About Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh, in its literal English translation, stands for the ‘Land of the Himalayas’, one of the most imposing mountain ranges of the world, and this state, provides an enchanting edge to the flat and monotonous Gangetic Plain in the north. There are some picturesque hill stations here, where people from the plains happily flock to escape the scorching heat of the summer months. While, in the winter months, the fascination of the pristine beauty of a snowfall, also draws tourists for the pleasure of seeing this aspect of nature, besides the attraction of winter sports. Of late, for those extra thrills, the rushing rivers of this region provide for some exciting white water rafting and camping. But, maybe you simply like to unwind after a practical business trip, or take a break from the tiring humdrum of a daily routine.
If you are looking out for all this, and are inclined to a holiday within north Indian, a perfect sojourn in the hills for you would be a trip to Kullu-Manali. With its picture pretty snow capped mountains, gushing streams and rushing rivers that tumble down from the melting glaciers of the higher mountains, placid lakes, verdant meadows, and wide valleys, with fruit laden orchards, you will discover some idyllic spots that are therapeutic for the mind, even while you enjoy activities to satisfy your sense of adventure.
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Kullu
You will first find yourself admiring the charming environs of Kullu valley, set within the grand arena of the mighty Himalayas. Kullu is a small and charming town set in this valley. It is a town of simple hill people with rosy cheeks that match the beauty of perfect apples that are grown in their orchards. The women wear colorful woven dresses and shawls, while the men are equally attired in multi hued jackets.
In India, the hills are especially associated with the gods, and Himachal Pradesh finds its first mention in the ancient Vedic age, at the beginning of Hindu civilisation. There is mention in the RigVeda of the ‘Dasyus’ and ‘Nishads’ living in this region and the Aryans, who were superior in war tactics, defeated the local tribes and settled here permanently. This region comprised of small independent republics that find a mention in the Mauryan Age and the Age of the Gupta kings. Several small kingdoms came to rule this hilly state and established their power in its different regions. They continuously fought with each other and the history of this region is replete with stories and legends related to these kingdoms.
Your first stop is Kullu town, located in a charming valley, with the backdrop of the mighty Himalayas. Against this historic background, it is not surprising to find a number of temples in this region. The main attraction is the Raghunath Temple, dedicated to Lord Ram, who is one of the principal deities of the Hindu religious pantheon and the patron deity of the entire Kullu valley. As legend goes, Raja Jagat Singh, the erstwhile ruler of Kullu, built this temple in 1660 to atone for his wrong doings. He especially went to Ayodhya, the birthplace of Ram, to obtain deity from there and establish it within this temple.
Three kilometers away, in the village of Bekhli, is the Jagannathi Devi Temple, located on a mountain top, which takes more than an hour to climb, but once you are there, you are truly transported into the world of the gods as you take in the ethereal splendor of the mountains and the valley around you.
Another temple, dedicated to the God of Lightening, The Bijli Mahadev Temple, is located at a height of 2460 m. True to its name, the temple is often struck by lightning as the clouds crash into the spur on which it stands. Other shrines worth visiting are the ‘Basheshwar Mahadev’ Temple at Bajura (15 km) from Kullu, where you will admire its exquisite carvings. the Vaishno Devi Temple (4 km) and the Vishnu Temple at Dayar (12 km).
Getting there
Manali is the main tourist destination of the Kullu Valley. It is situated at an altitude of 1,829 meters, and has air connections through. You could make a train-cum-road journey by taking a train to Chandigarh (310 km) or Ambala (355 km) and drive to Manali by car or luxury bus. If you choose to drive down from Delhi, then the entire distance covered is 585 km via Mandi, and if you do not wish to make the entire 12-14 hour journey in one day, you could take a leisurely overnight break at Chandigarh , or better still, enjoy linking up with another hill station, Shimla, which is 270 km from Manali, and an eight-hour drive from Delhi. These hill stations are located in the central Himalayas. You could also take the route from Pathankot,(326 km which is also close to a narrow guage railhead, Jogindernagar), Dalhousie (375 km), Palampur (201km) and Dharamsala (238km)
Suggested clothing
Heavy/light woolens in winter & summer. Kullu receives an annual rainfall of 1,780 mm.
Excursions
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