The
most charming and beautiful Kulu valley
spreads out its charm on either side of
river Beas. The valley runs north to south
of this river and is 80kms. long and about
2kms. at its broadest. Yet with awe inspiring
glens and mossy mead-
-ows encircled by the rushing streams and
meandering brooks, flung east & west,
a fairly wide area is open to the tourists,
the trekkers, the mountaineers, the artists
and to anyone who wishes to escape the heat
& dust of the plains to
breathe the exhilarating air of the Himalaya
and enjoy the spectacle of the variegated
mountain scenery. The valley is also famous
for its exquisitely woven colourful hand
made shawls and kullu caps.
Located
in Himachal Pradesh, the Himalayan Jewel. Kullu
was once known as Kulanthpitha-'the end of the
habitatable world'. Beyond rise the forbidding
heights of the Greater Himalaya, and by the banks
of the shining river Beas, lies the fabled 'Silver
Valley'. The town of Kullu is famous for its colourful
Dussehra festival. Decorated palanquins and processions
convey gods and goddesses from temples all over
the valley to Kullu, to pay homage to the reigning
deity, Raghunathji. A mela springs up during the
festival which is celebrated with a great deal
of singing, dancing and festivity.
BIJLI MAHADEV SHRINE (2460 m):
10kms. from Kulu across the Beas river, Bijli
Mahadev temple is one of the striking temples
in the temples strewn district. It can be reached
by a tough but rewarding climb of 10 kms. trek.
From the temple a panoramic view of Kulu &
Paravati valleys can be seen. A 60 feet high staff
of Bijli Mahadev temple glistens like a silver
needle in the sun. in this temple of lightening
it is said, the tall staff attracts the divine
blessings in the form of lightening. The rest
of the story can be heard from the priest, which
is un-believable but
VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE:
At a distance of 4kms. from Dhalpur, a small cave
enshrines an image of Goddess Vaishno Devi.
NAGGAR (1760 m): On the left bank of the Beas,
Naggar is delightfully situated on a wooded slope
and commands an extensive view. It was the capital
of erstwhile Kulu state for about 1400 years.
There are large number of famous temples notably
Vishnu, Tripura Sundari & Lord Krishana. Cars
and jeeps easily go upto the Naggar castle. Roerich
art gallery which houses the paintings of Nicholas
Roerich as well as his sculptures , is less than
a km. from the Castle. Naggar is also a base for
undertaking treks to Chanderkhani Pass and to
remote valley of Malana.
MANALI
40
kms. away from Kulu to the north, Manali
is situated near the end of the valley on
the National Highway leading to Leh. The
landscape here is breath taking. One sees
well-defined snow capped peaks, the Beas
river with its clear water meanders through
the town. On the other side are deodar and
pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards.
It is an excellent place for a holiday,
a favorite resort for trekkers to Lahaul,
Spiti, Kinnaur, Leh and Zanskar regions
in Kashmir valley. It is known as the SWITZERLAND
OF INDIA.
ROHTANG
PASS:Situated
about 51 km from Manali town at an altitude
of 4,111 meters (13,400 ft.) on the highway
to Keylong, is Rohtang Pass. Here one
sees the majesty of the mountains at its
height and splendour. At the top of the
Pass the air seems to glitter against
the snow as you look down over herringboned
ridges into the Lahaul Valley. There is
a beautiful Doshohar Lake left to the
pass, where pilgrims go every year on
the auspicious day of 20th Bhadon. This
is the only access to Lahaul valley. The
pass is open from June to September each
year although trekkers can across the
pass a little earlier. Rohtang pass is
the gateway to Lahaul valley just as Zojila
pass in between Kashmir valley and Ladakh
HADIMBA TEMPLE: Manali has many
attractions but the chief centre of interest,
historically and archeologically, is undoubtedly
the DHOONGRI TEMPLE dedicated to goddess Hadimba,
the Bhim of Mahabharat fame. It has four-tiered
Pagoda shaped roof and the doorway is carved with
legendary figures and symbols. This temple located
amidst wooden forest of deodar is about 2.5 kms.
from the tourist office. It is a pleasant experience
to stroll in the temple complex which was built
in 1533 A.D. A large festival is held here in
May.
VASHIST HOT WATER SPRINGS AND TEMPLE (3
kms): Vashist, a small village located
on the left bank of river Beas towards Rohtang
pass is worth a visit. It is renowned for its
hot springs and temples. Nearby is the pyramidal
stone temple dedicated to Vashist Muni. There
is another Temple of Lord Ram here. Natural hot
sulphur springs with two separate bathing tanks
for gents and ladies are always full of tourists.
Turkish style showers fitted baths have also been
built nearby. Hot water from the nearby spring
is provided for bathing. NEHRU KUND: 5 kms. on National
Highway to Leh,a natural spring of cold clear
water named after Pt. Jwahar Lal Nehru, who used
to drink water from this spring during his stay
in Manali. This spring is believed to originate
from the Bhrigu lake situated high-up in the mountains. ARJUN GUFA(CAVE): 4kms. from
Manali towards Naggar, the cave is situated near
Prini village 1km. above the road where Arjun
had meditated. This is good 1/2 a day excursion
with charming view of the brilliant mountains.
