Kullu Travel Guide

If there is any destination that we should know about or talk about, it is Kullu. Actually, there are several spots in Kullu which remain hidden and we skip them as we directly head towards Manali. Manali attracts us more. And I was also going through the same thought process…

I always heard that… Manali is the most popular hill stationof Himachal Pradesh or I can say of India. Manali is considered as a backpacker capital of India. It is the destination that can certainly make any tourist/traveller fall in love. Manali suits every kind of traveller whether it is a family or couple or adventure-seeking or a solitude traveller. It is merely about 40km from the Kullu, amidst high mountain slopes and heavenly sacred streams. I should also head towards Manali…

But wait a minute, why don’t… I skip Manali this time and stay at Kullu and look for what Kullu has to offer me. There must be loads of places in Kullu which may experience a less footfall and remain hidden from us.

Hence, I chose to skip Manali and explore Kullu. I chose to devote some time in roaming the Kullu valleys. So, here, I came up with a handy travel guide to Kullu that you can consider while planning your next trip.

Okay my wonderful readers, let’s do this…

Kullu – An Inevitable Destination:

Kullu is known by many synonyms like “The Valley of Gods” and “A veritable jewel in the crown of Dev Bhoomi – Himachal Pradesh”. It is one of the most amazing destinations of Himachal Pradesh. Kullu is perfectly nestled between the cluster of lower and greater Himalayan range; majorly in Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar Himalayan range. The presence of holy Beas River expands its sacredness to the next level. Even more, the city’s rich art, culture and tradition manifest the signs of harmony and integrity.

A Brief History of Kullu:

Kullu has shown its presence in Mythological epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata and Purana. According to the Hindu mythology, the “Manu Dev” who is the originator of Humanity were from Kullu – Manali. Also, Parshuram (reincarnation of Lord Vishnu) lived here at Kullu. The river Beas is named after the saint Vashishtha (from the epic Ramayana) rises from Kullu-Manali. So there were many more legends from these Hindu epics who were associated with Kullu. Today, we have various temples for all those legends.

Coming to our ancient history, King Ashoka built a stupa in order to spread Buddhism and its teachings. The famous Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited Kullu in the 7th century and described the greatness of Kullu. Today, we can experience that both the temples and the monasteries are flourishing peacefully in the valleys of Kullu. Likewise, there are many overwhelming beliefs, cultures and traditions that are linked with Kullu from the ancient times. I feel like I don’t have enough words to describe Kullu’s inexpressible history. So let’s move further…

If you are planning a trip to Himachal and wants to fit this inevitable destination in your itinerary then follow this handy travel guide.

A Handy Travel Guide to Kullu

While I was writing this handy guide, compiling the information and experience that I gained from my visit was quite demanding. Right from the majestic peaks and holy temples to nature’s charm – Bear River and lush green forests covering the meadows of Kullu, there are a hell lot of things to include. And that too in mere few words was more like a fantasy to me. Finally, here’s my “A handy travel guide to Kullu”…

How to Reach:

Kullu is well connected with rest of India through roadways and airways.

• Roadways: Government bus service (HRTC), private buses, taxis and private vehicle are easily available from all the major cities.
• Airways: Kullu has its own airport, known as Bhuntar Airport (10 km from Kullu). Few major cities are connected with it.
• Railways: nearest railway station is Joginder Nagar (125 km from Kullu).

Best Time to Visit Kullu:

Kullu is known for its pleasant weather and you can visit it throughout the year. However, summer (April to June) is considered the best time to visit this destination as the temperature remains between 15 degrees to 25 degrees. The winters (October to February) are the ideal time to experience snowfall. The temperature drops to several negative temperatures. So, I would recommend you to pack your woollen accordingly.

Local Sightseeing in Kullu:

Raghunath Temple

Raghunath temple is the most important temple in Kullu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama who is an important deity in Hindu epic – Ramayana. The temple was built by King Jagat Singh in the late 17th century as a regret against the sin he had committed. Actually, due to some reason, the king ordered his troops to tortured a Brahmin; who with his whole family committed suicide. So, in order to relieve this grief, he bought the idol of Lord Rama from Ayodhya and placed it here.

Since then, the temple reflects the symbol of devotion, faith and beliefs among both the locals and the travellers. Even more, the Raghunath temple host an international Dussehra festival-fair every year (in Oct-Nov) in Kullu. So, that’s a great time to entertain yourself in a glittering atmosphere.

Vaishno Devi Temple

Vaishno Devi temple was the first I visited in Kullu. This holy place is also known as Mahadevi Tirth temple. It is situated on the banks of river Beas and 3 km from Kullu bus stand. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati. If we look at the architecture of the temple, then it is a multi-storey building.

I didn’t count the floors it has but I guess there are 4-5 floors. As you enter the temple you’ll encounter beautiful paintings and wall arts all around the temple. But here’s the thing – photography is prohibited (my bad). The next floor is devoted for Bhandara (a free communal kitchen) where all the devotees sit and have lunch provided by holy men. The top floors are styled in the design of cave for Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. However, the most catchy thing is the wooden carvings and the patterns done mostly by great sculpture artists.

Lastly, the temple is surrounded by nature’s charm – mountains and rivers filling the atmosphere with peace and positivity.

Bhekhli Mata Temple

Bhekhli Mata temple is also known as Jagannathi Bhuvneshwari Mata temple. The temple is nearly 15 km from the Kullu and considered as one of the oldest, sacred and rare temples of Kullu. I don’t know why this temple experiences less footfall than any other temple. This temple is dedicated to the Goddess Durga/Shakti. So, you’ll experience crowd during Navaratri time (9-days Hindu festival).

The entrance gate of the temple is small but the landscape which it provides is magnificent. The amazing thing about the temple is its architecture. It is built completely in typical Pahari (local) style with again adorning carvings and paintings of the holy goddess. I feel I should show you its pictures, rather than saying more about it. You’ll automatically come to know about the grandness of the temple.

Bijli Mahadev Temple

The temple is located at the height of 2640m and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is the most popular temple among the travellers, adventure seekers and photographer. Bijli Mahadev is a real charm of Kullu as it offers marvellous trek of 4-5 km from Chansari Village (15 km from Kullu). Another interesting way to reach Bijli Mahadev temple is by crossing Naggar and Jana waterfall. It provides a bumpy motorable road (15 km) to the temple. But the road is only for small vehicles and off-course for an expert driver. You can choose either of the ways, both are extraordinary in themselves.

Coming back to the temple…As the name suggests “Bijli Mahadev”, the temple is known as the “Temple of Lightening”. There are a lot of mysteries, miracles and mythology. It is said that every year, lightning strikes this temple and shatters the Shiva Linga present here. Then Pujari or Priest recollects the pieces of Shiva Linga and joins them together with butter. Therefore, a great site to trek and take blessings from Lord Shiva. And also a great place to sit, relax and express your feelings on paper (for the bloggers).

Kais Monastery

Kais monastery is located at a distance of 10 km from Kullu bus stand, in the direction of Naggar. The monastery is also known as Dhakpo Shedrupling monastery. The monastery is located on the banks of Beas River, providing a scenic view. It is dedicated to His Holiness Dalai Lama and Dhakpo Rinpoche. It also houses its own school and university to teach Buddhism. So, it is a must visit monastery.

Other Activities to Do in Kullu:

Besides, all the top-notch destinations to see in Kullu, there are many other activities that can entertain people. Therefore, I’ve included some of those activities in this handy travel guide to Kullu…

Roaming in Nature’s Park, Mohal, Kullu: Nearly 5 km from Kullu, there is a nature park where you can spend quality time with family. You can rest and relax, experience the flowing river Beas and click pictures.

Shopping in Kullu: This thing was one of my favourite part of my travel. I heard a lot about Kullu shawl, caps and woollen apparels. So, in order to wander in the streets of Kullu, there is a Tibetan market, Akhara Bazar, Bhuttico market and more.

Important Festivals: Dussehra festival in Kullu is an international Dussehra festival. It falls in the month of October. The locals get into traditional attire and celebrate this festival. If you visit Kullu in October you’ll experience more than a lakh of international guest from across the world. Another important festival is Kullu’s traditional Holi festival which is celebrated for 40 days starting from Vasant Panchami to Holi. Similarly, in the nearby villages of Kullu, Diwali is celebrated as “Buddhi Diwali” (Dark Diwali) wherein, traditional dance, music and animal sacrificial ceremony takes places.

However, what’s is more notable here is that in all these festivals, Lord Raghunath temple is the main temple. every festival starts first by worshipping Lord Raghunath ji.

In terms of adventure sports, Kullu offers stunning treks like Bijli Mahadev trek, Bhrigu Lake trek, Malana trek and many more. Adventure sports in Kullu also includes rafting, camping, paragliding and cycling.

Places Near-by Kullu:

Travelling to the valleys of God – Kullu is not a matter of 1 or 2 days. There’s a load of destinations around Kullu that entertain people with their charisma. So, here’s a list of top near-by places…

Manikaran: It is 45 km from Kullu and famous for hot sulphur spring, important Hindu temples and a famous Manikaran sahib (Guru Nanak Dev ji) Gurudwara.

Manali: It is 40 km from Kullu and famous for treks, pilgrim spots and soothing waterfalls. Manali is also a gateway to Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley.

Kasol: Kasol is located close to Manikaran and is famous for camping, trekking and off-course marijuana. Popular treks from Kasol are Kheerganga trek, Tosh village trek, Malana trek, Sar Pass and Pin Parvati Pass. It is also famous for different cuisines (especially Israeli cuisines).

Naggar: It is nearly 24 km from Kullu and is famous for its old Naggar Castle, Art museums, temples and Jana waterfall.

Tirthan Valley: It is approx. 58 km from Kullu and is considered as a rare and secret lush-green destination of Kullu. It is ideal for trekking, fishing and watching birds and wildlife.

Great Himalayan National Park: This national park is 50 km from Kullu and is a home to many exotic Himalayan wildlife species.

In conclusion to this handy travel guide to Kullu, I would love to say that Kullu is not just a gateway to Manali or Rohtang or any other destination. It is actually much more than that. If you are travelling to Manali or any other nearby destination, Kullu can certainly be fit in your itinerary.

I enjoyed travelling to Kullu thoroughly. Though I missed some of the above places due to time constraint but will cover them soon. Till then, if you have any question or is looking to plan a trip to Kullu-Manali contact us.

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