Kullu

Kullu valley, often called the “Valley of the Gods,” has a history shaped by myth, Himalayan trade routes and small hill kingdoms. In ancient texts it appears as Kuluta / Kulut, mentioned in the Mahabharata and Puranas as a remote mountain land along the upper Beas. Over time, local chiefs formed the Kullu kingdom, with early capitals at places like Jagatsukh before shifting to present-day Kullu and later to Sultanpur. The rulers patronised temples and devta traditions, especially the cult of Raghunathji (Lord Ram), who became the chief deity of the valley and the centre of the famous Kullu Dussehra festival.

From the medieval period onward, Kullu’s position on routes to Lahaul, Spiti, Ladakh and Tibet made it important for trade in wool, salt and grain. The kingdom came under periods of influence from larger powers like the Mughals and later the Sikh empire of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, before passing to the British in the mid-19th century. Under British rule it became a sub-division of Kangra district, known for its cool climate and handwoven shawls. After Independence, Kullu became a separate district of Himachal Pradesh; road building, apple orchards and tourism to Manali, Rohtang and Parvati Valley transformed it into one of North India’s best-known mountain regions.