Kullu district

Introduction :

Nestled in the lap of the majestic Himalayas, Kullu is a veritable jewel in the crown of Himachal Pradesh. The breathtaking beauty of its marvelous landscapes, the hospitality of its people, their distinctive lifestyle and rich culture have enthralled travelers for aeons.

Kullu is the capital town Kullu district, 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.

This valley is known for its temples and its hills covered with pineand 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Historical references about the Kullu valley dates back to ancient Hindu literary works of Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas. 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 Karko?a 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.

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. 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. Kullu town lies on the bank of Beas River.

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.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census, 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.

Places in Kullu :

• Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) The India's youngest national park spread over 700 kilometers 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. 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 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 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 from the town. But it is not connected through road.
• International Angora Breeding Farm - The Farm is located 4 Km 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 away from Kullu town.
• "'Beasar Valley"' - This village of kullu is situated 26km away from kullu busstand and 16 km away from temple Bhekhli mata.

Festivals and other activities

• 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. 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.