About Kullu Manali

Kullu, also known as the Valley of Gods, is a beautiful district in Himachal Pradesh. The valley earned its nickname because of the belief that it had once been home to many Hindu Gods, Goddesses, and divine souls. Situated at an elevation of 1230 meters on the banks of the Beas River, it is known for its magnificent natural surroundings.

Originally known, as Kul-anti-peetha, meaning the farthest point of the inhabitable world, Kullu also finds mention in great Indian epics like the Mahabharata & the Ramayana as well as the Vishnu Purana. Founded by a native of Tripura known as Behangamani Pal, the history of this beautiful hill station dates back to the 1st century.

This mesmerizing summer destination is covered with steep hills, deodar forests, rivers, and apple orchards & is famous among tourists from all across the world for its natural beauty. Apart from this, Kullu is also known for its ancient forts, religious sites, wildlife sanctuaries, and dams. Considered an ideal summer destination, the weather of Kullu always remains pleasant during this season. Winters are, however, freezing as the region experiences snowfall during this time.

To enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing, March and June are perfect, while the months of October and November are ideal for river rafting, rock climbing, hiking, and trekking.

1: Raghunath Temple

Raghunath temple is a religious site in Manali devoted to the Hindu deity, Raghunath Ji. The idol enshrined in the temple is believed to be from the Tretnath temple of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. This temple, constructed in 1650 AD, showcases the beautiful combination of Pyramidal and Pahari.

2: Manali

The poetic tourist town Manali lies at the far northern end of the Kullu Valley. Crowned atop the scenic mountains of Himachal Pradesh, Manali, nestled at an elevation of 2000 meters, is one of the most preferred holiday destinations in North India. The surrounding area of Old Manali is bound to leave one astounded by its sheer natural beauty. Scenic hills dressed in lush green attire, spell-binding valleys scented with the smell of pines, and the trout-filled Beas River gurgling down the mountains perfectly complement each other to create the magical realm of Manali.

3: Kulant Pith

Kulwant Pith, situated at Vishnu Kund in the state of Himachal Pradesh, is amongst the most superior piths in the country. According to folklore, Lord Shiva, the Hindu deity, resided here. As a reason, this place attracts numerous pilgrims. This pith has a tank containing holy water, believed to be capable of conceding salvation to devotees.

4: Guru Nanak Devji Gurudwara

Guru Nanak Devji Gurudwara is a renowned tourist destination located at Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh. According to a text in the ‘Twarikh Guru Khalsa’ written by Giani Gian Singh, Guru Nanak Dev visited Manikaran with five disciples for the welfare of the place.

5: Hot Spring

The most popular tourist destination in Manikaran is the hot springs, one situated at the Guru Nanak Devji Gurudwara and another in the River Parvati. The hot spring on the banks of the Parvati River is also a popular tourist attraction.

6: Khirganga

Khirganga is a well-known tourist destination located at Manikaran. It's believed that the white water of Hot Springs has medicinal properties. Etymologically, the name Khirganga came from the white water of the hot springs. The spring water gets its creamy white color due to sulfur, which floats up to the surface.

7: Pulga

Pulga, located 18 km from Manikaran, is a prominent tourist destination in Manikaran. Pulga is considered nature’s paradise by many, surrounded by beautiful pine forests and several trekking routes. Visitors interested in trekking can undertake the 16 km route with the climbing opportunity. This route connects Pulga with Kasol. Visitors can also trek to Manikaran and Khirganga from Pulga.

8: Malana

Malana is at an altitude of 3029 meters above sea level, on the banks of the Malana River & offers mesmerizing views of the Deo Tiba and Chandrakhani peaks. The lifestyle of the locals is simple as Malana is untouched by the glamour of city life. Known for its serene atmosphere and rich culture, Malana has been a part of several documentaries, including Malana-A Lost Identity and Malana, Globalization of a Himalayan Village. It's also believed that the natives of Malana are the descendants of Aryans.

9: Raison

Raison, nestled at an altitude of 1433 meters above sea level, is situated at a distance of about 16 km from Kullu. Located on the banks of the river Beas, Raison is well known for its camping sites and white-water river rafting. Numerous apple orchards and fruit gardens of plums and apricots add to the beauty of the place. By the end of the winter season, in the month of March, the whole region becomes colorful with blooming flowers.

10: Basheshwar Mahadev Temple

Basheshwar Mahadev Temple is in the village of Bajura of the Kullu District on the National Highway 21 at a distance of 15 km from the town. The temple, situated on the banks of River Beas, is known for its stone carvings, sculptures, and flat-topped towers. The temple enshrines an idol of the Yoni Lingam, which represents God Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvat.

11: Chandrakhani Pass

Chandrakhani Pass is at an elevation of 3600 meters above sea level in the valley of Parbati. Chandrakhani Pass is famous for its natural beauty & serves as a perfect trekking base. The months between May and October are ideal for trekking through this Pass.

12: Hanogi Mata Temple

Hanogi Mata Temple is a famous religious center of Kullu that lies on the Mandi Manali National Highway. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Hango Mata & visited by devotees all the year. The location of this temple is quite picturesque as it is on the top of a small peak surrounded by green mountains.

13: Beas Kund

Beas Kund, known as the origin of the Beas River, is a prominent tourist site in Manali. The place is considered sacred by people belonging to the Hindu religion. They believe that the Beas Kund was used by Rishi Vyas as a bathing place. According to locals, taking a dip in this sacred lake cures all kinds of skin ailments. The Beas Kund is sheltered by an igloo like stone formation. This formation acts as the base for treks to the Friendship Peak, Shitidhar Peak, Hanuman Tibba Peak and Ladakhi Peak.

14: Hadimba Temple

Hadimba Temple is one of the most prominent religious sites in Manali. A cave temple, it is dedicated to Hadimba Devi, the sister of Hadimb who is a demon from the Hindu mythology Located at the foothills of the Himalayas it is bounded by forests of cedar. This temple was constructed over a large rock emerging from the ground and dates back to 1553. This rock inside the temple is worshipped by devotees as a representation of the deity. According to a local legend the king responsible for the erection of the temple ordered the amputation of the right hands of the artisans who worked on its construction. He did this in order to avoid the construction of a similar masterpiece. A ceremony called the ‘Ghor Pooja’, which involves seeking blessings from the goddess by a ceremonial horse, is organised at this temple. This religious site is thronged by devotees on the 14th of May, which is believed to be the birthday of the presiding deity.

15: Vashisht Village

Vashisht Village is a prominent tourist attraction in Manali, known for its sandstone temples and natural springs. This village lies 6 km from Manali, on the banks of the Ravi River. The natural springs in this village are believed to have medicinal properties capable of curing any skin ailment. According to Hindu mythology, the hot sulfur springs in Vashisht were formed by the younger brother of the deity Rama, Lakshman. Tourists can visit the Hot Bath Complex, a 10-minute walk from the city center. A temple, which enshrines a black stone figure of a ‘Rishi’ or sage wearing a loin cloth, is located close to the springs.

16: Old Manali

Old Manali is a picturesque town located at a distance of around 3 km from Manali. The place is popular among tourists for its old guesthouses, temples, monasteries, and several orchards. Other attractions include the ruins of Manaligarh Fort and the temple of Manu Maharishi, devoted to a famous Hindu sage known as Manu. The period between May and October is ideal for visiting this place. Visitors can also plan trips to the Solang Valley and the Hadimba Temple, the famous nearby tourist attractions.

17: Manali Wildlife Sanctuary

Manali Wildlife Sanctuary, sprawling over a small area of 31.8 sq km, is one of the popular tourist attractions in Manali. On 26th February 1954, the place got declared a sanctuary under the Punjab Birds and Wild Animals Protection Act of 1933. This sanctuary is abode to several endangered and rare species of animals, reptiles, mammals, and birds. However, travelers can mostly see barking deer, Kashmir flying squirrel, Himalayan black bear, flying fox, Himalayan yellow-throated marten, and Himalayan palm civets in this sanctuary.

18: Bhrigu Lake

Bhrigu Lake is a water body holding religious significance to the Hindus. The lake is amid the Great Himalayas & is said to be the site where Rishi Bhrigu, one of the seven renowned sages of the Hindu religion, meditated while residing on the Earth. It's also believed that Rishi Bhrigu wrote the Bhrigu Samhita, an astrological manuscript with predictions of the future & records of the past at this place.

19: Friendship Peak

Friendship Peak, situated in the Pir Panjal Range at an elevation of 5289 meters above sea level, is one of the prominent tourist attractions in Manali. The peak is in the Beas Kund region, with Solang Nala as the closest road head. The destination is at a distance of 18 km from the main town of Solang Valley.

20: Sultanpur Palace

Sultanpur Palace, popularly known as the Rupi palace, is a magnificent palace located in the Kullu. Several miniature paintings in the Kullu style can be seen at this palace. This palace is famous for its architecture, a combination of local and colonial architectural styles.

21: Gaurishankar Temple

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Gauri Shankar Temple is said to be the last monument built in the Gujara Pratihara traditions. The main attractions of the temple are its stone carvings and the front of the Garbhagriha, or a small unlit shrine, which features carvings of the figures of the Hindu god Ganesh, flowers, a musician, and a dancer.

22: Deo Tibba

Deo Tibba, located to the southeast of Manali at an altitude of 6001 meters, is popular among tourists as a base for trekking. While undertaking a trek to Deo Tibba, travelers will come across the Jagatsukh Village, situated 5 km from Manali. From there, the travelers need to walk to Khanol, which lies at an altitude of 2200 meters.

23: Gushaini Tourism

Gushaini is a beautiful town located in the valley of Tirthan in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh. At an elevation of 4500 ft above sea level, this place is also known as Trout Country as it is a popular destination for trout fishing. The Great Himalayan National park, 20 km from Gushaini, is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the region.

24: Naggar

Naggar is a prominent tourist destination in the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh. Historically, Naggar is an ancient town and the oldest capital of Kullu with naturalistic views, especially to the North West of the valley. There are numerous sightseeing attractions in Naggar, of which the most popular destinations are Jagatipatt and Naggar Castle.

25: Rohtang Pass

Rohtang Pass is a lofty mountain pathway visited by tourists during the summers. This pass is situated 51 km away from Manali and connects Kullu with Lahaul and Spiti. Rohtang Pass is 4111 meters above sea level and offers a beautiful view of mountains, scenic landscapes, and glaciers. Apart from a gateway to other tourist regions, Rohtang Pass serves as an ideal trek base. Tourists can undertake activities like Mountain biking, Paragliding, and Skiing at this site. This pass opens up for tourists in May and shuts down in September due to heavy snowfall.

26: Jagatsukh

Jagatsukh Village, the former capital of Kullu, is one of the biggest villages in the region and is known for its various religious centers. The place is primarily known for an old temple known as the Shiva Temple, constructed in the shikhara style consisting of a flat-topped pyramid-like structure. There is also a chalet-roofed temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Sandhya Devi.

27: Arjun Gufa

Arjun Gufa is an important tourist attraction located approximately 5 km from the famous town Manali. The nearest village to Arjun Gufa is Prini, known for its rustic beauty. The legend of the site is linked to the Mahabharata period, when Arjun performed penance, following which he attained success and acquired the famous Pashupata Ashtra, a weapon from Lord Indra. Arjun Gufa is approximately a half-day excursion within Manali and offers viewers stunning sights of the beautiful snow-capped mountain ranges within the Himalayas.

28: Solang Valley

Solang Valley is one of the renowned attractions in Manali that is popular among skiers for its 300 meters high ski lift. The valley, also known as the Snow Point, is situated between the Solang Village and the Beas Kund. During winters, the Solang Valley remains thronged by tourists participating in the Winter Skiing Festival. Various activities, such as Skiing, Paragliding, Zorbing, and horse riding, can be taken up by visitors while being at the Solang Valley.

29: The Great Himalayan National Park

The Great Himalayan National Park, otherwise known as Jawahar Lal Nehru Great Himalayan Park, is one of the prominent tourist attractions of Kullu. The National park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including over 30 species of mammals and more than 300 species of birds. It is known for the western tragopans, a highly endangered species of birds. The park, along with the Kanawar Wildlife Sanctuary, the Rupi Bhabha Sanctuary, and the Pin Valley National Park, make up one of the largest areas of ecosystems of the Western Himalayan region in North India that are relatively undisturbed.

30: Adi Brahma Temple

Adi Brahma Temple is one of the few temples in India devoted to the Hindu god of creation, Brahma. This temple is in the village of Khokhan, at a distance of around 4 km from Bhuntar. The temple is made of fine wood and enshrines an idol of Brahma along with a chariot, mohras, or' monumental masks. The temple displays the Pagoda style of architecture & the entrance gate of the temple has carvings that narrate stories related to mythology.

31: Triyug Narayan Temple

The Triyug Narayan Temple, devoted to the Hindu Lord Vishnu, is located in the village of Dyar, around 12 km from Bhuntar. The temple showcases the Pagoda style of architecture, believed to have been constructed in 800 AD. This temple enshrines an idol of Vishnu, measuring up to four feet in height, along with some small metal statues of Buddha.

32: Bijli Mahadev Temple

Bijli Mahadev Temple, situated along the banks of the Beas River, is a popular pilgrimage site of Manali. Dedicated to God Shiva, the Hindu god, this site is located at an elevation of 2450 meters above sea level.

33: Pandoh Dam

Pandoh dam, built on the Beas river, is a hydroelectric power generating dam. Kullu and Manali receive their power supply from this dam at large. Falling on the route to Manali from Kullu, the dam serves as a halt point for travelers to stop and enjoy the beauty of the place.

34: Pin Valley National Park

Pin Valley National Park, situated in the Valley of Spiti, is the only national park in Himachal Pradesh. The park is home to around 20 species of animals and birds and is known for protecting the endangered snow leopard. Some animals commonly found here include the pika, bharal, chukar, weasel, golden eagle, ibex, Himalayan chough, marten, red fox, snow cock, griffon, bearded vulture, and raven. The flora of the Pin Valley consists of around 400 plant species along with herbs and spices. Travelers will have to get the permission of the Director of Pin Valley Park to enter this park.

35: Kangra Valley

Kangra is a tourist destination located at the meeting point of the Manjhi and Bener streams in Himachal Pradesh. Nestled in Kangra Valley between Dhauladhar Range and Shivalik Range, this city overlooks the Banganga stream. It is also commonly known as Dev Bhumi, which means the abode of the Gods. According to the Vedas, various non-Aryan tribal communities resided here before the arrival of the Aryans.

36: Dhauladhar Ranges

The Dhauladhar Range of mountains is the major tourist attraction in Kangra District. Visitors can go for adventurous treks in this chain of mountains and bask in the spellbinding beauty of the region. Hanuman-Ka-Tiba, or White mountain, is the highest peak in the mountain range. Famous as the Outer Himalayas or Lesser Himalayas, this range begins near Dalhousie in the northwest and passes through the areas that fall near the banks of Beas River in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh. The altitude of the Dhauladhar Range varies between 3500 and 6000 meters above sea level. Visitors can enjoy the mesmerizing view of the mountains from Kangra Valley.

37: Manali Zoo

Manali Zoo is a popular attraction in the city, famous for monal, the state bird of Himachal Pradesh. Adult male monals have long metallic green crests with multicolored plumage & the females are rather plain with a mix of brown and black plumage. For a long time, male monals were being hunted for their brilliantly colored crest until hunting was banned in 1982.

38: Tirthan Valley

Nestled amidst the majestic Kullu region, Tirthan Valley is a hidden gem that promises an extraordinary tourism experience for nature enthusiasts. Embraced by the captivating Himalayan landscape, this serene valley boasts pristine rivers, lush forests, and charming villages, offering a tranquil haven away from the bustling city life. With its delightful trekking trails, thrilling adventure sports, and abundant wildlife, Tirthan Valley becomes a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts seeking solace and adventure alike. Immerse yourself in the local culture and traditions, as the valley showcases its warm hospitality and rich heritage. Whether you\'re strolling along the riverbanks or gazing at the starlit skies, Tirthan Valley captivates every wanderer\'s heart, leaving behind cherished memories of an unforgettable journey amidst nature\'s splendor. Embark on a soul-stirring trip to Tirthan Valley and discover the perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural charm that awaits you in this mesmerizing destination.\r\n

How To Reach Kullu Manali

By Air - Bhuntar Airport also known as Kullu Manali Airport or Kullu Airport is the nearest domestic air base located at a distance of around 10 kms to Kullu City.

By Rail - Joginder Nagar Railway Station is the closest rail link to Kullu, situated at a distance of around 125 kms.

By Road - Kullu is well connected with its nearest destinations via state bus services of Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation. From Delhi, Chandigarh, Pathankot, and Shimla, tourists can avail deluxe buses of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation.

Local Transport - Taxis are easily available here for local transport. The nearby attractions can be covered on foot as well.

Traditional Food (Regional cusine of Kullu Manali)

Here are some famous dishes and places to eat in Kullu-Manali:

1. Dham:

- Specialty: A traditional Himachali feast served on special occasions, consisting of dishes like Chana Madra, Dahi Bada, and more.

- Where to Try: Local festivals and special events often serve Dham. Ask at your hotel or check with local authorities for any ongoing events.

2. Chana Madra:

- Specialty: Chickpeas cooked in a yogurt-based gravy with spices and garnished with coriander.

- Where to Try: Local Himachali restaurants and dhabas in Manali serve Chana Madra.

3. Dahi Bada:

- Specialty: Deep-fried lentil dumplings served with yogurt and various chutneys.

- Where to Try: You can find Dahi Bada in local eateries and street food stalls.

4. Babru:

- Specialty: A Himachali version of the popular Indian snack, puri, but slightly thicker and typically served with chana (chickpea curry).

- Where to Try: Babru is available at local breakfast joints and street food stalls.

5. Momos:

- Specialty: Steamed or fried dumplings filled with vegetables or meat, served with spicy sauces.

- Where to Try: Manali is known for its momos; you can find them in local markets and street food stalls.

6. Trout Fish:

- Specialty: Freshly caught trout fish, often grilled or prepared with local Himachali spices.

- Where to Try: Local restaurants and eateries, especially in Manali, serve delicious trout dishes.

7. Chana Samosa:

- Specialty: Samosas filled with spicy chickpeas, a popular snack in the region.

- Where to Try: Look for local samosa vendors and street food stalls.

8. The Johnson's Cafe and Hotel, Manali:

- Specialty: A popular restaurant known for its international and Himachali cuisine, including trout dishes and Dham.

9. Chopsticks, Manali:

- Specialty: If you're craving Chinese or Tibetan cuisine, Chopsticks is a great place for momos and other Asian dishes.

10. Mount View Restaurant, Kullu:

- Specialty: Offers a range of local and North Indian dishes, including Chana Madra and Dahi Bada.

11. Mall Road, Manali:

- Specialty: Explore Manali's Mall Road for numerous restaurants, cafes, and street food stalls offering a wide variety of cuisines.

Kullu-Manali not only offers a scenic mountain escape but also a chance to savor the flavors of Himachali cuisine. These dishes and eateries provide a delightful culinary experience during your visit to this picturesque region. Enjoy your food journey in Kullu-Manali!