Kullu

If you are looking for a weekend getaway in North India or a long vacation and are confused about where to go then Kullu Manali is the right choice for you. The name Kullu Manali is often used together, however, there is a distance of 40km from Kullu to Manali. Attracting hundreds of tourists every year, every tourist who visits Manali also visits Kullu. Blessed with immense beauty, Kullu is surrounded by lush greenery, streams, and gives plenty of opportunities for adventure activities. The destination has a reference in epics such as Mahabharata, Ramayana, and famous Chinese travelers who visited Kullu, describing it as a place surrounded by mountains. It is believed that King Ashoka built a stupa in Kullu, however, it was taken away by one of the Mughal kings. Kullu is also called the Land of Gods.

Geography of Kullu

Kullu is located on the banks of River Beas and is perched at an elevation of 1279m above sea level. Popularly known as the Land Of Gods, Kullu is situated in the central part of Himachal Pradesh. The major rivers of Kullu are Beas and Sutlej Rivers. Sutlej River forms the Kullu border. Kullu is a beautiful place offering panoramic views of the valley. Apart from offering beautiful landscapes, Kullu is also a hot spot for major adventure activities.

Plan My Package Recommends: Places To Visit in Kullu

Kullu Shawl Industry(Approx 2.1km from Kullu)

Inspired by Tibet and Central Asia, the design and techniques of producing Kullu shawls are exemplary. Due to the extreme cold during winters in Himachal Pradesh, weaving is a popular activity in Kullu and all over Himachal as well. Wool is used as a ritual cloth in Himachal, and the shawls are woven here, ranging from Kinnauri Shawls to coarse Desar to Pashmina shawls. One can find all types of shawls here, and you even get to see the workers weaving these shawls and you can buy them as well. Located at a distance of approximately 2.1km from Kullu, this Shawl Industry is worth visiting.

Dhakpo Shedeupling Monastery or Kias Monastery(Approx 10km from Kullu)

Dhakpo Shedeupling Monastery, located on the banks of River Beas, also goes by the name Kais Monastery, probably because it is located in Kais Village of Kullu. The monastery is about 10km from Kullu that was established in 2005. The Monastery was established and dedicated to his highness Dalai Lama. There are a few monks who live inside this monastery and also serve as a boarding school or a university as they also teach Buddhist philosophy. One can pray in the prayer hall in front of the statue of Buddha. Due to its location, the monastery offers an aura that provides peace and tranquillity and a serene environment with enchanting surroundings. His holiness Dhakpa Rinpoche pays a visit to this monastery every year to share his teachings.

Dechen Choekhor Mahavira Mahavira Monastery(Approx 12.4km from Kullu)

If you are looking for divinity and peace in Kullu, then visit the Dechen Choekhor Mahavira Monastery, located at a distance of approximately 12.4km from Kullu. It is a holy place in Himachal Pradesh, attracting a lot of tourists every year. The architecture of the monastery will leave you stunned as you notice the Indo-Tibetan style of art. One can find several monks inside the monastery who perform rituals daily. With breathtaking views of the valley, this monastery provides absolute bliss to tourists.

Raison(Approx 14.5km from Kullu)

Raison is a small village, famous for various adventure activities carried out over here, including river rafting, trekking, mountain climbing and so on. The village is situated on the banks of River Beas and is maintained by Himachal Pradesh Tourism. One will find several Apple orchards and fruit garden that adds more beauty to this absolutely beautiful destination and attracts a good number of tourists every year. Raison is located at a distance of 14.5km from Kullu.

Naggar Castle(Approx 22km from Kullu)

The history of Naggar Castle dates back to 1460 AD when it was built by Raja Sidhi Singh. Located at a distance of 22km from Kullu, this historic castle has an ancient and traditional style of architecture, which is a mix of stone and wooden beams, known as Kath Kuni. Before the British took over the castle, the royal family of Kullu used to live here. At present, it is maintained and looked after by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation and serves as a Heritage Hotel. The mountains look absolutely stunning and the panorama of lush green mountains, cool breeze will melt your heart. Apart from providing scenic beauty, the castle also contains paintings of a Russian artist called Nicholas Roerich.

Raghunath Ji Temple(Approx 24.7km from Kullu)

Perched at an elevation of 2050 m above sea level, Raghunath ji is a famous temple in Sultanpur, about 24.7km from Kullu. The history of the temple dates back to the 17th century and was built by Raja Jagat Singh and the temple is built in the unique style of Pahari architecture. The main attraction of the Raghunath Ji temple is the idol of Lord Ram, attracting a good amount of tourists especially during the time Dussehra. A myth follows that Raja Jagat Singh was at fault for the death of a Brahmin family. So the king asked for the advice of a saint on Nagger Village, who advised him to adopt Vaishnavism and then built a temple for Lord Ram.

Places Near Kullu

Manali(40km from Kullu)

Manali, located at a distance of 40km from Kullu, is a gift of Himachal Pradesh to the rest of the country. It is the favorite tourist destination and is a hotspot throughout the year. Manali lets tourists undertake several adventure activities such as paragliding, skiing, and so on. Famous places to explore in Manali include Hadimba Temple, Solang Valley, Gulaba, Brighu Lake, Jogini waterfalls, and so on. One should definitely try the local street foods. The best time to visit Manali is between the months of October to June and if you are lucky, you might get to witness snowfall.

Bijli Mahadev Temple(Approx 43.2km from Kullu)

Perched at an elevation of 2460m above sea level, Bijli Mahadev is a popular Hindu shrine, located in Kullu. Surrounded by hills such as Parvati, Garsa, Bhuntar, and Kullu Hills, the Bijli Mahadev temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is famous for its 60 feet high flagpole in sparkling silver color and it is believed that whenever thunder strikes, the flagpole draws blessings, and every time, the Shiva Linga breaks (due to lightning), into many pieces which are then fixed by some priests, who use sattu and butter to fix the Shiva Linga. The temple is built in the Pahari style of architecture, with carved gateways and also a carved image of Nandi, this temple is a popular attraction in Kullu.

Manikaran(42km from Kullu)

Located 42km from Kullu, Manikaran is a famous pilgrimage spot, situated within the Parvati river of the Kullu Valley. It is mostly famous for its Gurudwara, hot water spring, and Ramchandra temple. The hot springs have a mythological story behind them. It is believed that once Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva planned to stay at Manikaran for a while, during which Goddess Parvati lost her precious gemstones and told Lord Shiva about them. Lord Shiva ordered his attendants to look for the stones but they eventually couldn’t find them and this made Lord Shiva furious and he opened his third eye. Sheshnag-the Serpent God was made to appease Lord Shiva. Thus, Sheshnag hissed and the water started to boil and eventually, the gemstones were found and this led to the hot springs.

Tirthan Valley(59.4km from Kullu)

Tirthan Valley, being an off-beat tourist destination is about 70km away from Kullu. Perched at an elevation of 1600m above sea level, Tirthan Valley offers beauty and tranquillity in abundance. If you are planning for an escape from the hustle-bustle of your chaotic city life, Tirthan Valley is the place for you. Lush greenery, stunning views, hidden waterfalls, and enchanting surroundings will leave you spellbound. As one walks around, one will find tiny hamlets. It is also a popular spot for trekking and camping. You can camp under the starlit sky and make the most of your trip.

Kheer Ganga(Approx 60km from Kullu)

Kheer Ganga, perched at an elevation of 3050 meters above sea level, is a small village located over Parvati hills in Kullu. The place gets its name Kheer Ganga because of the water that comes from River Parvati which is milky white in color. It is popularly known as a trekking destination. It is a famous Hindu shrine with hot springs and the temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Being a famous trekking spot, the Kheer Ganga trek begins from Barsheni Village. The Kheer Ganga trek offers splendid views of the valley and introduces you to a vibe that no other place can provide.

Great Himalayan National Park(62.6km from Kullu)

The Great Himalayan National Park is at a distance of 62.2km from Kullu and was declared Unesco World Heritage Site in 2014. Not only it is the most popular and major tourist attraction in Kullu but also in the country. Since there are no roads, one can only trek to explore the park. There are several species of flora and fauna in the park. There are several guest houses available inside the park for people willing to stay. Although one has to take prior permissions before entering the park.

Best Time To Visit Kullu

Summers In Kullu

Summers in Kullu begin from the month of March, lasting till June, and is the most suitable time to escape from the scorching heat of the cities and get lost in the Kullu Valley when the weather is absolutely pleasant. Summers in Kullu is the perfect time to undertake adventure activities. The maximum temperature of Kullu in summers rises to 43℃ and the minimum temperature drops to 12℃.

Monsoon In Kullu

July marks the onset of Monsoon in Kullu and lasts till the month of August, bringing heavy rain showers, due to which the area becomes a little risky as landslides can take place, leading to road blockages. The maximum temperature of Kullu in Monsoon rises up to 44℃ and the minimum temperature drops to 23℃.

Winters In Kullu

The month of September marks the beginning of winters in Kullu that lasts till the month of February. The winter season is an ideal time to visit Kullu is one can try adventure activities such as snow skating and rafting. If you wish to see snowfall then the months between November to January are ideal. The maximum temperature of Kullu in the Winters rises up to 36℃ and the minimum temperature drops to 3℃.

Thus, the best time to visit Kullu is between March to June. Know More

How To Reach Kullu

Kullu By Air

The nearest airport from Kullu is Bhuntar Airport, located at a distance of 13km. Regular flights are operational from major cities including Delhi and Chandigarh. Chandigarh airport is another airport that one can choose from. Outside the airport, one can find several, taxis and cabs that will help you reach your destination.

Kullu By Train

The nearest railway station of Kullu is Jogindernagar Railway Station(narrow gauge), which is about 125km from Kullu, however, Chandigarh railway station is a better choice. Kullu is connected with major cities of the country via Chandigarh, located at a distance of 270km from Kullu. Outside the railway station, one can find several taxis and cabs, which can be used to reach Kullu. Some common trains from Delhi to Chandigarh are Kalka Shatabdi, Sampark Kranti, etc.

Kullu By Road

The best way to reach Kullu is to hop on a state-owned bus by Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation which connects Kullu from major cities of the country such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Pathankot, and Shimla, located at a distance of 570km, 270km, 285km, and 270km, respectively.

Places To Stay In Kullu

Vivaan Resorts(8.7km from Kullu)

Vivaan Resorts, located at a distance of 8.7km from Kullu Airport, offers a comfortable stay for their tourists. The resort provides an in-house multi-cuisine restaurant, offering Indian, European, and Chinese cuisines and a bar as well, to their customers. With 24 hours desk service and well-trained staff, the resort also provides mesmerizing views of the mountains.

Silver Face(Approx 11.1km from Kullu)

Located close to the Bhuntar Aiport, Silver Face Hotel provides a number of facilities to their customers including, free wifi, ample parking space. One can enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast. The interior of the hotel is quite impressive and the view from the rooms is absolutely stunning.

Dimension 11:11(39.8km from Kullu)

If you are one of those people, who refuses to stick to basic accommodation, then Dimension 11:11 is the best type of accommodation for you, which not only offers an adventurous stay but also provides you with free wifi at every corner and you get to live in tents. It is a budget accommodation, which not only provides good service but also helps in arranging barbeque parties with your friends.

Places To Eat In Kullu

Maitre Point(1.8km from Kullu)

Considered as one of the best restaurants in Kullu, Maitre Point offers some mouth-watering dishes, at an affordable price. Although it is a budget restaurant it provides multiple cuisines, including Chinese, Lebanon, Italian, and Indian cuisines. The food, the staff, the ambiance, and the vibe of the restaurant draw a good number of tourists to Maitre Point.

Zaika Restaurant(170m from Kullu)

Zaika Restaurant in Kullu is surely going to change the Zaika(taste) of your mouth. It is a budget-friendly restaurant, offering delicious food that will leave you licking your fingers. Dining in the hills, with some flavor-rich food is an experience in itself.

Root(1.4km from Kullu)

Imagine fine dining with food worth drooling over, without hurting your wallets. Root restaurant is a multi-cuisine restaurant offering Italian, Continental, Indian, and Chinese cuisines that will not only fill your stomach but also your soul. The beautiful view outside the window makes the experience worthwhile.