Kullu-Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India

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Kullu

Kullu-Manali

Kullu is the local administrative centre and makes a pleasant change from the hippie holiday resorts elsewhere in the valley. Most of the year the town goes quietly about its business, but every October some 30,000 devotees descend on it for one of the largest and loudest Dussehra festivals in India. Over 200 idols are paraded into town from surrounding temples, led by a huge rath (chariot) holding the statue of Lord Raghunath from the Raghunath Temple in Sultanpur. Simultaneously, a week0long carnival and market is held on the parade ground, with entertainment such as acrobats, musicians and a motorcycle Wall of Death.

Kullu is divided in two by the Sarvari River. The southern part of the town has taxi stand, tourist office and most restaurants and hotels. The bus station and Raghunath Temple are north of the river – take a short cut down through the bazaar below the Hotel Shobla International.

About Kullu
Geography
Kullu has an average elevation of 1,362 metres (4,469 feet). The town of Kullu lies on the bank of River Beas. A major tributary Sar-vari, (derived from “Shiv -Baardi”) leads to the less explored and steeper Lug-valley on the west. On the east of Kullu lies a broad mountainous ridge having the village-temples of Bijli Mahadev, Mount Nag and Pueed. Beyond the ridge lies Manikaran valley, along the Parvati river which joins Beas in Bhuntar. On the South of Kullu lie towns of Bhuntar, Out(leading to Anni, Banjar and Siraj Valley) and Mandi(a separate district). Historically Kullu was accessible from Shimla via Siraj valley or through passes on the west leading to Jogindernagar and onto Kangra. To the north lies the famous town of Manali, which through the Rohtang pass leads onto the Lahaul and Spiti Valley. Once can see an enormous change in the climate as one climbs up the windward side of the ranges to proceed to the leeward and much drier plateaus to the north of Manali.

Manali
The surrounding mountain scenery lures tourists to Manali year-round. Domestic tourists come here for honeymoons and mountain views, while foreigners come for adventure sports or, more commonly, to hang out in the hippie villages around the main town. Until the 1960s there was nothing here but a few old stone houses and temples, but modern Manali is crammed with concrete hotels and the town is in severe need of some town planning – stay in the villages of Vashisht or Old Manali for a more peaceful mood.
This is also the main jumping-off point for Ladakh, Spiti and Lahaul, with daily buses to Leh, Keylong and Kaza from approximately June to October. Many tourists are also lured here by the famous Manalicharas but be warned – local police are more than happy to arrest people for possession or sting them for bribes. According to legend, Manu, the Hindu equivalent of Noah, alighted his boat here to re-create human life after floods destroyed the world. Indeed, from April to June and September to late October it can feel as if all of humanity has returned to Manali. There’s another surge in visitors for Christmas and New Year. Prices for rooms can more than triple at these times. Old Manali and Vashisht close for winter from around October to May.

About Manali
Orientation
Manali is based around one street, the Mall, a continuation of the highway that runs into town. The bus and taxi stands are on the Mall and most hotels and restaurants are on the alleys branching west. Two roads run north from Manali along the Beas River – one to Old Manali on the west bank and one to Vashisht and the Rohtang La on the east bank.

For more information on the following topics, please see our Kullu-Manali travel guide below:
- Getting there
- Getting around
- Sights & Sounds
- Restaurants
- Accommodation
- Shopping
- Activities
- Useful Information

Kullu-Manali, Himachal Pradesh A complete guide to the two beautiful tourist resorts on the foothills of the Himalayas – Kullu and Manali. Price: $6.99