmade artifacts can also be purchased from the State Govt. Handicraft Emporium.

Temperature:

Clothing:
Summer - light woollens
Winter - heavy woollens

Travel Plans:

Rail: Rail lines run till Kalka,  Shimla and Chandigarh and from there one has to take the bus or the taxi.

Road: Kulu is connected to Delhi by NH 21. Hence Ambala, Chandigarh, Bilaspur, Mandi or Pathankot, Palampur, Jogendra Nagar or Delhi, Shimla, Kulu routes can be taken. Tourist buses also run directly from Shimla, Chandigarh, Dharmasala, and Delhi. There are special buses for tourists from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh.

Distances from Cities and Towns: