Kullu, Valley town in Himachal Pradesh, India
Kullu sits at an elevation of 1279 meters (4196 feet) on the banks of the Beas River, surrounded by pine forests and apple orchards in the mountains. The roads run through a flat valley that opens between steep slopes and provides access to several smaller settlements upstream.
The area served for centuries as a trade corridor between the highlands and the plains, making the town a hub for wool and spices. Later it became an administrative center under British rule and has remained the district headquarters until today.
The name comes from the Sanskrit word Kulant Peeth, meaning end of settlement, tied to an old story about Manu. This connection still shows in the many temples along the river banks, which draw pilgrims from across the region.
Bhuntar Airport lies about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) to the south and offers flights to larger cities in the north. National Highway 21 runs through town and connects it with Manali to the north and Mandi and Chandigarh farther south.
The Dussehra festival here lasts a full week and differs from the usual one-day celebration in other parts of India. During this time, processions with deity statues move through the streets and draw visitors from across the Himalayas.
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