Located in the lower reaches of the
Himalayan range, Kullu spellbinds people with its temples, apple orchards and the
Dussehra Festival.
At an altitude of 1200 m, this scenic hill station in
Kullu Valley is the headquarters of Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh. The beauty of the place is further enhanced by the confluence of the Beas and Sarvari rivers. The fame of Kullu has always been shared by Manali, which is 40 km north, and Kullu is offered referred as Kullu-Manali.
The earliest recorded history of Kullu belongs to the first century AD, but the place came into prominence after the arrival of the British.
Raghunath Temple, Vaishno Devi Temple, and Devi Jaganath Temple (3 km from Kullu in Bekhli village) are major shrines in Kullu. Bijli Mahadev Temple, Manikaran (45 km),
Bajaura (15 km) and Naggar (23 km) are the attractions nearby.
A shopper’s paradise, the shops at Kullu displays woodcarvings, bamboo and wickerwork, Chamba Rumal and sandals, Himachali Dolls and woolen shawls. The main shopping area is Akhara Bazaar.
The best time to visit is April to June. The place is also visited in October during Kullu-Dussehra Festival and Lugri, the traditional Kullu drink, can be tasted during the festival. The town is dotted with hotels, tourist centers and other facilities need for a traveler. Local people speak Hindi and Dogri Language.
Kullu is 240 km north of Shimla. Kullu Manali Airport, at Bhuntar, is 10 km from city center. Nearest railhead is Joginder Nagar Railway Station at Joginder Nagar (95 km west).
National Highway 21 passes through Kullu. Kullu Bus Station has services to Shimla, Delhi, Chandigarh, Mandi, Manali, Manikaran, Naggar, Dharamsala and other destinations in and around the district.
