Kullu ValleyKullu is an ancient town of Himachal Pradesh which finds a mention in the religious texts such as Vishnu Purana Ramayana and Mahabharata as Kulantpitha. The town also served as the home of Rishi Shringi who performed the yajna for Raja Dashrath that led to the birth of Lord Rama and his brothers. In Mahabharata too it is mentioned that Pandavas visited the place thrice. Kulantpitha means the end of the habitable world which seems appropriate as beyond Kullu there are only the high Himalayas.

The hill station boasts of a number of splendid valleys and breathtaking views of the mountains making it a visual delight. It is said that in the 17th century Raja Jagat Singh brought an idol of Lord Raghunathji to Kullu from Ayodhya. He placed it on the throne as the King of Kullu and ruled the state only as His Prime Minister. The royal family of Kullu kept on following this tradition till Independence. Today Lord Raghunathji is revered as the presiding deity of the Kullu valley of India.

Isolated from the rest of the world by the high Himalayan ranges Kullu rulers had their original capital in the ancient village of Jagatsukh near Manali. Since the valley was an important stopover and trading point on the route to Lahaul and Ladakh it greatly prospered with time. By 17th century it had expanded to Lahaul-Spiti in the north and the Sutlej River in the east. The rulers then shifted their capital first to Naggar then to Sultanpur and finally Raja Jagat Singh chose Kullu as his capital.

After independence it became the district headquarters and is still an important trade center of the region. Situated at a distance of approximately 40 km from Manali Kullu is a popular stopover point for tourists visiting Manali and trekkers targeting the trek routes of the Parvati valley and the Pin valley. The beauty of the valley has led to it being called as the Valley of Gods. People here are warm and friendly and deodar and pine forests surrounding the area giving it a paradisiacal look. The natural beauty and scenic splendor of Kullu has contributed immensely to the growth of its travel and tourism industry.