Kullu - Indian tourism Himachal pradesh

KULLU DRESS

Due to cold climate through out the year warm clothes are worn. The men’s folk in the past used chola, dora, suthan, topa with folded blanket “lachhoo” over their shoulders, but now they generally use the common dress comprising of pants and shirt.
The women wear blanket (pattoo) over their dress. In fair and festival. “Phoolwala” (multicoloured with special design) blanket is worn. Dhatu or Thipu (a square piece of common or silken cloth) is the head dress. The woman of Outer Seraj use jacket in place of blanket.

KULLU ORNAMENTS

Both men and women folk used to wear ornaments in the past but now only the women generally wear ornaments. Both silver and gold ornaments are used. A long list of the ornaments can be produced that are worn by the women. Here only the popular and typical kullu ornaments are given:

Nose Ornaments Laung (A nose stud) Kumshi, Balu.
Head Ornaments Tunki, Tora, Tikka.
Ear Ornaments Khundi (small rings), Bali (rings),
Dhidu, Nabi.
Neek Ornaments Chanderhar, Jaumala, Champakali,
Damku Sikkamala (garland of coins)
Finger ornaments Guthi (ring), Mundri, Bichhwa.
Arm Ornaments Toka, Kangnu, Maritadi, Tore.
Ornament for Boomani (silver or gold needles with
Blanket chains)

KULLU DANCE
Kullu people are very fond of dances. They dance on all fairs, festivals and happy occasions. They dance in a circle in the accompaniment of band of musicians. They also sing while dancing. On special occasion, dancers wear special dress and their number is restricted from 12 to 16, but generally there is no limit to their number. Both woman and men take part in the dance. The most popular dance of kullu is ‘Nati’. There are many kinds of dances that differ in speed and steps. The names of some of the Naties are produced here:
Dhili Nati, Pheti nati, Dohri nati, Banthara, Luddi, Lamber, Pekha, Sangla, Lahalri, Hulki, Bakhali, Rujhanka, Lahuli, Chambyali, Kharyat etc.


ORCHESTRA

The orchestra for the Nati consists of seven to nine musical instruments. A pair of some of the instruments is preferred. Generally the following instruments are included in the orchestra:

1.The pipe (Shehnai)
2.The drums (Dhol, Nagara and Dhauns)
3.Trumpets (Karnal, Ranshringa)
4.Bhana (A bronze round disc struck with a stick)
The piper (hesi) leads the orchestra. All changes in the movements of the dance are initiated by him.


FOLK SONGS

Kullu folk songs have very simple but meaningful wording and appealing tunes. The subjects of the songs touch all aspects of life. Their Melody and tune make them popular with the common folk. They are a great source of entertainment and help in forgetting the hardship in life in this hilly area. In addition to the folk songs, “Laman and Bhourun” are also sung. These are sung away from the house, in fairs, fields and valleys. The subject of Laman is generally love or praise. In Bhourun the subjects are generally hope, frusturation, separation, reproach, sarcasm etc. They are sung in a high pitch and so they require open environment. Both of them contain a couplet. The first line of it has no meaning and helps in making the rhyme scheme. The second line gives the real message. These are sung by one man only.


ART AND CRAFT

Handicrafts play a very important role in the economy of Kullu. Shawls, mufflers, caps, conical baskets, poolas and jackets are some of the handicrafts which kullu offers. They are made by thousands of craftsmen spread all over the valley. Kullu shawls, mufflers and caps have won international fame.

KULLU SHAWLS

This is a cottage industry of kullu. About 30000 workers have been earning their living directly or indirectly from it. 300 co-operative industries have been engaged in this work. About Rs.25 crores have been invested in it. Kullu shawl is known for its quality, design and reasonable cost. These shawls are made out of the imported yarn in different colours and designs. Plain shawls are also made to keep the cost low.

KULLU PATTOO

Kullu pattoo is heavier and larger than a shawl. Kullu women wear pattoo over their clothes and pin both ends of it with needle (known as Boomani) below the shoulders, as such it is a part of their dress. Plain Chitru and Phoolwala pattoos are generally made. The cost of a pattoo increases with the superiority of design and colour scheme. The bed blankets are rough and heavier and are called as ‘Dohru’.

NAMDAS AND GUDMAS

Namdas are made by beating the wet wool. They are very durable and warm. No embroidery is done on kullu namdas. Gudmas are made of thick yarn of ‘Biyang wool’. After weaving, both sides of the gudmas are combed to make it soft and hairy. A coloured Dora is also stitched round its border. Himachal Khadi Manadal is the only agency that has been preparing these items of handicraft.


KULLU CAPS

It is the most popular head dress and a gift article. Due to its low cost, it is with in the means of evry person to buy a kullu cap. It resembles Kinnauri cap. Kullu cap has one colour strip of velvet only. The caps with different kinds of velvet strips are also available in the market.

MUFFLERS

Kullu muffler is in the fact a mini shawl. It has a shape and design of a shawl but its size is quite small. Kullu mufflers are cheap in cost, attractive in design and fine in quality. It is a very good gift article too.

BASKETS

Kullu baskets are generally of two types, round and conical. The round baskets are made for keeping fruits or articles where as conical baskets are used for carrying load. Small conical baskets are prepared and sold as decoration pieces too. Conical baskets are known as ‘Kiltas’ and are much in demand both by Lahul and Kullu folk. Some round baskets are designed artistically with a lid and a handle.

POOLAS: (Slippers of Hemp)

Poolas are the footwear prepared from hemp. These can be called hemp shoes. The poolas are prepared by the people of Seraj living on high altitude in their spare time. The upper portion is generally artistically designed with woolen coloured threads.

JACKETS

Kullu jackets have a woven strip stitched on all the edges in the format portion. It makes it attractive and distinctive in design. Kullu jackets have a wide range of varieties and cheapness in cost.

SPORTS

The sports persons can make a choice according to their taste and inclination.


MOUNTAINEERING

For the hardy and intrepid mountaineers, there are peaks of every variety, both easy and difficult ones to climb. At Aleo, on the right bank of the river, there is western Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. This institute imparts training in skiiung, trekking, hiking and mountaineering (both basic and advances courses). This institution also organizes winter sports competition. Many youths, trained by the institution earned a great name anf fame on the national and international level. For trainees, arrangements of boarding and lodging is made by the institution. The trekkers can also hire the needed gear or articles from the institution.

ANGLING

Trout fish is a great attraction for anglers that is found in river Beas and its tributaries Parvati, Sainj and Tirthan. Katrain and Manikaran are also good station for angling. Tirthan river is particularly rich in brown trout fish where natural breeding of the fish takes place. The license for angling can be obtained from warden of fisheries Kullu, Patlikuhal, Larji and Banjar or from the tourist office Kullu and Manali. The confluences of the rivulets are rich grounds for angling.

HUNTING

In the forests of Kullu, ibex, red bear, black bear, musk deer, snow deer and small games such as partridge, pheasant and hare are available. The hunters can go for it subject to conservation of rules and license. Application for shooting license should be addressed to divisional forest officers Kullu / Seraj according to locality in which shooting is desired.
TREKKING

Kullu valley provides easiest for trekking. Most adventures can trek into remote valley that is more rewarding. Most of the trekking routes pass through rugged and unspoiled beautiful valleys with awe inspiring glens, mossy meadows, deep forests inter woven by rushing streams and running brooks. If someone wants to be face to face with the nature and see the virgin and unspoiled beauty of Kullu, he must trek deep into the valley. Kullu – Manali valleys are close enough to real mountains to give comparatively easy access to them. Best season for trekking is April to mid June and mid September to mid October. Tourist Development Corporation of Himachal Pradesh in collaboration with Mountaineering Institute of Manali and some other agencies arrange trekking expeditions. Their charges include hiring of equipment, porters, transportations, meals and medical facilities. Approved high altitude guides and porters can also be hired through the Mountaineering Institute. For accomadation in rest houses enroute, the trekkers should apply to the Ex.-En. Of PWD or Divisional Forests Officer of the area as the case may be.


WHITE WATER RAFTING

White water sport is both thrilling and adventurous. Rafters can enjoy down stream journey of nine kilometers from Badah to jhiri. It takes them four hours to reach the destination. It is really an exciting experience for rafters to move on a fast running and dancing water currents. Rafting is available in summer only especially in months of May to July. Professionally run companies in the private sector provide the necessary gear. It is exhilarating experience. Persons physically unfit and below fourteen years are not allowed participation. Each participant is provided with a life jacket and a helmet. They are expected to wear specific dress. Each party is provided with an experienced guide and helper. Canoeing is also available for adventurers.



AEROSPORTS

Paragliding, hang gliding and heli-skiing are although in their initial stage, yet they are gaining popularity in kullu.


PARA-GLIDING

The high hills are natural launching sites for para gliding. Bhaikhali, Bijli Mahadev and Solang slopes are ideal locations for this sport. The best season for this sport is, May-June and September – October. It is very thrilling sport. It provides opportunity to see the world eagle eyes. The facility of seven days training course is also available at Manali. One can also spend a day in a joy ride.


BHAIKHALI LAUNCHING SITE

Bhaikhali can be approached easily by a vehicle, the distance of which from Kullu town is 9 k.m. The launching site is very near to the bus terminus. Its landing ground is vast Dhalpur maidan. The place commands the panoramic view of the kullu town.


MATHAN LAUNCHING SITE

At Mathan, there is a temple of Bijli Mahadev that can be approached by own vehicle via Naggar. Other route is upto Chansari on vehicle and there after three kilometers on foot. Its landing sites are both Dhalpur ground and Bhunter Airport. This place provides breath taking view of the valley.




HELI-SKIING

It is relatively new sport in India but it is picking up at Manali. Heli skiers are dropped on mountain peaks and ridges as high as 5500 metres by a helicopter. The peaks reduce the wind speed at lower level where one skis resulting consistent light and powdery snow. Powder snow skiing has become easier to learn with thick new kind of skis. The skiers move in a group of three with a guide. This assures safety and removes the pressure on less experienced or learners. This sport is possible in winter only where there is enough snow on the hills. Heli skiing packages are done by private companies.


SKIING

Solang slopes are considered one of the most suitable slopes for skiing. Skiing is possible in winter only where there is quite thick layer of snow on the slopes. The Mountaineering institution imparts training in skiing also. Training courses are also conducted by professional skiers. On Solang slopes skiing competitions are also organized at National and International level. Skiing can be done from middle of December to the end of June subject to the availability of snow on the places where skiing is proposed. Bhrigu peaks and slopes near hamta perhaps are the best slopes in the world for skiing. Winter skiing is done at Solang slopes, where as summer skiing is done at Rohtang slopes.