General Information / History

Kullu was once known as Kulanthpitha, which means the end of the habitable world. In winter, the temperature gets quite low when heavy woollens are required. It is pleasant in summer and cottons are recommended.

Best Time To Visit

Mid-May to Mid-October.

Getting there

Air: The airport at Bhuntar is 10-km from Kullu, where taxis and buses are available.

Rail: The closest narrow gauge railhead is at Jogindernagar, 95-km from Kullu.
Road: By road, the distance from Delhi via Mandi is 530-km and from Shimla this is 240-km. From Delhi and Shimla, luxury buses ply to Kullu. There's a bus and taxi stand on the opposite side of maidan. The main bus stand is by river in the northern area of the town.

The valley is the nucleus of several trek routes. Some major ones are over the Chanderkhani Pass to Malana and Pin Parbati Pass to Sarahan. The Jalora Pass lies 5-km beyond Shoja and gives access to the outer Seraj region of the Kullu Valley. From Chamba to Udaipur (Lahaul) over Sach Pass, can be completed by trekkers within a day span of nine or ten days.

Major attractions

Raghunathji Temple: In the 17th century, Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu committed a great wrong. To atone for the sin he sent a senior courtier to Ayodhya for a statue of Lord Raghunath - Lord Ram. This temple was built by Raja Jagat Singh to house the image and even today, is greatly revered. The shrine houses an image of Shri Raghunath in his chariot.

Bijli Mahadev Temple

Set on a spur that offers some spectacular views, this temple is famous for its 20m high rod that periodically draws lightning, which shatters the 'Shivalinga' and scorches the building. Using only butter as adhesive, the 'linga' is then carefully pieced together by the temple pundit.

Basheshwar Mahadev Temple, Bajaura

This 9th century Shiva Temple is renowned for its intricate stone carvings.
The Vaishno Devi Temple: 4-km along the Kullu to Manali road is this temple with a small cave having an image of goddess Vaishno or Durga.

Jagannathi Devi Temple

This temple is in Bhekhli village, 3-km from Kullu. It's a stiff climb but from the temple one can catch fine views of the town.

Akhara Bazar

Known as one of the main bazaar, where Kullu caps, shawls, 'pattoos', gudmas, 'puhlas' and 'namdas' or rugs are sold in plenty.

Sultanpur Palace

It contains some fine examples of the Kullu style of miniature painting, characterised by simple rural scenes and the lack of human subjects.

Naggar

For 1400 years Naggar remained 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.

Bijli Mahadev Temple

Set on a spur that offers some spectacular views,this temple is famous for its 20m high rod that periodically draws lightning, which shatters the 'Shivalinga' and scorches the building.Using only butter as adhesive, the'linga'is then carefully pieced together by the temple pundit.

Basheshwar Mahadev Temple, Bajaura

This 9th century Shiva Temple is renowned for its intricate stone carvings.The Vaishno Devi Temple: 4-km along the Kullu to Manali road is this temple with a small cave having an image of goddess Vaishno or Durga.

Jagannathi Devi Temple

This temple is in Bhekhli village, 3-km from Kullu. It's a stiff climb but from the temple one can catch fine views of the town.

Excursions

Bajaura Temple, Parvati Valley/Manikaran, Kaisdhar, Kasol, Shoja, Raison, Karrain, Largi, Jagatsukh, Deo Tibba, Banjar, Nirmund, Bathad, Malana.