Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh | Briefly explained | History | Tourism Places
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| Kullu District |
Geography
Geographical location –
Kullu is a district located in the central part of Himachal Pradesh. It lies between 31 ° 21 to 32 ° 25 ‘North latitude and 76 ° 55’ to 76 ° 500 East longitude. To the north and north-east of Kullu lie Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur in the east, Shimla in the south, Mandi in the west and south, and Kangra district in the north-west.
Springs –
Manikaran, Vashistha, Kheerganga, Kasol, and Kalath.
Rivers –
Sutlej and Vyas are the major rivers of Kullu. The Sutlej river forms the border of Kullu district with Shimla district. Parvati, Tirthan, Senj, Harla, Sarwari, Solang, Manalsu, Suzon, Fojal are the major tributaries of Vyas. The Parvati river is the largest tributary of Vyasa, which joins Vyasa near Bhuntar (Shamshi).
The Tirthan River joins Vyasa near Larji. The Sainj River also joins the Beas River near Larji. The Harla River joins Vyasa near Bhuntar. The Sarwari River joins the Beas River near Kullu.
Pass –
Rohtang Pass, Pin Parvati Pass, Jalori Darshan.
Lakes –
Sarwalasar Lake (situated above the Jalori Pass), Mantalai Lake (the source of the Parvati River), Bhrigu Lake (near Rohtang Pass), Dashahar Lake, Dayori Lake (Sainj Valley), Hansa Lake (Banjar).
Basic Details / Information –
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State
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Himachal Pradesh
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Established in
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1963
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District Headquarter
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Kullu
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Total Area
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5503 sq km
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Total Population (2011)
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(in 2011) -4,37,903
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Population Density (2011)
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(in 2011) -80
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Literacy rate
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79.40%
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Sex ratio
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(in 2011) -942
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Decadal- (2001-2011) Population Growth Rate
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14.76% (In 2001-2011)
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Tehsils / Sub-Tehsils
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Kullu, Bhuntar, Manali, Banjar, Anni, Nirmand, Sainj, Nither
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Vidhan Sabha Constituencies
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4
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Total Villages
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172(Manned Villages-172)
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Total Gram Panchayat
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204
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Development Blocks
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5 (Till 2014)
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Airport
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Bhuntar
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Lok Sabha constituency
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Mandi
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DC Kullu
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Dr. Richa Verma.
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Kullu District History
(A)Paal Dynasty
The source of the princely state of Kullu –
‘Kullut Desh’ is described in the mythological texts of Kullu. The description of ‘Kullut’ is found in Ramayana, Vishnu Purana, Kadambari, Mahabharata, Markadanya Purana, Vrehatasamhita, and the Rajatarangini of Kalhan. In the Vedic literature, the country of Kullut has been called the land of Gandharva. Kullu Valley has also been called Kulantpeeth, as it was considered the end of the habitable world. The lineage of the princely state of Kullu A.P.F. Harcourt’s book is given in ‘Kullu and Lahaul – Spiti.’
Description of Hieun Tsang –
Chinese traveler Hieun Tsang has visited the princely state of Kullu in 635 AD. He told that the circumference of Kullu Princely state is 800 km, which was located 187km far away from Jalandhar. According to him, about one thousand Buddhist monks used to study Mahayana in the princely state of Kullu. Ashoka built a Buddhist stupa at Kullu in memory of Lord Buddha’s visit to Kullu. The Salari stone article Kullu provides information about the Gupt ruler Chandragupta.
Mahabharata period –
Hidimba, the Kul Devi of the princely state of Kullu, married Bhima. Ghatotkacha was the son of Bhima and Hidimba, who participated in the Mahabharata war. Bhima killed Hidimb (Tandi), which was the brother of Hidimba demon Devi.
Seven Wazirs of Kullu State:
1. Parol Waziri (Kullu City).
2. Waziri Rupi (between Parvat and Sainj Khad) (Kanwar region).
3. Waziri Lag Maharaj (from Sarvari and Sultanpur to Bajaura).
4. Waziri Bhangal (Chhota Bangahal region).
5. Waziri Lahaul
6. Waziri Lag Sarai (between Fozal and Sarwari Khad).
7. Waziri Siraj (divides Siraj into Jalori Pass in two parts).
Establishment of Kullu princely state –
Vihangmanipal established Kullu princely state after coming from Haridwar (Mayapuri). The ancestors of Vihangmanipal settled in Allahabad (Payara) to Almora and then to Haridwar. Vihangmanipal, after defeating the local jagirdars, initially started living in the house of Jagatsukh’s Chapiram. With the blessings of Bhagwati Hidimba Devi, Vihangmanipal established Jagatsukh (Nasta), the first capital of the princely state. Vihangmanipal, son Pachapal, defeated the king of ‘Gazan’ and ‘Bewala.’ It is the second oldest princely state after Trigarta.
Vishudpal –
After defeating Samant Karamchand of Naggar in battle, Vishudpal (son of Rajendra pal) shifted the capital of Jagatsukh to Naggar.
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Economy
Agriculture and Animal Husbandry –
Foodgrains seed enrichment farm is located in the area of Kullu. Potato Development Center is located at Hamta and Kuna (Ani). The Vegetable Research Center is located at Cutrain. Capt. R.C.L. in 1870 AD Planted British variety of gardens in Bandrol Kullu. In Kullu’s mohal Angora Farm was established in 1964, A.D. Fish farms are located at Kullu’s Patlikuhl, Nagini, and Moheli. Kullu has tea gardens in Bajaura, Naggar, and Raison. Padha Bansilal undertook the planting of apple orchards locally. At Manali, A.T. Bannon Applied British variety of apples in 1884 AD. Duff planted in Cutrain and Dungri, Raonic in Bajaura, Minikin planted apple orchards in Naggar. G.C.L. Howell, who was the Deputy Commissioner in Kullu from 1907-14, in 1909 he introduced brown fish into the rivers of Kullu. For this, a farm was opened in thin Kuhl. Kullu has located 522 km from Delhi and 270 km from Chandigarh. In 1925, the Kullu Mandi road became bus able.
Industry and Minerals –
Institute of Rural Industrial Training, Girls Industrial Training Institute (I.T.I.) is located in Kullu. Shamshi’s I.T.I started in 1961-62 AD. Kyanite found in Parvati valley, Limestone found in Larji and Harla.
Hydroelectric Projects-
(i) Parvati Project (2051 M.W.) is the largest hydroelectric project in Himachal Pradesh.
(ii) Malana Project (86 M.W.)
(iii) Larji Project (126 MW)
Parvati Hydropower Project –
Located at the confluence of the Parvati, Sainj, and Gadhsa rivers. The project consists of 3 powerhouses located at Naqthap, Sainj, and Larji. On the Parvati project, five states entered into an agreement on October 20, 1992. These five states are – Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh.
Fairs and Temples
Kullu Dussehra –
Raghunath ji’s Rath Yatra is carried out on the day of Dussehra at Dhalpur Maidan in Kullu. Hidimba Mata leads to the King Raghunath Temple (Sultanpur) of Kullu. Kullu Dussehra is an international festival that lasts for seven days. Bhadoli fair is celebrated in memory of Lord Parashuram and Budhi Diwali in Nirmand. Dungri fair is held in memory of Goddess Hidimba.
Temple –
Hidimba Devi temple is located in Manali, which was built by Raja Bahadur Singh of Kullu in 1553 AD. It was manufactured in Pagoda style. The Kul Devi of the Kullu dynasty is believed to be Bhagwati Hidimba. Parashurama temple is located in Nirmand. Nirmand is called the small Kashi of Kullu. The temple of Mahishasuramardini and Vishweshwar Mahadev is situated in Bajaura