Places of interest in kulu and manali

PLACES OF INTEREST ON THE LEFT BANK JAGAT SUKH

Jagat such is 6 km. from Manali and 35 km. from Kullu on the left bank road. Its old name was Nast and it was the first capital of “Kullu Rajas.” The village is full of magnificent land scape. The paddy field terraces present an unforgetful scene. The hills with lush green forest add charm to the view.


GAURI SHANKAR TEMPLE

Gauri shankar temple is about 40 metres from the main road. It is a Pyramid type of temple built in 8th century. Inside, the idols of Parbati and Shankar have been installed. Here a fair is held in March/April for three days that is locally called as Chachohli fair.


SANDHYA DEVI TEMPLE

Originally the temple was in vallabhi style of architecture. It was rebuilt by Raja Urdhanpal (1418-1428) in 1428 AD according to one inscription. For the third time, it was rebuilt in 19th century. Now the temple is in pahari style having sloppy roof and square at the bottom. The entrance is the only part of its original temple that stands as witness of its great part and has sculpture. The wood work is also notable. Inside the temple, there is a 120 cm. stone idol of Sandhya.


ARJUN GUFA

Arjun Gufa is one kilometer from Shuru village and Shuru is five kilometers from Manali. It is believed that Arjuna meditated here to get pashupati Astra and he fought a battle against “kirat” who was none else but lord Shiva himself. Inside the cave, the idol of Krishna has been installed. In 1996 AD, a part of the cave has fallen and it requires repairs now. The vast Panorma all around from here is bewitching.



DASHAL TEMPLE OF GUARI SHANKAR

On the left bank road, Sarsai village is about 30 km. from Kullu and from Sarsai half a kilometer afar is Dashal village. Gauri Shankar temple of Dashal is very famous for its architecture. It is in pyramid style and was built in 14th century. It seems that Dashal got its name from Devshalla that is none else but the Guari Shankar temple only. It has been built on a raised platform. The outer walls bear some sex scenes like those temples of Khajrao, under the philosophy that one must leave sex aside to attain God. The scenery all around is marvelous. Inside the temple Shiv linga has been installed.


SARSAI

It is a beautiful village 30 km. from Kullu and 8 km. from Naggar. Here one can witness uncredible view of naked beauty of Kullu valley. Glorified nature is at its best here. There are green mountains on one side and terraced paddy fields on the other. A temple of Murli Dhar exists here in the middle of the village which was built in 16th century when Bairagis came to the valley. In the small village bazaar all the things of daily needs are available. At a small distance from here, there is a jhonger Heritage village Resort which is a nice place for food, fun and stay.



NAGGAR

Naggar is 22 km. from Kullu on the left bank road. As it is situated on a sloppy hill, it commands extensive view all around. Naggar had a glorious past. It had been the capital of Kullu for about 1460 years. The royal palaces, next to Thawa temple, which once adorned Naggar, are no more. It remained the District head quarter in the British time also before it was shifted to Kullu.



TRIPURA SUNDARI TEMPLE

It is in Pagoda style temple having three roofs. Raja Yashodhapal got the temple built, the design of which was made by the goddess herself in the shape of a web, after turning herself a spider, Every year a very popular fair, Sharhi Jatra is held here in honour of the deity in May. Inside the temple the stone idols of Ganesh, Vishnu, Brahma, Laxmi Narayan, Shiv Parvati have also been kept. A 30 cm idol of Tripura rakshisha of Astdhatu (alloy of eight metals) is also there.


GAURI SHANKAR TEMPLE

It has been built on a raised platform in a pyramidal style. It is square at the base and has a done above. The stones used are richly engraved. Inside the temple Gauri Shankar idol has been installed. In the frontal portion of the Garbh-Grih, the figures of Ganesh, flowers, a musician and a dancer have engraved on stones. It is a protected monument.


MURLIDHAR TEMPLE OF THAWA

Thawa is situated at a height and at a small distance from Naggar. The temple is in pyramid style, inside which beautiful idols of Radha-Krishna have been installed. It enjoyed royal patronage for a long time. Here Dussehra fair is also held for one day. The idols of Laxmi Narayan and Padam Sambhav have also been kept inside the temple.



ROERICH ART GALLERY

The art Gallery has been housed in the building where the great artist Nicholas Roerich lived. He bought this building in 1923 from Raja of Mandi. There are about 45 paintings, two of them show the view of Ghepan peaks in Lahaul. The painting showing the sun-set is a master piece of art. Idols of Shiva Parbati, Ganesh, Googa Pir, Vishnu, Durga etc. and some Collections of wood carving and masks have also been displayed here. Some stuffed skins of animals and birds have also been kept there. Mr.Roerich died here on 13th December, 1947. The Gallery remains Now the Roerich Trust looks after the management. A new building has been constructed for it now.


MUSEUM (Roerich)

This Museum is housed in another building located in the eatern side of the Gallery. One has to walk a few steps along the main road towards the north. On the right side, a cemented road leads to the museum, This building is at a height in an isolated place, locally known as “Bhoot-Bangla”. Inside, dummy models (huiman figures in clay) wearing peculiar dresses of various regions of Himachal Pradesh, masks, Dolls of different kinds, puppets, glazed pottery, (bowels, pans, and other contemporary Painters, musical instruments, jewellery etc.) can also be seen under the same roof. In a corner, there is a sale counter where the copies of Roerich Paintings of different sizes and literature concerning it are available. For admission to the museum the same gallery entry ticket is required. A special grant of Rs. One crore was given by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the prime Minister of India for building and development of Naggar Museum and Art Gallery.


NAGGAR CASTLE

This is the only surviving castle in Kullu District that gives the idea about the design, structure and material used in the forts of Kullu region. This castle was built by Raja Sidh Singh (1500 – 1546 AD). The stones used in the structure were brought from Garhdhek, a fortified palace of Rana Bhosal below the village Baragran on the right side of river Beas. A long chain of labourers was made from Baragran to Naggar and they passed stones from hand to hand. This castle has three storeys. There are 64 rooms in it and 18 rooms were for the Ranis. The kitchen here was 15 feet long. Some changes were made in the structure during the British period. Slate roof has been replaced by iron sheets. Some windows and stair cases were added according to the need. These days, a hotel is run in the building by the tourist Deptt. In one gallery there is museum of Himachal Pradesh antiques, idols, masks, instruments and articles of handicrafts.


JAGATI PATT

Jagati Patt is a slab of size 5’x8’x6” kept in a small temple in the campus of castle. There is a legend that the gods decided to make Naggar the celestial seat. They transferred themselves into bees endowed with Herculean power. They cut a slab from Deotiba (the highest peak in Kullu District). Others believe that this slab has been brought from Drag Dhank of Bhrigu Tung (Rohtang) peak in Kullu valley and brought it to the present site. In the hour of calamity, the gods of Kullu assemble here for the welfare of the people. Here the prophecies are made. People take oath here to prove themselves innocent or absolve themselves from charges of crime or sins.


VISHNU TEMPLES

There are two Vishnu Temples at Naggar. One temple is on the right side of the road, on the second turn, on way to the village. It is a very small pyramid type of temple of great archeological importance. The “Nag-herh” festival starts from here. After climbing some steps from the road side, one finds himself in the temple premises.

The other Vishnu Temple is near the castle on the eastern side. If one moves a few steps down from the main road towards the village, another pyramid type temple with a small slate roof on it is seen on the right side. There is no “Mandap” infront of it. There is an idol of Vishnu about 4 ft. high of “Asht Dhatu” (Eight Metals). The idol is standing on the pedestal (Kamalasan) and has Chaturbhuj figure. The pedestal is itself of stone square in shape and about a foot high. Petals of Kamal have been carved round it.


NISHALA

Nishala is about 4 km. from Naggar on way to Bijli Mahadev. This place affords a marvelous view and is very favourite with the film makers. Here many scenes of the films have been shot. In the village there is a Chamunda Bhagwati Temple of Khash style, square at the bottom with a sloppy roof. Inside there is an idol of the goddess in black stone.


BUDDHIST MONASTRY : KAIS

It is 10 k.m far from Kullu situated in the lush green surroundings on the left bank. It is known as Dhakpo Shedroop-ling Monastry associated with Lamrin Monastry. It has been built on a terraced vast piece of land and gives a very magestic look. All around, there are different buildings with grassy open space in the middle. There is a receptacle and congregation hall, where many statues of Lamas and others have been displayed. Many volumes of Buddhist Literature are also available here. The monastry has been consecrated and dedicated by His Holiness Dalai Lama on May 11, 2005.