Ramjhi`s trip to Kullu - Himachal Pradesh - March 2009 - Part 1

KULLU According to ancient Hindu scriptures, the area was known as ‘Kulantapitha’ – the end of the habitable world. Nestling within the high Himalayan ranges, the Kullu valley remained isolated from the rest of the world till very recently. The Hindu rulers of Kullu initially ruled over an area restricted to the upper Beas River valley, with their capital in the ancient village of Jagatsukh near Manali. The valley was a gateway to Lahaul and Ladakh andan important stop on the crucial trade route between central Asia and the Gangetic Plains down south. This made the area prosperous and by the 17th century AD, the kingdom had expanded its boundaries to Lahaul-Spiti in the north and the Sutlej River in the east. The capital of the kingdom was first shifted to Naggar, then to Sultanpur before finally settling at Kullu. This valley is also a Major part of the Maha Bharatha. Idumbi -wife of Bhima & mother of Gadorthgajan is said to have lived here. There is a Temple for her in Manali 40 Kms from Kullu. She is called as Hadimba Matha. It is a 45 minute flight from Delhi. When you look out of the window when you are flying over the Himalayan range, you only see brown dry rocky terain for the first 40 minutes & suddenly the plane takes a swing around and you see the gorgeous Kullu Valley.

There are only three kinds of living here.

1. Strive on Tourist inflow - Hotels, Restaurants, Taxies, Hire of Snow Clothes, Skiing Gear, Shops etc.

2. They make KULLU SHAWLS with the fur from Angora Rabbits. They have Rabit Farms and they comb - out fur from them and make shawls and sell.

3. If one had some big money they would have invested in a large piece of land and plant Apple, Plums, Pears & Peach Trees and live on that income for the rest of their lives.