Enclosed by the last snow range of the Himalayas, the Dhaula Dhar, and Pir Panjal, running parallel to the south of it, is a valley that leaves the spectator awe-struck at the breath-taking grandeur of its mountains, its torrents and its vast expanses of snow in its upper regions. Fascinating, calm, placid and gorgeous, this is the Valley of the Gods.
It is fascinating when the gold of the morning sun flatter the snow-capped mountain tops, it is calm and placid when the gentle breezes move the wispy clouds over the blue vault, making the pines whisper.
The very approach fills the traveler with a sense of the majesty of God, as he proceeds along a narrow and winding road that runs along the Beas through a gorge, where the rocky walls tower menacingly, perpendicularly above over a thousand feet high, and the raging torrent is barely a few feet below. Blasted through solid rock the road runs for 40 km (25 miles) through the Mandi-Larji gorge till finally it opens out and every mile up the river reveals the changing beauty of the heavenly region.
Literally the valley of hundred temples and a thousand deities, it
offers peace, a mysterious, spiritual peace which pervades every nook, every corner.
: Places of Tourist Interest :
1.
Devi Jagabathi Temple: It is a beautiful picnic spot at an altitude of 5,000 ft and a distance of about 4.8 km from kullu. It can be covered through a bridle path.
2.
Akhara Bazar: Main Bazar of kullu. “kullu caps”, “shawls”, “pattoos”, “gudmas”, “puhlas”, and “namdas”, are sold here in plenty.
3.
Raghunathji Temple: This temple is dedicated to Raghunathji, who is the chief dirty of the valley.
Bijli Mahadev Temple
Situated at an altitude of 2,438metres [8,000 ft] and can be reached by a tough but rewarding climb through a 6 km long trek.
From the temple site, a panoramic view of kullu and Parvati valleys is available. A sixty feet high staff of Bijli Mahadev Temple glistens like a silver needle in the sun. This is visible even from kullu. In this Temple of Lightening, the tall staff attracts the divine blessing in the form of lightening, it is said. With every flash of the lightening, coming down the staff, the Shiva Ling is shattered into pieces. These are put together by the priest and covered with satto and butter. The image is restored to its original oneness till another similar flash repeats the miracle. The cycle goes on.
MANALI
North of kullu is a beautiful spot, in the midst of pinewood with high mountains towering. about it. Also known as the Queen of Hill Stations', Manali is at an altitude of 1, 829metres (6, 000 ft) and 40 km (25 miles) from kullu. A veritable showpiece of nature with its unspoilt scenic beauty Manali can be made the headquarters of mountain holiday with hikes, climbs and picnics punctuated with sun-bathing, fishing. There are many apple orchards and fruit gardens near the lovely town which are mainly planted by British. Winding paths through forests and glades is the setting for the
Dhoongri wooden temple which stands conceated in forest of magnificent deodars. Legend has been woven around this temple as indeed, it is inextricable from the life of these cheerful people who over the centuries, have propitiated powerful mountain gods.
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RAHALLA FALLS
About 4km away from Kothi and 16 km from Manali town,at the start of the climb to the Rohtang Pass,are the beautiful Rahalla water falls at an altitude of 2501 metres(8500 ft).It is approachable by bus,jeep or pony.
ROHTANG PASS
Situated about 51 km from Manali town at an altitude of 4,111 metres(13400 ft) on the highway to Keylong,is Rohtang Pass.Here one sees the majesty of the mountains at its height and splendour.At the top of the Pass the air seems to glitter against the snow as you look down over herringbond ridges into the Lahaul Valley.There is a beautiful Dasonar Lake left to the pass ,Rohtang pass is the gateway to Lahaul Valley. A few kilometers away from the pass is Sonapani glacier;Slightly to the left are the twin peaks of the Gaypan jagged-pyramid of rock,snow streaked and snow crowned.
BEAS KUND
The famous Beas Kund,the source of the Beas river,at the Rohtang Pass is easily accessible.
JAGATSUKH
It is one of the biggest villages in Kullu district.Jagatsukh is on the left bank of the Beas and the road from Naggar to Manali runs through the village.Jagatsukh is 12 km from Naggar and 6 km from Manali.The place is famous for very old temples,in the village,particularly the Shiva Temple in Shikhara style and nearby old and interesting Devi Sharvali temple.
TIBETAN MONASTERY
It is new and colourful.A pleasant place to visit.It is famous for carpet weaving.Visitors can buy carpets and other Tibetan handicrafts from here.
SHIMLA
Proud capital of a proud state.Covering an area of 18 sq km(7 sq miles) at an altitude of 2206 metres (7238 ft),with gurgling brooks,solemn forests of deodar and townering pine and green meadows of asphodel,hyacinth and celandine,Shimla retains still,the glories of its perennial splendour.The biggest hillstation of the world,at one time the base ridge of Shimla had the thickest forest of area,now the green slopes are covered with firs,pines,the Himalayan oak and carmine rhododendron trees,among which are dotted red-roofed chalets,half-timbered houses and Gothic Government buildings. The,vast,leveled ground at the ridge,the famous evening rendezvous spot-the Scandal point,where people still gather to air or hear the latest gossip, North of Chandigarh, approached from kalka, a broadgauge terminus, by a toy train, or hill railway, using diesel engines, Shimla is 96 km (60 miles) away. The train passes through 105 tunnels and beautiful rail-road stations built to look like Swiss chalets nestling in the hills. It is also connected by an all-weather metalled road which goes up for 90 km (56 miles) winding its way through a succession of hairpin bends till it reaches the Cart Road terminus. Half way through the journey, after Solan, the lights of Shimla glow in the distance, looking like glimmering jewels studding the dark green of the mountains. The train which takes six hours, twice as long as the car, is much more romantic; the holiday begins at kalka as the train chugs its way through hills, clothed with forests of chir pines; apricot and walnut and fields producing corn, paddy and the famous Shimla green peppers, or capsicum, while the crisp, clear fragrant air instantly revives dropping spirits crushed by the wilting heat. At every stop on the journey are smiling faces giving a warm welcome.Shimla has a surfeit of baolis' or springs, which were a major source of water supply to the town.The ‘chuddolibaoli is on the elegant Mall.Besides the springs there are the best walk-amidst the rushing woods and circuitous paths,at each turn,unfold a fabulous scenic view. Shimla changes its moods with the seasons, each bestowing its own charms.
The Shimla Mall
Shimla Mall has come up after years of careful and loving nature. The city's main shopping centre and promenade packed with clubs, theatres, restaurants and bars, it houses shops filled with the latest in fashion. After shopping on the Mall, the road usually leads down the crooked alleys of the Middle and Lower Bazar below the Mall where hill-men display their quaint carfts and other shops offer merchandise to suit every pocket, every taste.
The Institute of Advanced Studies
The Institute of Advanced Studies is housed appropriately in the magnificent Rashtrapati Niwas. Or the old Viceregal Lodge, near Summer Hill. Here in the vast room, spacious gardens and ringed by formidable pines.
Shimla State Museum
The Shimla State Museum was opened in 1974 and has growing collection of 2,000 object d'art. It contains a rich collection of paintings left with the family of Wazir Kartar Singh of Nurpur, kangra. Set amidst spacious lawns, the museum has art objects and antiques borrowed from the National Museum.
Jakhoo Hill
For lovers of solitude, a short climb, early in the morning to the summit of Jakhoo at a height of 2,438.4 metres (8,000 ft) and two kilometres (1.25 miles) east of the town, towering over Shimla, rewards the climber with the glorious spectacle view of Shimla spread-eagled below. Here, too is an old temple dedicated to the god hanuman.
Annandale
Developed as the playground of the capital, Annandale is as fardown as Jakhoo is up. At an altitude of 1, 864metres (6,117 ft) is 2.4 km (1.5 miles) from the Ridge, in the old days it was used for picnics, cricket and the Gymkhana races, besides riding to the hounds. It is still a favourite spot for cricket, picnics and the princely game of Polo.
The Green Forests
Four kilometers from the Ridge and beyond Annandale a Stream flows through the densely forested Glen at an altitude of 1, 830metres (6, 000 ft). Here beside the Bubbling stream of icy cold water, fresh from the melting snows, is a delightful, secluded picnic spot.
Summer Hill
Situated at a distance of 5 km (3 miles) from the Ridge is the lovely suburb Summer Hill, at an altitude of 1, 982 M (6, 500 ft) and on the Shimla-Kalka railway line. In these quiet surrounding with secluded shady walks, lived Mahatma Gandhi during his visits to Shimla.
HOW TO REACH: KULLU-MANALI-SHIMLA
BY ROAD:
Shimla is well connected by road from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab. It is linked by buses & coaches from Delhi & Chandigarh as well. Kulluis 250 kms, approx from Shimla and is well connected by road. Manali is just 40 kms. from Kullu. Tourists can hire cars & coaches from Shimla.
BY AIR:
Linked by Air from Chandigarh & Delhi.The Airport is at Bhuntar which is 10 kms from Kullu.
BY AIR:
Nearest railhead is in Shimla which is connected from a nearer gauge line from Kalka(96 kms) from Shimla.
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