The area north of Mandi (760 m) as far as the Rohtang Pass, leading to Lahaulu and Spit, it is called the Kulu Valley. On the south side, the valley covers only the narrow and very steep riverbed of the Beas River (Bias). Some stretches of road, built along the Beas, rise to dangerous heights above 300 meters above the river.
The further north, thus the valley area widens, however, it does not take more than two kilometers, which is quite surprising compared to the 80 km width. Apple and stone fruit orchards grow in the flat and lower areas of Kulu, Rice and wheat are also grown here. The landscape of mountain slopes covered with dense forests of Himalayan cedars is completely different, over which the snow-capped rocky peaks dominate. The main cities of the valley are Kulu and Manali located in the arable lands.
There is talk of the inhabitants of the Kulu Valley, that they are extremely polite people, pious, not avoiding hard work and quite well-off at the same time. Men wear characteristic caps with a small flap sewn on to the front, behind which flowers are sticking. Traditional women's clothing is long woolen dresses made of hand-woven fabric, fastened with large silver pins and decorated with lots of silver jewelry. Almost all of them carry conical baskets filled with forage on their backs, firewood, sometimes even a little kid looks out of them.
A large part of the valley's inhabitants are nomads, called Gaddis. In summer, they graze sheep and goats, which they bring from the mountains only in winter. If someone seems to, that he is no stranger to the smell of wool, it was after a joint journey in a crowded bus with shepherds soaked in the rain, understand, how poor and distant his ideas were!
Many Tibetan refugees have also settled in the Kulu Valley. The lucky few run restaurants and hotels today, the rest live in camps by the river. Tibetans are known for their love of trade, which you can best see, visiting the nearby bazaar.
Despite its popularity, the Kuiu Valley has not lost its distinctive, peaceful and idyllic atmosphere. Because of the constant riots in Kashmir, Valley, and especially Manali, have been a destination for tourists for some time, wanting to enjoy the snow. This resulted in an incredibly fast expansion of tourist facilities. There are now over 400 hotels in the Manali area, whereas eight years ago there were only fifty. Unfortunately, this growth seems completely unplanned. New, more and more modern hotels are springing up like mushrooms, taking away the charm of the hitherto unspoiled area. One can only think about it, what will happen to the hotels, when the conflicts in Kashmir will be resolved.
COST
The administrative capital of the valley is situated high 1200 m Great, while Manali is the tourist center. Nevertheless, travelers coming to Kulu should not get bored, especially since there are many interesting buildings here, and the city itself is a great base for trips around the area.
Kulu occupies the west bank of the Beas River. A characteristic feature of the southern part of the city are undeveloped squares covered with grass (maidan), where fairs and local holidays take place. The most interesting of them is undoubtedly the Dussehr festival, full of exotic attractions (Dashra), from which the Kulu Valley was called the Valley of the Gods.
Orientation and information
travel agency (deed in summer. codz., 9.00-19.00, in winter, 10.00-17.00; 2349) it is located near the square, at the southern end of the city. There is also an information desk at the airport.
There is a taxi rank on the opposite side of the square, bus stop, most hotels, several HPTDC accommodation centers, and the State Bank of India. By the river, in the north of Kulu, the main bus station was located.
Temples
Temple of Raghunatha (sightseeing from 17.00), the most revered god in the Kulu Valley, it is located north of the center. It is the most important religious building in the area, but it does not stand out with anything special. So better to go to the village of Bhekhli, 3 km of Kulu, where the temple of the goddess Jagannathi rises. To get here, you have to overcome quite a steep and tiring trail – as a reward, however, we will see a magnificent view of the city spreading from the temple. After crossing the Sarawaj Bridge, follow the path that goes from the main road to Akhara Bazaar.
At distance 4 km outside the city, on the road from Kulu to Manali, there is a temple of the goddess (Devi) Good morning. In fact, it is a small cave with an image of a goddess inside.
To the located 8 km beyond the Kulu temple of Bijli Mahadeva can only be reached by jeep. The building rises across the river, on hard-to-reach rocks. A long bar is placed on the roof 20 meters, which, as the locals believe, attracts blessings in the form of lightning. The people of Kulu also believe, that at least once a year lightning destroys the statue of Siva, and its miraculous rectification is due to the pujahari.
The famous temple of Mahadeva Baśe-Sara is located in Bazaur, 15 km south of Kulu, on the main road. It has beautiful stone carvings and reliefs. In the north, on the west and east walls there are huge stone tablets with images of a god carved on them. Accommodation is offered by PWD Rest House.