™ 1Raghunath Temple
The temple of Lord Raghunath, the ruling deity of the valley, built in the 17th century near the old palace. It is the heart of the Kullu Dussehra celebrations.
Kullu travel guide
The “Valley of the Gods” on the Beas – Dussehra fair, river rafting and the gateway to Parvati and Tirthan
📍 Himachal Pradesh 9 places to visit 🏨 6 stays to book Updated 20 Oct 2026
Kullu is the main town of the Kullu valley at about 1,220 m on the banks of the Beas in Himachal Pradesh. Famous for its week-long Dussehra fair, Kullu shawls and apple orchards, it is the base for Bijli Mahadev, rafting on the Beas, Kasol and Manikaran in the Parvati valley, Naggar and the Tirthan valley.
History of Kullu
The Kullu valley – Kulantapitha, “the end of the habitable world”, in old texts – is called the Valley of the Gods for the hundreds of village deities (devtas) worshipped here. For centuries it was ruled by the Rajas of Kullu, who first held court at Jagatsukh and Naggar before moving the capital down to Sultanpur – today’s Kullu town – in the 17th century.
Raja Jagat Singh brought the idol of Lord Raghunath from Ayodhya in the mid-1600s and made him the ruling deity of the valley. That is the origin of the Kullu Dussehra: every year, from Vijayadashami, devtas from across the valley are carried to the Dhalpur maidan to pay homage to Raghunath for a week of processions, music and trade.
Kullu came under British rule in the 1840s and became part of Himachal Pradesh in 1966. Apples, handloom Kullu shawls and tourism now drive the valley, with the airport at Bhuntar just south of town.
Best time to visit Kullu
March–June and September–November are the best months for Kullu. Come in October for the week-long Kullu Dussehra, and in spring or early summer for rafting on the Beas.
Mar–Apr
Spring · Pleasant, about 10–25°C
Best
Apple and plum blossom in the orchards; rafting season begins.
May–Jun
Summer · Warm days, cool nights
Best
Best for rafting and the Parvati valley. Busy with traffic heading to Manali.
Jul–Aug
Monsoon · Heavy rain, landslide risk
Avoid
Rafting usually stops and the highway can close. Apple harvest begins.
Sep–Nov
Autumn + Dussehra · Clear, about 8–25°C
Best
Apple season, clear skies and the Kullu Dussehra fair at Dhalpur Maidan.
Dec–Feb
Winter · Cold, snow on the hills
Good
Quiet and cheap; snow at Bijli Mahadev and higher villages. Kullu town rarely gets snow.
How to reach Kullu
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Nearest airport
Kullu–Manali Airport, Bhuntar (KUU) – small, a few flights from Delhi and ChandigarhBhuntar about 10 km (20–30 minutes); Chandigarh International Airport about 240 km (6–7 hours)
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Nearest railway station
Joginder Nagar (narrow gauge, few trains); Kiratpur Sahib / Chandigarh (broad gauge)Chandigarh about 240 km and Kiratpur Sahib about 190 km (5–7 hours by road). Most visitors come by overnight Volvo bus.
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Bus stand
Kullu bus stand (Sarvari, in town) – HRTC and private buses to Manali, Mandi, Shimla, Chandigarh and Delhi; local buses to Bhuntar, Kasol/Manikaran, Naggar and Banjar. Overnight Volvo buses from Delhi (Kashmere Gate / Majnu ka Tila) stop at Kullu on the way to Manali.
| From | Distance by road | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Manali | About 40 km | 1.5 hours |
| Bhuntar | About 10 km | 20–30 minutes |
| Kasol | About 40 km | 1.5 hours |
| Mandi | About 70 km | 2 hours |
| Chandigarh | About 240 km | 6–7 hours |
| Shimla | About 220 km | 6–7 hours |
| Delhi | About 510 km | 12–13 hours |
Distances and times are approximate and change with traffic and weather.
Famous places to visit in Kullu
2Dhalpur Maidan (Kullu Dussehra)
The big open ground where hundreds of village devtas gather for the international Kullu Dussehra – processions, folk dances and a huge fair. The rest of the year it is the town’s main green.
3Bijli Mahadev Temple
A Shiva temple at about 2,460 m whose tall staff is said to draw lightning, which shatters the Shivalinga – the priests rejoin it with butter. Wide views over the Kullu and Parvati valleys.
4River rafting on the Beas
Rafting stretches of about 10–14 km on the Beas with grade II–III rapids, run by licensed operators. Wear the life jacket and helmet they give you.
5Kasol & Manikaran (Parvati valley)
Kasol’s riverside cafés and pine forests, and Manikaran’s hot springs with the gurdwara and Ram temple a few kilometres on – the classic Parvati valley day trip or start of treks to Kheerganga.
6Naggar Castle & Roerich Art Gallery
The old stone-and-wood castle of the Kullu rajas, now a heritage hotel and museum, and nearby the home and gallery of the Russian painter Nicholas Roerich.
7Great Himalayan National Park (Tirthan valley)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site with forests, alpine meadows and rare wildlife. Tirthan valley’s riverside villages make a quiet base for trout streams, Jalori Pass and Serolsar lake.
8Kullu shawl weavers & Bhuttico
Watch handloom shawls being woven and buy genuine Kullu shawls, caps and pattu from cooperatives such as Bhuttico or small village weavers.
9Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli
A hill temple above town with views over Kullu and the Beas – a good short hike in the morning.
Timings and entry fees change – please check locally before you go.
🎉 Kullu Dussehra at a glance
- When
- October – it starts on Vijayadashami and runs for about 7 days
- Where
- Dhalpur Maidan, Kullu town
- What happens
- Lord Raghunath’s rath yatra and a gathering of hundreds of village deities carried in palanquins
- Also
- Cultural nights, folk dance (Kullu Natti), a big fair and shawl stalls
- Stay
- Book early – rooms in town fill up weeks ahead
Unlike the rest of India, Kullu’s Dussehra begins on the day the festival ends elsewhere. Dates change every year – check the Himachal tourism calendar.
Kullu itinerary
2 days in Kullu
Day 1
- Raghunath temple and Dhalpur Maidan.
- Afternoon rafting on the Beas at Pirdi or Babeli (in season).
- Shop for Kullu shawls at Bhuttico.
Day 2
- Drive to Chansari and walk up to Bijli Mahadev for valley views.
- Evening: Naggar Castle and the Roerich Art Gallery.
3 days with the Parvati valley
Day 1
- Kullu town, rafting and shawl weavers.
Day 2
- Kasol and Manikaran gurdwara with its hot springs; short walk to Chalal.
Day 3
- Bijli Mahadev in the morning, Naggar in the afternoon – or head to the Tirthan valley.
Trip budget for Kullu
| Item | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (homestay / cottage) | About ₹1,500–3,500 / night | Higher during Dussehra and in May–June |
| Food | About ₹400–800 per person / day | Try trout and siddu |
| Rafting on the Beas | About ₹600–1,500 per person | Depends on the stretch; season about March–June |
| Taxi Bhuntar airport → Kullu | About ₹500–800 | About 10 km |
| Taxi day trip to Kasol & Manikaran | About ₹2,500–3,500 | Local buses run too |
| Overnight bus from Delhi | About ₹1,200–2,000 one way | Volvo buses to Kullu / Manali |
| Weekend for 2 (approx.) | ₹10,000–16,000 | 2 nights’ stay + food + rafting + a taxi day |
Costs are rough estimates for Oct 2026 and vary with season and festival dates.
Kullu vs Manali, Kasol and Tirthan Valley
Kullu or one of its famous neighbours? Here’s how they compare.
| Place | From Chandigarh | Vibe | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kullu | About 240 km, 6–7 h | Valley town, temples, orchards | Dussehra, rafting, a central base |
| Manali | About 300 km, 8–9 h | Busy mountain resort | Snow, Solang, Atal Tunnel |
| Kasol | About 270 km, 7–8 h | Riverside cafés, backpackers | Parvati valley, Kheerganga |
| Tirthan Valley | About 250 km, 7 h | Quiet river valley, trout | Great Himalayan National Park |
Where to stay in Kullu
Stay in or near Kullu town for Dussehra, the Raghunath temple and rafting. Riverside cottages along the Beas south of town are calm and good for families, while orchard homestays on the hills above give views and quiet. Kullu sits between Bhuntar airport, the Parvati valley and Manali, so it works well as a base.
The Higher Plane
Kullu · Hotel
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Himalayan Sukoon Villa
Kullu · Homestay
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Lavish Homestay
Kullu · Homestay
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from ₹2,500 ₹2,250
Rockstar Stay and Cafe
Kullu · Guest House
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from ₹2,500 ₹2,250
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Khushmita Boutique Homestay
Kullu · Homestay
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from ₹1,500 ₹1,350
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Advait Cottage
Kullu · Homestay
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from ₹1,500 ₹1,350
Plan your stay in Kullu
Find stays
6 homestay, hotel or cottages – book directly with the host.
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Good to know before you go
TrafficThe Kullu–Manali road is slow at weekends and in peak season – start early.
Rafting safetyUse registered operators with helmets and life jackets; rafting stops in the monsoon.
ShoppingBuy Kullu shawls and caps at Bhuttico or the weavers’ co-operatives for genuine handloom.
CashATMs in Kullu and Bhuntar; carry cash for Bijli Mahadev and village stays.
Village deitiesSome temples and villages have their own rules – follow local customs and ask before photographing rituals.
FAQs about Kullu
Is Kullu worth visiting or should I go straight to Manali?
Kullu is quieter than Manali and has its own sights – the Raghunath temple, Bijli Mahadev, rafting on the Beas and easy trips to Kasol, Manikaran and Naggar. It is a good base if you want more than snow points.
When is Kullu Dussehra?
It starts on Vijayadashami in October and runs for about a week at Dhalpur Maidan. Dates change each year with the Hindu calendar.
How far is Kullu from Manali?
About 40 km, or 1–1.5 hours by road along the Beas.
What is the nearest airport to Kullu?
Kullu–Manali airport at Bhuntar, about 10 km away. Flights are few and weather-dependent; Chandigarh airport is about 240 km away.
When can I go rafting in Kullu?
Usually from about March to June and again in autumn when the river allows. It stops during the monsoon.
How do I reach Bijli Mahadev?
Drive or take a taxi about 20–25 km to Chansari, then walk up about 3 km (1–1.5 hours) to the temple.
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