Kullu, one of the finest destinations for visitors in India, is an eminent hills station, offering its visitors numerous places of interest like stemples, valleys, orchards and abundant scenic beauty.
Location of Kullu:
Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Kullu, the capital town of the Kullu District is positioned at an altitude of 1200 m above sea level at the confluence of Beas and Sarvari rivers in the Kullu Valley at approximately 10km north of the airport at Bhuntar. It is sited at 240 km north of Shimla.
Visualize River Beas confluence in the valley of Kullu hill station and some other images come flooding to mind like -
Thanks to the Kullu Manali (Bhuntar) Airport, reaching Kullu is just an effort of 10 Km by road.
Rail :
Nearest railway station to Kullu is Joginder Nagar which is 120 km away. Other options of railway stations include Kiratpur (200 Km away) and Una (260 Km away).
Road :
Kullu is directly connected from Delhi, Shimla and Chandigarh with around four routes each to reach to the hill destination under discussion.
Tourist Attractions on your Kullu tour to India
Time to worship God can be easily found in places like these where presence of divine could be felt in every speck of dirt; in temples as well as in the company of Nature. Following are the integrals of Kullu tourism -
Raghunath Temple
Category : Religious
One of the prime tourist attractions of Kullu is the Raghunath Temple which is dedicated to Lord Ram, one of the most important deities of Hinduism.
This temple was constructed by Raja Jagat Singh in the year
1660 to ask for pardon for his sins.
The king got an idol of Lord Ram from Ayodhaya and placed it in this temple.
Bijli Mahadev
Lord Siva is considered to be among the most worshipped Hindu God and this temple is one of the most intricately decorated abode with the Shiva-lingam in Kullu.
The Bijli Mahadev Temple is placed on a spur at an elevation of 2460 meters.
As the name suggests, the temple is frequently struck by lightning (bijli, lightning).
Vashishta Hot Water Spring
The water from the spring is believed to be medicated, curing the skin problems. Taking a dip in the waters is thus considered highly pious ritual.
Lakes
Some of the places in Kullu would seem ethereal in the tranquility and beautiful lakes are also among them- Bhrigu lake, Servalsar lake, Mantlai lake and Dashir lake.
Great Himalayan National Park
Wildlife tourism can be easily clubbed with a hill station, if the place to be toured is Kullu.
This national park is known to house some rare high altitude animals and birds that are not found commonly otherwise.
Bhuntar - Only 10 Km in between, finding accommodation here is quite common and thus tourists find a way to enjoy this village as well.
Raison - Some 12 K away from Kullu is Raison, another heaven for days to be spent languidly. The place is known for camping activities.
Manali - Kullu and Manali occur simultaneously in many travel packages and many tourists who are not familiar with the places in India, think of them as one, even when they are separated by a distance of more than 40 Km.
Manikaran - Approx. 40 Km ahead, Kullu has this village as its neighbor, which is in no way less enchanting.
Lahaul Spiti - With a distance of 180 Km in between, an adventure freak can look for a cycle ride from Kullu to the valleys of Lahul and Spiti- real thrill indeed.
Other places that could be explored in addition to Kullu are Malana Village and Shimla.
Silver and turquoise jewellery is also very popular in Kullu and so are "Thangkas", which are cloth paintings with Buddhist themes.
Also famous in Kullu are rugs, carpets and handicrafts and Tibetan articles like armlets, masks and musical instruments, apart from locally made jams and pickles that are delicious. Another must try in Kullu are their naturally made shampoo, natural oils, such as lavender and primrose oil etc.
What to buy?
From handloom to antiques to handicrafts, you will find a huge option of items which you may buy for yourself or gift them to your family and friends.
Some popular items to buy in Kullu are:
Some popular shops and markets in and around Kullu are:
Planet Food and Hotel Sarvari in Dhalpur are the two well-known multi-cuisine restaurants in Kullu; the restaurants offer delicious fast food including pizzas and burgers.
Hot Stuff and Planet Food in Dhalpur serve pizzas and burgers, ideal for a quick bite. Hotel Sheetal and Restaurant is ideal for people looking for serene environs and quality dining experience.
Some of the must-try vegetarian dishes in Kullu include kaddu ka khatta, guchhi matter and sepu vadi. Non-vegetarians can try Kullu trout, chicken anardana and grilled fish. Kodra (cereal), Patrodu, Sattu and Salyana are the other local dishes that tourists can try in Kullu.
Lunch/dinner without sweet dish remains incomplete and traditional sweet dishes Mittha and Nasasta are the two must-try sweet dishes here.
There are lots of restaurants and cafes on the Mall Road offering local cuisines as well as Indian, Continental and Chinese food. The Spice House restaurant at Himalayan Hamlet and Shobla International at Dusshera Ground, Kullu, offers a host of local cuisines that are worth trying. Tourists fond of wine can try the homemade wines like Chakti and Lugri.
Five Star Hotels
Kullu Map
Location of Kullu:
Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Kullu, the capital town of the Kullu District is positioned at an altitude of 1200 m above sea level at the confluence of Beas and Sarvari rivers in the Kullu Valley at approximately 10km north of the airport at Bhuntar. It is sited at 240 km north of Shimla.
Visualize River Beas confluence in the valley of Kullu hill station and some other images come flooding to mind like -
- imposing Greater Himalayas, Lower Himalayas and Pir Pinjal flaunting shades of white and brown in summer and all white in winters
- simple residents of the valley in places such as Malana who still stick to their culture with fewer traces of modern world
- forests of pine and deodar trees of significant height appearing dense in morning and dangerous at nights
- natural opulence at it best during sunrise and sunset in the broad valley located between Manali and Largi
- hot water springs and people taking a holy dip out of faith more than medicinal benefit
- hills, their rocky ridges, and orchards of different fruits
How to reach there
Air :Thanks to the Kullu Manali (Bhuntar) Airport, reaching Kullu is just an effort of 10 Km by road.
Rail :
Nearest railway station to Kullu is Joginder Nagar which is 120 km away. Other options of railway stations include Kiratpur (200 Km away) and Una (260 Km away).
Road :
Kullu is directly connected from Delhi, Shimla and Chandigarh with around four routes each to reach to the hill destination under discussion.
Best Season, Climate, and Clothing:
The climate in Kullu is alpine. Summers (April-June) are gentle and
winters are really cold (November-February). It is hit by southwestern
monsoon rains in July-September. Kullu is best visited during the
summers, between the months of April and June. However, it can also be
traveled to in October to enjoy the Dussehra festival.
Tourist Attractions on your Kullu tour to India
Time to worship God can be easily found in places like these where presence of divine could be felt in every speck of dirt; in temples as well as in the company of Nature. Following are the integrals of Kullu tourism -
Raghunath Temple
Category : Religious
One of the prime tourist attractions of Kullu is the Raghunath Temple which is dedicated to Lord Ram, one of the most important deities of Hinduism.
The king got an idol of Lord Ram from Ayodhaya and placed it in this temple.
Bijli Mahadev
Lord Siva is considered to be among the most worshipped Hindu God and this temple is one of the most intricately decorated abode with the Shiva-lingam in Kullu.
The Bijli Mahadev Temple is placed on a spur at an elevation of 2460 meters.
As the name suggests, the temple is frequently struck by lightning (bijli, lightning).
Vashishta Hot Water Spring
The water from the spring is believed to be medicated, curing the skin problems. Taking a dip in the waters is thus considered highly pious ritual.
Lakes
Some of the places in Kullu would seem ethereal in the tranquility and beautiful lakes are also among them- Bhrigu lake, Servalsar lake, Mantlai lake and Dashir lake.
Great Himalayan National Park
Wildlife tourism can be easily clubbed with a hill station, if the place to be toured is Kullu.
This national park is known to house some rare high altitude animals and birds that are not found commonly otherwise.
Places Around Kullu
With the luxury of time, following places located nearby Kullu can
find space in tourists' itinerary as well and would amaze them as much
as Kullu did- Bhuntar - Only 10 Km in between, finding accommodation here is quite common and thus tourists find a way to enjoy this village as well.
Raison - Some 12 K away from Kullu is Raison, another heaven for days to be spent languidly. The place is known for camping activities.
Manali - Kullu and Manali occur simultaneously in many travel packages and many tourists who are not familiar with the places in India, think of them as one, even when they are separated by a distance of more than 40 Km.
Manikaran - Approx. 40 Km ahead, Kullu has this village as its neighbor, which is in no way less enchanting.
Lahaul Spiti - With a distance of 180 Km in between, an adventure freak can look for a cycle ride from Kullu to the valleys of Lahul and Spiti- real thrill indeed.
Other places that could be explored in addition to Kullu are Malana Village and Shimla.
Shopping in Kullu
There is a lot in Kullu to keep shoppers busy. Popular among these
markets is the Tibetan Bazaar where you can pick up Kullu shawls, caps
and other woolen items. Silver and turquoise jewellery is also very popular in Kullu and so are "Thangkas", which are cloth paintings with Buddhist themes.
Also famous in Kullu are rugs, carpets and handicrafts and Tibetan articles like armlets, masks and musical instruments, apart from locally made jams and pickles that are delicious. Another must try in Kullu are their naturally made shampoo, natural oils, such as lavender and primrose oil etc.
What to buy?
From handloom to antiques to handicrafts, you will find a huge option of items which you may buy for yourself or gift them to your family and friends.
Some popular items to buy in Kullu are:
- Kullu Shawl: This is one of the most popular handloom products of Kullu, worn by both men and women, measuring 1 by 2 meters in size, it is known as a "Chaddar" when worn by men and as a "shawl" when worn by women. The shawl is made out of merino, angora, pashmina or local sheep wool.
- Pullas: These are slippers made out of grass.
- Pattu: This is a blanket worn by the women of the valley over their clothes and is fastened with a local silver broach called "Boomini". A Pattu looks like a shawl but is thicker and heavier.
- Kullu Muffler: This is worn by both men and women and is available in different sizes for both.
- Loi: This is a men's shawl and is woven into a light woolen fabric.
- Patti: This is a short width local tweed and is used to make pants and coats.
Some popular shops and markets in and around Kullu are:
- Tibetan Market: Its is popular for its woolen items likes Kullu shawls and caps. You will also find various Tibetan souvenirs, jewellery, thangkas (Buddhist cloth paintings) and other imported items.
- Bookworm: It is a book store located in the Notified Area Committee Market behind bus stand, near post office in Manali. It has a good collection of Indian and world literature.
- Sultanpur Market: This is a place where you will easily find a large variety of traditional jewellery.
- Markets between Kullu and Manali: These markets are famous for driftwood products which are basically carved out of wood pieces that get drifted away due to flow of nearby rivers and streams. Ramshilla and Babeli which are at a distance of 2 km and 7 km from Kullu bus stand, respectively, on the national Highway to Manali are famous for such items.
Eating Out in Kullu
Eating out in Kullu is all about trying some lip smacking local cuisines, Indian and Chinese food, pizzas and Tibetan momos. Planet Food and Hotel Sarvari in Dhalpur are the two well-known multi-cuisine restaurants in Kullu; the restaurants offer delicious fast food including pizzas and burgers.
Hot Stuff and Planet Food in Dhalpur serve pizzas and burgers, ideal for a quick bite. Hotel Sheetal and Restaurant is ideal for people looking for serene environs and quality dining experience.
Some of the must-try vegetarian dishes in Kullu include kaddu ka khatta, guchhi matter and sepu vadi. Non-vegetarians can try Kullu trout, chicken anardana and grilled fish. Kodra (cereal), Patrodu, Sattu and Salyana are the other local dishes that tourists can try in Kullu.
Lunch/dinner without sweet dish remains incomplete and traditional sweet dishes Mittha and Nasasta are the two must-try sweet dishes here.
There are lots of restaurants and cafes on the Mall Road offering local cuisines as well as Indian, Continental and Chinese food. The Spice House restaurant at Himalayan Hamlet and Shobla International at Dusshera Ground, Kullu, offers a host of local cuisines that are worth trying. Tourists fond of wine can try the homemade wines like Chakti and Lugri.
Kullu Hotels
At all Kullu hotels the following facilities are accessible:
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If you are your next holiday program as a trip to Kullu then lodging at any of the Kullu hotels will help you experience an unforgettable stay in this lovely town. |
Five Star Hotels
Four Star Hotels
Three Star Hotels
Other Hotels
Kullu Map
