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Blessed with some
of the most spectacular and beautiful landscapes anywhere, it is a travellers
paradise -lofty snow peaks, deep gorges, lush green valleys, fast flowing
rivers, enchanting mountain lakes, flower bedecked meadows, beautiful temples
and monasteries steeped in time. May it be for relaxing, sightseeing, trekking,
mountaineering, fishing, para-gliding, skiing, ice skating and golf, Himachal
has it all...Come Explore Himachal with Indo Expedition
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Kullu -
Manali Tourism
The
Kullu
valley has an ancient town in its lap called Manali.
Surrounded by towering peaks at an arm length, Manali's major asset is
its proximity to the snowline. It is a flourishing orchard industry, a
popular honeymoon destination and trailhead for numerous treks as well as
a great countryside ideal for adventure sport lovers.
Manali literally means the 'Home of Manu'. Manu is the mythological
character who is supposed to have survived when the world was drowned in
Flood. He then came to Manali and recreated human life. Thus, the area of
Manali is sacred and Hindus treat the temples over here as pilgrimage.
The
valley of gods, as the Kullu valley has come to be known, is perhaps the
most delightful region in the western Himalayas. The ancient Hindus
regarded it as the furthest limit of human habitation - Kulantapitha, and
its original name finds mention in the epics, the Ramayana and the
Mahabharata as well as Vishnu Purana.
Like a
slender delicate-hued fern glistening in the morning dew, the valley
spreads out its charm on either side of the upper reaches of the river
Beas. Running north to south, the main river valley is only 80 km long
and 2 km at its broadest, yet a fairly wide area is open to the visitors
to enjoy the spectacle of variegated mountain scenery.
In the
spring Kullu is at its most colourful with pink blossoms and white
flowers while the higher slopes are aglow with gorgeous rhododendrons.
With utumn, clear blue skies return and fields and forests alike show
wonderful tints of crimson and ochre. By December, there is no greenery
except the majestic pines and cedars in the forests. In winter the
hillsides are flanked in white.
Situated
on the banks of the Beas, Kullu, the headquarters of the district, serves
as a nerve centre of the valley and is the starting place for a number of
treks. The deodar-fringed grassy maidan, Dhalpur, is a stage for many
colourful fairs.
Places
to see in Manali
Kothi
12 km. A quiet but picturesque spot. The Rest House overlooks the narrow
valley and commands views of the mountains. Below Kothi, for more than a
kilometre the river Beas flows through a deep gorge, almost a
subterranean passage, 30 metres or more in depth, and the cliffs which
flank both sides of the canyon are a favourite haunt for rock pigeons.
The site of the bridge provides an interesting historical episode in the
early annals of Kullu.
Solang
Valley
13 km. A splendid valley between Manali and Kothi which offers views of
the glaciers and snow-capped mountain peaks. The plateau is frequently
used for holding camps by the trekking parties. Good skiing slopes of the
Mountaineering Institute. Venue of annual winter carnival from February
10-14. Bus service upto Palchan village (10 km) and then by jeep or on
foot.
Rahla
Falls
2 km from Kothi. Here the river Beas hurtles down from a height of about
50 metres. Charming spot for picnics.
Manali
Sanctuary
A bridle path from the Manali log huts goes past the Dhoongri Temple and
wanders into the dense deodar, kail, horse chestnut, walnut and maple
forest which is a part of this sanctuary. Camping overnight in tents at
Lambadug or Galiani Thatch is possible.
Lush green
alpine pastures and glaciers lie beyond Galiani Thatch. Musk deer, monal
and brown bear are often spotted. For those who venture still further
into the glacier zone in summer, there are herds of ibex.
Hadimba
Temple: Hadimba
or Dhungiri temple in Manali is one of the most important temples in the
region. This four-story wooden temple is located in the middle of a
forest called the Dhungiri Van Vihar.
Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa: This
Gompa dominates the Tibetan area around the bottom of the Mall in Manali.
The Tibetan refugees built the Gompa in the late 1960's. The Gompa is
covered with brightly coloured frescoes and a mid size Buddhist statute.
It also carries a list of the martyrs killed in occupation of Tibet of
1987 to 1989.
Old Manali: The
old Manali area is located some 3-km from the present day Manali. The old
Manali is covered with guesthouses, which look ancient now, and orchards
where the livestock move at will.
Temple
of Manu:
Slippery
stones paths lead through the old village houses up to the temple of
Manu. Manali is named after the sage Manu who meditated when he came in
this area.
Tibetan Temple: Tibetans
have a base in Manali too. There is a large modern Tibetan temple to the
South of the bus stand and also a small handicrafts center.
Arjun Gufa: On
the left bank of the Beas, 5-km from Manali near the village of Prini, is
the 'Arjun Gufa' or the cave of Arjuna. In here Arjuna practiced
austerities to get Pashupata Ashtra or weapon from Lord Indra.
Around
Manali
Rohtang
Pass
51 km. At an altitude of 4,112 metres on the highway to Keylong, the pass
affords a wide-spread panorama of mountain scenery. In place of the
pinnacled hills, sheltered valleys and cultivated tracts, the eye meets a
range of precipitous cliffs, huge glaciers and piled Moraine, and deep
ravines. Almost directly opposite is the well defined Sonepani glacier,
slightly to the left are the twin peaks of the Geypang, jagged pyramids
of rock, snow streaked and snow crowned.
The Beas
river rises near the crest of Rohtang from a block of Mica-Schist. The
pass normally opens for traffic after mid-June and officially closes in
November. To its left, 200 metres higher, is the little lake of Sarkund (Dashair)
visited by a number of people, the general belief being that a bath in
these waters effects a cure of all bodily ailments-real or imaginary. 10
km before Rohtang is the barren-landscape of Marhi which hums with
activity during summer and autumn months because almost everyone stops
here for refreshments.
Keylong
117 km. A fair sized village amidst green fields of barley and buckwheat,
Keylong is the headquarters of the Lahaul and Spiti district, surrounded
with brown hills and snowy heights. Karding Monastery overlooks Keylong
and is 3.5 km across the Chandra river while Shashur Monastery is about 1
km. HPTDC Tourist Bungalow.
Triloknath
and Udeypur
These are two important places of pilgrimage in Pattan Valley. At
Triloknath is a six armed image in white marble of Avalokiteshvara,
Bodhisattava. Visitors will enjoy crossing the Chandra-Bhaga river and
the trek of 3 km to reach the destination. The temple of Marikula at
Udeypur is highly remarkable for its wood carvings. Udeypur is 166 km
from Manali.
Places
to see in Kullu
Raghunathji
Temple
1 km. In the 17th century, Raja Jagat Singh installed here an idol of
Lord Raghunathji, which he brought from Ayodhya. As a mark of his penance
he placed the idol on his throne and it became the presidind deity of the
valley.
Vaishno
Devi
4 km. A small cave enshrine an image of goddess Vaishno.Other temples are
dedicated to Lord Shiva, Rama and Krishna.
Jagannathi
Temple
3 km. A stiff climb leads one to the shrine from where one gets a
panoramic view of Kullu town.
Bijli
Mahadev Temple
11 km. The Bijli Mahadev temple one of the most striking temple is set on
a spur, and is famous for its 60 ft high staff which periodically
attracts lightning that shatters the Shivalinga. Each time this happens,
it is pieced together by the temple priest.
The
Great Himalayan National Park
Located in the beautiful district of Kullu, the 620 sq. km. area has
temperate forests - some of the virgin coniferous forests of the state.
Vast areas of alpine pasture and glaciers cap this park. Among the
animals found in this part of the western Himalayas are musk deer, ghoral,
thar, bharal, sewor, brown bear, leopard and snow leopard. Bird life
includes a variety of colourful pheasants - monal, khalij, cheer and
tragopan. A trek through the park to Rekte-Sar, the origin of the Sainj
River and camping amid alpine pastures is a memorable experience.
Kanawar
Sanctuary
This sasnctuary located in the Parvati Valley of the Kullu District is
the habitat of the Himalayan thar. This big goat is often seen on high
mountainous precipices.
A splendid trek is possible along the Garahan Nalla from Kasol through
dense deodar and fir forests. The rest house at Kasol is convernient and
the Range Officer, Wildlife, Kasol, can offer information and assistance.
Around
Kullu
Kaishdhar
16 km. A delightful spot (2,300 metres) for a quiet holiday where one can
commune with nature. Many walks in the neighbourhood. Forest Rest House
provides accommodation.
Bajeshwar
Mahadev Temple (Bajaura)
15 km. The pyramidical temple (9th century AD) is embellished with
wonderful carvings in stone and sculptural decorations. The three large
image slabs on the exterior are all of a high order of sculpture in the
Indian classical (Shikara) style.
Kasol
42 km. Situated on the banks of Parvati river, Kasol in the Parvati
valley makes a good holiday destination. Charmingly located in an open
space which slopes down to a broad expanse of clear white sand at the
edge of the river. The place is known for trout fishing.
Manikaran
45 km. On the trekking route to Pulga and Pin Parvati pass, Manikaran is
famous for its hot springs. Thousands of people take a dip in its hot
waters. The water is so hot that dal (pulses), rice etc. can be boiled in
it. It is also a well known pilgrimage centre and there is an ancient
Hindu temple and a gurdwara here. According to a legend, Manikaran is
also associated with Lord Shiva and his divine consort, Parvati, who lost
and recovered her ear-ring here.
Larji
34 km. South of Kullu at an elevation of 957 metres, this is a small
hamlet providing excellent trout fishing. A Rest House is located in a
stunning position, at an angle between the foaming torrents of the rivers
Sainj and Tirthan, before they join the Beas a few hundred anglers.
Pulga
and Khirganga
16 km. A stiff march takes one to the restful solitude of the Forest Rest
House whose immediate environment affords a sylvan and peaceful retreat
for body and mind. The Tos nullah, which branches off from the main
Paravati valley is well worth exploration by those who favour the wilder
aspects of natural scenery and are prepared to camp out. 10 km from Pulga
lies Khirganga which is well-known for its hot springs.
Banjar
58 km. an excellent spot (1,534 metres) for trout fishing in Tirthan
river. the famous temple of Shringa Rishi is located here in whose honour
a fair is held every year in May.
Accommodation is available at a PWD Rest House.
Shoja
13 km from the Banjar PWD Rest House (2,650 metres) on the Kullu side of
the Jalori pass, it is located in a setting of marvellous scenic
surroundings.
Raison
16 km. On the way to Manali, it is an ideal site at an elevation 1,433
metres for spending a quiet holiday in solitary splendour and for holding
youth camps and rallies. On the gurgling banks of the Beas there are 14
wooden huts of HPTDC.
Katrain
20 km. The central and the widest part of the valley on the way to Manali
and at a height of 1,463 metres. Apple orchards, a Fruit Research Station
and a trout hatchery lend prominence to the place. HPTDC's Hotel Apple
Blossom and Tourist Cottage.
Naggar
28 km. On the left bank of the Beas and about three hundred metres above
the river, Naggar is delightfully situated on a wooded slope and commands
an extensive view, especially of the north west of the valley. It is an
excellent place for a longer stay. Naggar was the capital of the Kullu
Rajas for about 1,400 years. There are a large number of famous temples
in and around Naggar. Artist Nicholas Roerich's art gallery is also worth
a visit. Cars and jeeps can easily go up to the Naggar Castle which is
now Himachal Tourism's well furnished Hotel Castle.
Malana
28 km. up to Naggar by bus and then 20 km. on foot. A little ahead off
the beautiful Chandrakhani pass lies the tiny village of Malana, famous
for the temple of Jamlu and its distinct social and cultural life.
Reputed to be the oldest democracy in the world in existence where all
the inhabitants of the village take part in managing its affairs. An
exciting place for trekking.
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