Kullu

Kullu is a municipal council town that serves as the administrative headquarters of the Kullu district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the Beas River in the Kullu Valley about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) north of the airport at Bhuntar.

For other uses, see Kullu (disambiguation).

Kullu

Kulu
Town
Kullu
Country India
StateHimachal Pradesh
DistrictKullu
Government
 • TypeDemocratic
 • Zonal HeadquartersKullu
Elevation
1,279 m (4,196 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total18,536
 • Rank11 in HP
Languages
 • OfficialHindi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
175101
Telephone code01902
Vehicle registrationHP HP 34 HP 66
Sex ratio1.17 (1000/852) ♂/♀
Websitewww.hpkullu.gov.in

Kullu Valley is a broad open valley formed by the Beas River between Manali and Largi. This valley is known for its temples and its hills covered with pine and deodar forest and sprawling apple orchards. The course of the Beas river presents a succession of magnificent, clad with forests of deodar, towering above trees of pine on the lower rocky ridges. Kullu valley is sandwiched between the Pir Panjal, Lower Himalayan and Great Himalayan Ranges.

History

Historical references about the Kullu valley dates back to ancient Hindu literary works of Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas.[1] During Vedic period several small republics known as "Janapada" existed which were later conquered by the Nanda Empire, Mauryan Empire, Gupta Empire, Pala Dynasty and Karkoṭa Empire. After a brief period of supremacy by King Harshavardhana, the region was once again divided into several local powers headed by chieftains, including some Rajput principalities, these principalities were later conquered by Maratha Empire and Sikh Empire.[2]

The name Kullu derives from the word "Kulant Peeth", meaning "end of the habitable world". As per legends, during the Great Flood, Manu visited this valley but was unable to cross the Rohtang pass. He named the last settlement he found as Kulant Peeth and chose to settle and meditate in what has now become the town of Manali (Manu's Place). The name further devolved into "Kulut", as the kingdom was known for a long time; before finally being known by the current name of Kullu or Kulu.

The Buddhist pilgrim monk Xuanzang visited the Kullu Valley in 634 or 635 CE. He described it as a fertile region completely surrounded by mountains, about 3,000 li in circuit, with a capital 14 or 15 li in circumference. It contained a Stupa built by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, which is said to mark the place where the Buddha preached to the local people and made conversions, Stupa was taken away by a Mughal ruler and put in Feroz shah Kotla maidan in Delhi. There were some twenty Buddhist monasteries, with about 1,000 monks, most of whom were Mahayanist. There were also some fifteen Hindu temples, and people of both faiths lived mixed together. There were meditation caves near the mountain passes inhabited by both Buddhist and Hindu practitioners. The country is said to have produced gold, silver, red copper, crystal lenses and bell-metal.[3]

Kullu got its first motorable access only after Indian Independence. The long centuries of seclusion have, however, allowed the area to retain a considerable measure of its traditional charm. The road through the Kullu Valley and Lahaul is now paved all the way, to connect and provide the major access route between the northern Indian plains to Leh in Ladakh.

Geography
Kullu town lies on the bank of Beas River.

Kullu town has an average elevation of 1,278 m (4,193 ft). It lies on the bank of Beas River. A major tributary, Sarvari, (derived from "Shiv-Baardi") leads to the less explored and steeper Lug-valley on the west. On the east of Kullu lies a broad mountainous ridge having the village-temples of Bijli Mahadev, Mounty Nag and Pueed. Beyond the ridge lies Manikaran valley, along the Paarvati river which joins Beas at Sangam in Bhuntar. On the south of Kullu lie the town of Bhuntar, Out (leading to Anni, Banjar and Siraj Valley) and Mandi (in Mandi district). Historically Kullu was accessible from Shimla via Siraj valley or through passes on the west leading to Jogindernagar and onto Kangra. To the north lies the town of Manali, which through the Rohtang pass leads onto the Lahaul and Spiti Valley. One can see an enormous change in the climate as one climbs up the windward side of the ranges to proceed to the leeward and much drier plateaus to the north of Manali.

The valley has varied biodiversity, It has some of the rarest of animals like Himalayan tahr, western tragopan, monal and Himalayan brown bear. The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) is also located here. The park was built in 1984. It spreads over an area of 1,171 km2 (452 sq mi) which lies between an altitude of 1,500 to 6,000 m (4,900 to 19,700 ft). In order to protect the flora and fauna of this Himalayan area, many places are declared as wildlife sanctuaries, such as: Khokhan Sanctuary, Kais Sanctuary, Tirthan Sanctuary, Kanawar Sanctuary, Rupi Baba Sanctuary, Great Himalayan National Park and Van Vihar Manali.

The temperature in kulu valley in summer season is about 20 degree C.


Autumn in Kullu Valley

December and January during winter observe lowest temperatures ranging from −4 to 20 °C (25 to 68 °F), with some snowfall.Evenings and mornings are very cold during winters. Annual highest temperature in summer ranges from 24 to 34 °C (75 to 93 °F) during May to August. Months of July and August are rainy because of monsoon, having around 150 mm (5.9 in) rainfall monthly. Climate is pleasant in October and November.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census,[4] Kullu had a population of 437,903. Males in kullu are 225,452 whereas females are 212,451. Sex ratio of kullu is 942 females per 1000 males which is higher than national sex ratio . The average literacy rate of kullu is 79.40% whereas male literacy rate is 87.39% and female literacy rate is 70.91%.

Administrative

Kullu town, as the administrative headquarters of Kullu district, has the offices of Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police and the District courts. It is also the largest and the most varied constituency of Lok Sabha, the lower house of the parliament of India.

Transport

Air

The nearest airport (IATA code KUU) is at Bhuntar town, situated on NH21 at the confluence of the Parvati and Beas rivers (latitude 31.8763 N and longitude 77.1541 E), about 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Kullu town. The airport is also known as Kullu-Manali airport and has a runway more than a kilometre long. Indian Airlines and some private airlines have regular flights to the airport. Himalayan Bulls in collaboration with Deccan Charters started flights on Kullu-Chandigarh-Kullu sector beginning 2 April 2014 with 2 to 3 unscheduled flights each day in eight-seater planes.

Chandigarh airport is the nearest large airport.

Road

Kullu can be reached from Delhi by national highway NH 1 up to Chandigarh and from there by national highway NH21 that passes through Bilaspur, Sundernagar and Mandi towns. The road distance from Delhi to Chandigarh by bus is 260 km (160 mi) and from Chandigarh to Kullu is 252 km (157 mi); the total distance from Delhi to Kullu thus is about 512 km (318 mi).

Attractions
View of Himalayas from Beas river valley in Kullu.
Parvati Valley
The Hidimba Devi Temple also known as the Hadimba Temple

The Kullu valley is known as the "Valley of the Gods" or "Dev Bhumi" due to many pilgrimage sites for Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs alike.[5] Kullu is known for its open valley meadows and scenic views of the Himalayan mountain range. Kullu area is known for Kullu shawl, made of many natural fibers including pashmina, sheep-wool and angora. The seven-day festival of Kullu Dussehra, a celebration of Avatar Lord Rama's victory over the evil king Ravana. The festival takes place in the months of October or November, depending upon the Hindu calendar.

Sightseeing
  • Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) - India's youngest national park, spread over 700 km (430 mi), lies between Kullu & Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh. The park is home to different mammals, birds, insects. The park now boasts of 7th UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in India.
  • Raghunath Temple - In the 17th century, Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu committed a great mistake. To atone for the sin, he sent a senior courtier to Ayodhya for a statue of Lord Raghunath - Lord Rama. This temple was built by Raja Jagat Singh to house the image and even today, is greatly revered. Every year international fair Dussehra is celebrated with local deities in honour of lord Raghunath.
  • Shringi Rishi Temple- Banjar - About 60 km (37 mi) from Kullu is Banjar valley wherein Shringi Rishi Temple is located. Shringi Rishi is the ruling deity of Banjar valley. In fact, before the Lord Rama's advent into Kullu valley from Ayodhya Puri, Lord Shringi was the ruling deity of Kullu. Shringi rishi is one among the "atthara kardoo" (eighteen chief deities) of the Kullu valley.
  • Maha Devi Tirth Temple - Shri Mahadevi Tirth, popularly known as Vaishno Devi Mandir (by localities), situated about two kilometers North from the Kullu valley on Kullu Manali road, though a newly founded temple, yet it is acknowledged like any old famous temple. The foundation of this temple was laid by [Swami Sewak Das Ji].
  • Bijli Mahadev Temple - It is located at 2,435 meters from sea level and is about 10 km (6.2 mi) from Kullu. The staff of the temple is 60 feet high and can be seen from the Kullu valley too. It is the highest point around Kullu from where there are views of the whole town.
  • Devta Narsingh - A temple of deity 'Narsingh', situated in Sultanpur block of Kullu.
  • Raison - By the banks of the Beas -and on the Kullu-Manali highway - Himachal Tourism runs a camping site here. Ideal for a taste of adventure.
  • Shoja - At 2692 m, this is a vantage point for a complete panorama of the Kullu area - snow peaks and valleys, meadows and forests, rivers and streams. From Shoja, Jalori pass is 5 km (3.1 mi) far from where you can take an extreme view of Shoja and its vicinity. From some distance from Jalori you can visit a lake named Sareuolsar. It is an extraordinary place to visit but there is no means of transportation so you have to go on foot.
  • Basheshwar Mahadev Temple, Bajaura - One of the most charming temples in the Kullu valley, this is renowned for its intricate stone carvings. It is said to be built by pandavas.
  • Kasol - An open glade by the banks of the river Parvati. Clean white sand separates the lush green grass from the water. A good spot for trout. Himachal Tourism has a Tourist Hut here.
  • Naggar - For 1400 years this was the capital of Kullu. Its 16th century stone and wood castle is now a hotel run by Himachal Tourism. Here, a gallery houses the paintings of the Russian artist, Nicholas Roerich. Naggar also has three other old shrines.There are many old pagoda shali temple also there.
  • Hidimba Temple - It is located in Dungri village in Manali. The temple is known for its intricate wood carvings and its pagoda architecture and it houses the footsteps of Hidimba Devi on stone.
  • Kais Dhar - A place with grass meadows and densely forested mountains. It is a part of trekking route and is not connected through road, hence the natural environment is preserved. This place has a forest rest house which was built by Britishers, who liked this place. It not far away from Kullu town, approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) from the town. But it is not connected through road.
  • International Angora Breeding Farm - The farm is located 4 km (2.5 mi) from the center of town. Though the area itself is grand and is surrounded by a forest on two sides, and the river Beas on the third, the front of the farm is easily accessible from India Highway 21. It was the first farm in Asia to have a complete cruelty free environment, which included the painless cutting of the Angora rabbit's hair for high-end luxury shawls and stoles. In 1976, this farm became the world's largest rabbit farm
  • Fungani Mata Temple- This temple lies on the top of the lug valley. This temple is in a secluded area which has helped it retain its original charm. It is about 30 km (19 mi) away from Kullu town.
  • "'Beasar Valley"' - This village of kullu is situated 26 km (16 mi) away from Kullu busstand and 16 km (9.9 mi) away from temple Bhekhli mata.

Festivals and other activities
Kullu Dussehra
  • Kullu Dussehra - When Dussehra celebrations come to an end in the rest of the country, they begin at Kullu. The State government has accorded the status of International festival to the Kullu Dussehra, which attracts tourists in large numbers. About 200 local deities come to pay homage to Lord Raghunath.[6] This is a time when the valley is at its colourful best.
  • Kullu Holi - Holi is the festival of colors celebrated for two days in Kullu.Its unique feature is that people of the town collect in temple and then they proceed to houses of town people singing sacred holi songs and in return they are given sweets, pakoras and hard drinks etc. Women also take part in the festival with same enthusiasm and happiness as Men.
  • Fishing and adventure - The Kullu valley has numerous places for trout fishing. These include Katrain, Raison, Kasol and Naggar, then along the river Tirthan near Larji, in the Sainj Valley and in the Hurla khud. The valley is the nucleus of several trek routes. Some major ones are over the Chanderkhani Pass to Malana, over the Jalori Pass or Bashleo Pass to Shimla, and over the Pin Parvati Pass to Sarahan. White water rafting is popular on the Beas river.[7] Rapid Riders is one of the oldest service providers in kullu offering commercial white water rafting on the 16-kilometre (9.9 mi) river course.

It connects with the Lahul and Spiti valleys via Rohtang Pass, situated at 3,978 m (13,051 ft) 51 km (32 mi) from Manali city. mamta= hanogi mata nyas

Vicinity

Other places of interest in the area include Manikaran which is famous for its hot springs, and hot water springs at Vashisht village near Manali, 40 km (25 mi) north of Kullu, a hub for tourists and rock climbers. Malana, Kaish-Dhaar in Lug Valley, Bijli Mahadev, Bhekhli and Bajaura house the famous temples of the region and places like Kasol and Gohar. Manali is perhaps the most famous town and center of all tourist attractions in the state. Manali also has a well-known temple dedicated to the mythical princess Hidimba. which is known as Hidimba Devi Temple.

The economy of the town largely depends on tourism, horticulture (apples,[8] plums, pears, and almonds) and handicrafts (shawls, caps, etc.).[9] A majority of the youth depend on tourism for their well being, which has led to construction of a large number of hotels by locals such as the Himalayan Hamlet, Shivalik, Tree House, Apple Valley and Raju Bharti.

  • Shiva shrine, Kullu
  • Himalayas from the Kullu Valley
  • Roerich's family, Kullu valley
  • Raja Rupi Kulu Palace
  • Kais Dhar
  • Kais Dhar Medows
  • Tourists posing in traditional Kullu attire, at Solang valley
gollark: Python does "dynamic" without "hahahaha stuff can randomly be coerced".
gollark: Instead of just silently doing wrong things.
gollark: It should definitely be a type error, ideally at compile time but JS does not actually have that.
gollark: It's a nice analogy.
gollark: 2 serious ones because FPTP bad.

References
  1. http://himachal.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&dpt_id=200&level=1&lid=8449&sublinkid=8216
  2. Verma 1995, pp. 28–35, Historical Perspective.
  3. Watters (1904-1905), pp. 298, 335.
  4. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  5. "Valley of the Gods". IGNCA. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  6. International Dussehra festival kicks off at Kullu, The Indian Express, 11 October 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  7. http://www.rapidriders.in/rafting.html
  8. "Agriculture - Horticulture". kullu.net. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  9. "Kinnaur: Land of Gods, Kullu Shawls & Untold Adventures". AlienAdv Blog. Retrieved 22 November 2015.

Further reading
  • Francke, A. H. (1914, 1926). Antiquities of Indian Tibet. Two Volumes. Calcutta. 1972 reprint: S. Chand, New Delhi.
  • Hutchinson, J. & J. PH Vogel (1933). History of the Panjab Hill States, Vol. II. 1st edition: Govt. Printing, Pujab, Lahore, 1933. Reprint 2000. Department of Language and Culture, Himachal Pradesh. Chapter X Kulu State, pp. 413–473.
  • Watters, Thomas. (1904–1905): On Yuan Chwang’s Travels in India. 1904–1905. London. Royal Asiatic Society. Reprint: Delhi. Munshiram Manoharlal. 1973.
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