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A Trip4India > Destinations India > Kullu & Manali Tourism

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Kullu & Manali Tourism

State : Himachal Pradesh
Area : Kullu Area - 6.68 sq.kms
Manali Area - 5.12 sq.kms
Temperature : 25°C - 12°C (Summers) 15°C - 03°C (Winters)
Altitude : Kullu - 1,219 metres
Manali - 1,926 metres
Language : Pahari (Local Dialect), Hindi, English
Best Season : April - Mid-July; September - November

Once known as Kulanthpitha, which means end of habitable world, by the banks of the shining river Beas lies the Silver Valley of Kullu. Here is the core of an intricate network of numerous valleys—each of which is a visual delight and is more beautiful than the other.

The town of Kullu has been a centre of faith since long. 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 presiding deity of the Kullu

valley. A not-to-missed celebration here is the Dussehra festival. Decorated palanquins and processions convey Gods and Goddesses from temples all over the valley to Kullu, to pay homage to the reigning deity, Raghunathji. A Fair happens during the festival which is celebrated with a great deal of singing, dancing and festivity.

For a more peaceful trek, head to Solang Nullah where you could walk along the road and then go on the rocks by the river all the way to where skiing and paragliding, and sometimes, heliskiing happens. As for drive downs, one of the most popular excursions is to the Rohtang Pass, the threshold of the cold desert. It is a lovely drive ascending through the thick of forests and offers great views, but the road could be blocked due to landslides or snow. There is a colorful Tibetan Monastery here, a recent addition and a good place to watch carpet weavers at work.

Manali, the most beautiful destination in Himachal Pradesh (Himalayas) is rightly known as Queen of hill stations. It is surrounded by lush green forests of deodar and snow capped mountains towering around it. Its major asset is its proximity to the snowline. Manali is the ultimate tourist destination for the trekking, mountaineering, rafting, skiing, helicopter skiing etc. Named after it’s sage savior, Manu, Manali is heaven for those who seek it - be it in the shape of an unnatural, dopey high or the innocent high of fresh, chilly mountain breeze.

HistoryKnown as Kulanthapitha (The end of the habitable world), the earliest inhabitants of Kullu date back to the 1st century. Jagatsukh was the first capital, which then moved to Naggar before the British shifted it once again to Kullu town. The great Pandavas of the Mahabharata are believed to have visited Kullu thrice.
The picturesque town of Manali is named after Manu, the ancient lawgiver. He is believed to have arrived at this beautiful hill station when he was fleeing from a great flood thousands of years ago.