Geography: 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. 
Climate: Pleasant in summer and cold below 0 C with heavy snow fall in winter. From December to February, this period is very chilly. Heavy frost occurs during this period. Snowfall generally occurs during December and January or an early snowfall may occure in November also. During this period, most of the parts of the Kullu remain under cover of snow. But the snow does not remain on the ground for a long time. The average rain fall is 80 cm. Max temperature is 38.8° C and minimum is 5.2° C in winter.

March to June for relaxation and sight seeing and to enjoy short and long excursions as well as climbing and river rafting. The ideal time to visit Kullu is from 2nd half of May and June. During July and August, it is rainy season. During this period the temperature falls occasionally. September to November, the period is very pleasant and very clear. The mornings and evenings are generally cold. An early snowfall may occur in November.

Kullu is divided in two by the Sarvari river. The maidan (parade ground) at Dhalpur (the setting for Kullu's festival) is on the south bank, where we can find a taxi stand and Raghunath temple on the north bank;.To cross the river it's quicker to take the footpath next to the hotel than the road.

The district is bounded on the north and east by Lahaul & Spiti district. On the south-east by Kinnaur district. On the south by Shimla district. On the south-west and west by Mandi district. And, on the north-west by Kangra district.

Chandigarh - Ropar - Kiratpur - Bilaspur - Mandi - Kullu 570 Km. Karnal - Shahabad - Pinjore - Swarghat - Bilaspur - Mandi - Kullu 560 Km. Darlaghat - Bhararighat - Brahmpukhar - Ghaghas - Sundernagar - Mandi - Kullu 260 Km. Tattapani - Aisindhi - Charkufri - Chindi - Chail Chowk - Baggi - Nerchowk - Mandi - Kullu 289 Km. Theog - Kingel - Luhri - Bainakhad - Ani - Khanag - Jalori Pass (3223 M) Shoja - Banjar - Larji - Aut - Kullu 267 Km. Brahmpukhar - Ghaghas - Sundernagar - Mandi 375 Km.

Kulu is well connected by road with Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh, Shimla, Dehradun, Pathankot, Dharamsala & Dalhousie etc. Regular direct buses ply between these stations including deluxe, semi-deluxe and air conditioned buses during tourist season.

Nearest convenient rail heads are Kiratpur and Chandigarh on Broad Gauge and Jogindernagar on Narrow Gauge from where Kullu can be reached by road.

Kullu is connected by Indian Airlines and Air Deccan with Delhi. The airport is at Bhuntar, 10kms. from Kullu.

Kullu Dussehra: Dussehra is celebrated in most parts of the country on Vijya Dashmi to commemorate the victory of Rama over demon king Ravana. The highlight of this fair is The victory of good over evil. 
Pipal Jatra/ Vasantotsava: The traditional name of Vasantotasava is Pipal Jatra or it is also called Rai-ri-Jach. It takes place at Dhalpur, Kullu on 16th Baisakh every year. The Raja of Kullu used to sit in front of the 'Kala Kendra' on a raised plateform of Pipal Tree alongwith his courtiers and the traditional dance was held in front of him. Once about 16 Kullu gods participated in this fair but by and by it lost its grandeur. 
Shamshi Virshu: This fair is held on 1st Baisakh (April 13) for one day in village Khokhan. The fair is religious and seasonal.
 Mela Bhuntar: The fair is held on 1st Ashad (June-July) for 3 days in village Bhunter. The fair is seasonal and religious. The fair was started by the Devta of the ilaqua Suraj Pal. Palaghmiar a Devta from mardo also attends. From this day the use of foodgrains from the newly harvested crops starts .The cooked food offerings are made to the gods and then the meal is shared by other relatives and friends. This is known as 'Tahoolikhana' in the local terminology. 
Sainj Fair: This fair is held in Raila on 21st of Baisakh (April-May) for one day.  iThe significance and legend of the fair is religious and recreational. Idol of Devta Laxminarayana  is brought from Raila to Sainj. Thereafter the fair starts with folk dances and songs rythemical with the beat of drums and trumpets.
 Luhri Lavi: This fair is held on Kartik 21 and 22 (October-November) for two days and one night in village Dingidhar at Luhri. The significance of the fair is religious and commercial. The fair is held in hounour of Devta Jogeshwar and  Khegro Maya. The Devtas are worshipped. Nati dances, mimcking and  folk dances are  performed at night ..
 Ani Fair: This fair is held on the 27th Vaisakh (April-May) for two days in village Franali at Ani .In the fair deities of the adjoining villages participate. Th main attractions of the fair are folk dances and other cultural programmes.
 Dalash Fair: This fair is held in the month of Bhadon for three days and nights in village Soidhar at Dalash. The fair is altoghether religious and is held in honour of Devta Jogeshwar Mahadev of Dalash and Bungli Nag. The devtas are worshipped and natti dances, cultural programmes and sports tournaments are  held.
 Ganter Fair: This fair held on Pon 3rd (Dec.-Jan) for one day. The fair is mainly religious and it is said that Rana and Thakurs the then rulers of Kullu velley were at logger heads and used to be constantly at war with one antoher. To commemorate the battle, a ram used to be sacrified. The practice of ram sacrifice is still in vogue. 
Ghatasani Fair: This fair is held on Chait 4ty (March-april) for two days in village Dawra. The legend connected with the fair is that,once mother Parvati asked Lord Shiva to forget Rama saying that even Rama could change. To prove this she went to Rama in the guise of Sita to deceive him. When Lord Rama saw her he could see through the game and addressed Parvati as mother and enquired as to why she has left his guru i.e. Lord Shiva. The fair starts with worship of Vishnu Bhagwan and the village Devi. Natti dances, folk songs and other cultural programmes are the main attractions of the fair.

Kullu Valley, also known as the "Valley of Gods", is well known for the seven day festival of Dussehra, a celebration of the mythical Lord Rama's victory over the evil king Ravana. The festival takes place in the months of October or November depending upon the Hindu calendar.

RAGHUNATHJI TEMPLE: 1 km. from Dhalpur, Raghunathji is the principal deity of the valley. 
VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE: At a distance of 4kms. from Dhalpur, a small cave enshrines an image of Goddess Vaishno Devi.
 BIJLI MAHADEV SHRINE (2460 m): 10kms. from Kulu across the Beas river, Bijli Mahadev temple is one of the striking temples in the temples strewn district. It can be reached by a tough but rewarding climb of 10 kms. trek. From the temple a panoramic view of Kulu & Paravati valleys can be seen. A 60 feet high staff of Bijli Mahadev temple glistens like a silver needle in the sun. in this temple of lightning it is said, that the tall staff attracts the divine blessings in the form of lightning. The rest of the story can be heard from the priest, which is un-believable but true. BAJAURA: 15kms. short of Kulu , Bajaura is on the main road where BASHESHWAR MAHADEV temple is situated about 200 m from the village in a plain between the main road and the Beas river. It is believed to have been built in the mid 8th century.
 MALANA: Little ahead of the beautiful Chanderkhani Pass lies the village Malana which is famous for the temple of Jamlu and its distinct, social and cultural life. Malana is considered to be the oldest democracy in the world. It would be worth while to visit this village to study the style and social system prevalent there.

Akhara bazaar The Akhara bazaar in Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, India is one of the most frequented tourist sites. This market has its own rustic charm. This is the main bazaar in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India. The shops at this lovely market sell traditional stuff such as traditional caps, shawls and rugs among other things. The Bijli Mahadev Temple is an important tourist site that you must visit during your historical tours to Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, India. This temple is popular for the 20-meter high rod that periodically attracts lightning that shatters the Shivalinga and scorches the building that the pundit puts together by using butter adhesive.

Kullu terrain is almost mountainous. To popularise the mountaineering and allied sports the Mountaineering Institute ,second of its kind in the country was established at Chadhiari near the hot springs of Vashist Village in September, 1961. The first training course conducted by the Institute was in Nov-Dev, 1961 and the Institute was known as Western Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (WHMI), with the coming up of its own complex in the year 1976. The Institute was shifted to present location, Aleo Bihal, Manali and since then it is know as the Department of Mountaineering and Allied Sports.

Almost every hotel in both cities has its own pubs or bars, so you won?t have a problem getting a drink here at pretty nominal rates. Pubs like the Zing-Zing are pretty decent with the variety of drinks they provide.

Sultanpur Palace: It contains some fine examples of the Kullu style of miniature painting, characterised by simple rural scenes and the lack of human subjects. Naggar: For 1400 years Naggar remained the capital of Kullu. Its 16th century stone and wood castle is now a hotel run by Himachal Tourism. Here, a gallery houses the paintings of the Russian artist, Nicholas Roerich. Naggar also has three other old shrines
. Jagatsukh: Jagatsukh is the most ancient Kullu capital, situated on the left bank, between Nagar and Manali. Around the Jagatsukh secondary school playground there are two ancient temples - the small shrine of Gaurishankar and the larger chalet-roofed temple to the goddess Sandhya Devi, the stone base of which is much more ancient than the 19th-century wooden verandah and roof.
 Bathad: A beautiful spot at a distance of 67-km can be approached by road from Kullu. It is recognized for adventurous games such as hunting, trout fishing and breathtakingly beautiful sites.

The Kullu valley which is also known as "Valley of Apples", might be more appropriately named the Valley of Shawls. So we can shop for Kullu shawls, caps, and other woollen clothes, and a good range of Tibetan souvenirs that includes thangkas (Buddhist paintings on cloth, see Arts & Crafts of HP for more), silver and turquoise jewellery, and music cassettes. Natural oils for massage and shampoos are available from a shop on the Mall that sells nothing else.

As it is a famous tourist place we can get all continental dishes like chinese, Tibetan momos or Japanese Sukiyaki(a dish consisting of thin slices of meat, bean curd, and vegetables cooked in soy sauce and sugar)and a great selection of authentic Punjabi and Gujarati food and also with western food such as hamburgers, pizzas and milkshakes.

MANIKARAN: Manikaran, 45kms. from Kulu and just 3kms. from Kasol, is famous for its hot springs. Thousands of people take a holy dip in hot waters here. The water is so hot that dal, rice & vegetables etc. can be cooked in it. It is also a well known pilgrimage place for both Hindus & Sikhs. Ramchandra and Shivaji temples besides a Gurudwara are there. According to an old legend, Manikaran is connected with Lord Shiva and his divine consort, Parvati, who lost her ear rings here, which gave birth to hot waters on the bank of Parvati river. Hearing this religious myth from the priests will be more rewarding and interesting. Ample accomodation in the temples and Gurudwara, is available for night stay besides the HPTDC hotel. 
KATRAIN: The central and the widest part of the valley, Katrain is 20kms. from Kulu on way to Manali. Apple orchards and trout hatchery lend charm and prominence to the place. It is also famous for bee keeping and Govt. trout farm at Patilkulh. Sufficient accommodation is availablein Hotels of HPTDC.
 CAMPING SIGHT RAISON: 16kms. away from Kulu, the sight is ideal for spending a quite holiday in solitary splendor and for holding youth camps. There are a large number of orchards in this part of the valley. HPTDC has log cabins for comfortable stay.
 ROHTANG PASS: Numerous mountain passes lead in and out of Kullu, but one the most popular with trekking parties is the Rohtang, about 3,978 mt. above sea level. It is the most convenient route from Manali and thourghout the whole distance provides a charming variety of scenery. The length of th pass is about 1 km. and has served as the route for many centruries for trade with Lahaul, Ladakh and to far away contries in Centeral Asia. The road from Manali to Keylong passes over this pass which is 51 kms and the rest of the Rohtang pass offers a wide spread panorama of mountain scenery. The Beas river rises near the crest of Rohtang springing into existance from a block of mica-schist. To the left of the pass five or six hundred feet higher is the little lake of 'Sar Kund' (also called Dashair). On 20th Bhadon (about the 4th September) each year, this small glacier lake is visited by numbers of people from Kullu and otehr adjoining districts with a belief that a bath in the cold water at day break on this particular day will cure all bodily ailments. In early summer and late autumn after about 11:00 AM or mid-day, the crest of the pass is occasionally subject to severe blizzards and snow storms, accompanied by a deadly cold breeze. Daily bus service is available at Manali for a trip to Rohtang-pass. The revervations for this trip may be done with assistance of Tourism Development Officer, at Manali.

Great Himalayan National Park: The Great Himalayan National Park lies in Seraj Forest Division (in Kullu District), in the upper catchment areas of the Jiwa, Sainj and Tirthan rivers. A park where the altitude varies from 1,500 mt to about 6,000 mt, encompassing within it snowcapped mountains, river valleys, and steep cliffs.

Seruvalsar Lake : At an altitude of 3100 metres in district Kullu 20 k.m. from Ani in the direction of the jalori pass. This lake has a picturesque setting amidst pine forest. Hotels and Rest houses  are at Kullu and Shoja.

Kullu is also known as the "Fruit Basket of North India" for its bounteous apple and plum production along with the supply of its fresh vegetables.

Whenever it rains, the weather becomes very cold as the snow range is very near in this valley, particularly in the months of March & April. During spring season, it also becomes very cold. So the visitors are advised to bring light woollen clothes with them. However, if you are wishing to visit Rohtang or high altitude then heavy woolens are required. The first snow occurs generally in November-December.Heavy clothes, blankets are necessary for visitors coming during December  At the time of water rifting  should be with a life jacket and a helmet. 

to February. . They are expected to wear a specific dress. An experienced guide and helper is also provided to the rafters.

Himachal Hotels 74, Industrial Area, Shoghi, Shimla - (HimachalPradesh) India Telephone: 91-177 2860601/ 2860630 / 2860602 email: booking@himachalhotels.in

Only bank facilities are provided there.

Angling: Trout fish is found in large quantity in river Beas and its tributaries Parvati, Sainj, Trithan, Manikaran and Katrain areas. So fishing in Kullu district is an anglers paradise and this sport is catching up day by day. Tirthan river is particularly rich in brown trout fish where natural breeding of the fish takes place. The license for angling can be obtained from Fisheries Office, Kullu, Patlikulh, Larji & Banjar or from Tourist Office, Kullu and Manali. The Department of Fisheries are also organising angling tournament every year in April and in Sept-October. Trekking: kullu valley provides easiest as well as adventurous trekking paths to trekking lovers. Most of the routes pass though rugged and unspoiled beautiful valleys with aws inspiring glens, mossy meadows, deep forests inter woven by rushing streams and running brooks. Kullu-Manali valleys are full of real mountains and give comparatively easy access to them. White Water Rafting: White water rafting is a thrilling as well as adventurous sports. In Kullu, Badah to Jhiri is a nine kilometer long down stream journey path. It takes rafters four hours to reach the destination. The water of river Beas is fast and water waves are dancing, giving the rafters an exciting experience.
 Skiing: Skiing is possible in winter season (mid Dec to end of Jan) only when there is a thick layer of snow on the hills. It this view, the Solang Nala is the best consideration for skiing. The Mountaineering Institute, Manali is imparting training in skiing along with its other activities and training courses. 
Para Gliding:This sport too is in its initial stage but gaining popularity in Kullu. It is very thrilling sport. The high hills are natural launching sites for para gliding. Bhaikhali (9 km from Kullu, easily approachable by vehicle), Bijli Mahadev and Slang slopes are ideal locations for para-gliding.

As it is a hill station and also many adventurous places are there to visit ,one should not make any attempt  without the help of the guide or other persons who are available at the places specially for the help of tourists.