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, who in turn can be benign, angry and capricious. 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 secrets that the gods alone know and it is gorgeous when the breath-taking beauty of the Fall (Autumn) colours, gold, red and scarlet turn the valley into a veritable paradise. When the gods are benign, they bathe the valley with the kindly Sun gently giving energy and sustenance below; when they are angry they pour down torrents of rain which brings down whole mountain sides making access to the valley impossible & when they are capricious, they are dangerous - the rivers rise and carry away bridges, houses, sheep and even the men who propitiate them in every hemlet, every village and every town. The very approach fills the traveller 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 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. This is Kullu Valley; travellers have rhapsodied over the unique character of the journey up-the region, not more than a mile wide, in most parts, and 31 km [50 miles] in length. Literally the valley of hundred temples and a thousand derties, it offers peace, a mysterious, spiritual peace which pervades every nook, every corner, and a peace breathed into the mountains, trees, stars and streams by countless sages and `rishis' who came here to contemplate. Here came Rishi Vyas, the author of the Mahabharata giving the river Vipasha his name, here came Vashisht, the hot sulphur springs are sacred to his memory, and here came the omniscient Brighu to sojourn at the lovely lake, near Manali, and 4,267 metres (14,000 ft) above sea level. Finally, here, too, wandered the Pandvas in their years of exile and cultivated rice at Pandva-ka-Ropa, 3,658 metres (12,000 ft) above, from where the snow-covered ranges and glaciers reveal themselves in a magnificent panorama. Bhim, one of the Pandva brother, fell a victim to the charms of Hidamba, and had to engage in mortal combat with her maneating gaint brother, Hidamb. She overcame her filial love and with her help, Bhim killed the brother and married the sister. The Pandvas resided in Manali for a year and in due course, Hadimba presented Bhim with a son, the valiant Ghatotkatch, who died a hero's death in the battle of kurukshehtra. The women of the valley are famed for their beauty. The Kullu valley begins at Aut on the northern end of the gorge in the Dhaula Dhar, cut by the river Beas at Larji, above Mandi. This is the second portion of Kangra, and the Beas here flows amidst broad cultivated terraces, about 1,000 metres (3,281 ft) above sea level. Above Vashisht, the valley is glaciated snow-truncated spurs and is U-Shaped. There is rock cliff below Kothi, which has been cut into a narrow I-shaped gorge, hardly 10 metres (33 ft) wide and 30 metres (984 ft) deep. It is a major rock step. Further the valley is again an open U, here, the road 7 3 climbs in a zig-zag manner to the Rohtang Pass across the Pir Panjal, where the river Beas rises. Falling rapidly at first, it tumbles headlong at the Rahalla Falls. Crystal spray against sheer rock, it falls into the alpine valley. At the top of the pass the air seems to glitter against the snow as one looks down over herring-bonned ridges in the Lahaul Valley.

Akhara Bazaar 
Main bazar of the Kullu which is famous for kullu shawls, caps, pattoos, gudmas, puhlas and namdas

Naggar 
Nagger is 20KM from kullu on the opposite bank of the Beas accross the bridge at Patlikuhl at the altitude of 1768M (5800ft). Nestling on a wooded slope,it gives fabulous view of the valley. It remains capital of kullu for about 1400 years . The old castle at naggar is a beautiful building built of rough stone with a tiny temple in it centre.Now it serves as a castle hotel. A little art gallary displaying the work of famous russian painter Prof. Nicholas Roeich can be seen in Roerich museum of paintings.

Katrain 
It is 13 km from kullu situated at altitude of 1463 meters(4800ft) and in widest part of kullu valey and is populor for beekeeping and trout fishing. Trout hatchary is 2 km from here.

Kasol 

Situated on the banks of parvati river, kasol makes a good holiday destination. 42 Km away form Kullu charmingly located on an open space which slopes down to a braod expanse of clear white sand at the edge of the river. The place is also well known for trout fishing.

Raison 

It is 7km from kullu at bank of river beas situated at he height of 1433 mt (4700ft) is famous for camping site, youth camps and rally and starting point for many treaks in the area. It is full of orchads and lush green forests.


Manikaran 
At an altitude of 1,737 metres (5,700 ft) at a distance about 45 Km from Kullu via Bhuntar, Manikaran is a famous spot in the Parvati Valley for its hot water springs, trout fishing and Ramchandraji's Temple. It is motorable upto Manikaran, bridge and the rest 200 metres on foot. Thousands of pilgrims have their dip in the hot waters, it is believed to be radioactive and good for such diseases as rheumatism, gout, bronchitis, pneumonia and mascular pains. The water gushes with tremendous force is so hot, even rice, dall or vegetables can be boiled. The Manikaran hot springs have mythological origin - at Manikaran in the Parvati Valley where jagged peaks and glaciers stand sentinel on the dark blue gorge of the river. The valley closed in and the Parvati comes tumbling through the ravine in a series of beautiful falls. The people tell how the Goddess Parvati once bathed here in the river with her consort Mahadeva. She laid here ear-rings upon the bank and naga, the serpend god, stole them to his home beheath the earth. Manadeva was very angry and threatened naga. The naga snorted with rage, blowing the jewels out of his nostrils (where he had hidden them), with such force that they flow through the earth to Parvati again. And from the holes they made. The springs have bubbled ever since.

Pulga, Khirganga & Mantalai 
Almost level walk of two hours (Approx. 8 Km) along Parvati river Gattigarh where trekkers rest. A tea shop and forest rest House is located here. Around 4 km ahead on righ side of parvati river 
lies Pulga. It is just like Manali. The TOS mullahn which branches off from the main Parvati Valley is well worth exploration by those who favour the wilder aspects of natural scenery and prepare to camp out. Around 3 Km from Gattigarh lies Barshyani village on the left bank of Parvati river. After a trek of 4 Km nagthan village is reached. Now 3 km hill trek will lead to Rudranag, where a Committee Sarai will provide free food, accomodation, with blankets. Water is very cold an taken away a Gangajal, which does not get polluted even after years. It is said that all the gods of Kullu take bath at this place. Just past Rudranag is a very deep and beautiful water fall. Site itself is so refreshing and charming that no one would like to to miss it. Now cross the bridge (known as pandu bridge) and trek for about 15 minutes up hill from where dense jungle will start. Continuously trekking for about 4 to 5 km you reach Khirganga. Khirganga hot water fall is in beautiful natural setting. Its water contain medicinal property. One thing is to be noted in its water that it is unline Manikaran, Once taken bath will put greesy touches to the body, unline Manikaran, where you feel a touch of dryness. First water is collected in a pond from where it falls again, where you may use soap for bathing. Separate arrangements for gents and ladies has been made. Accomodation is available in a room, where Pattoo (blanket) etc. are available. It is advisable to carry, your own beddings.

By Air : Archana Airways and Jagson Airlines operates regular flights from Delhi to Kullu and Jagson Airlines operates direct flights from Ludhiana to Kullu. 

By Road : It is well connected by road from Chandigarh, Shimla, Pathankot, Mandi and Delhi. Regular buses, coaches and taxies play on these routes. 

By Train : The nearest rail head is Pathankot and Chandigarh.

Area: Kullu Valley is about 80 Km long and scarcely about 1.6 km wide
 
Altitude: 1219 metres
 
Climate Summer: Max. 33.8 C Min. 14 C
 
Winter: Max. 16 C Min. 2 C
 
Rainfall: 100 cm (40") - annually
 
Best Season: April to June and September to November
 
Clothing Required: Cotton and tropicals in Summer and heavy woollens in winter
 
STD Code: (01902)
 
Medical Assistance: Kullu Diagonostic & Medical Centre Dhalpur kullu. Ph. 23064,22303 (24 hrs)
 
Money Changers: State Bank of India, Dhalpur.