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Kullu Valley : |
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| The Kullu valley is famous for the beauty
of its majestic hills, covered with pine and deodar forests and sprawling
apple orchards. This is a broad open valley formed by the Beas river
between Mandi and Larji. The course of the Beas river presents a
succession of magnificent scenery, including cataracts, gorges, precipitous
cliffs and mountains, clad with forests of Deodar, towering above
trees of Pine on the lower rocky ridges. Hot water springs occur
in various places much resorted to as places of pilgrimages. The
valley changes its appearance and complexion with each change of
season. The Kullu valley has an abundance of wild flowers. Nested
in the heart of the Himalayas, this valley is 75 km. long and 2 to
4 km. wide. It eands near the famous Rohtang Pass. Beyond it, in
the midst of higher Himalayan ranges lie the valleys of Lahaul and
Spiti. The principal of the valley is Kullu which is situated at
a height of 1,200 meters. It has a delightful and healthy climate
and gets no snowfall. Kullu is a centre of considerable commercial
and social activities. Across the Beas river, lies the pretty town
of Naggar which is cooler than Kullu. The main attraction of the
Naggar are the Naggar castle, Boerich Art Gallery and some temples.
Manali at an altitude of almost 2,000 meters, situated at the head
of the Kullu valley is an important Himalayan resort and trade centre,
particularly in Manali are Hadimba Devi temple - built in 1553 AD.,
Vashisht and Rohtang Pass. In the Parvati valley lie the hot springs
of Manikaran. The springs are believed to have healing properties.
The people of Kullu are generally of the same type as those of Mandi
and Shimla hills. They have a naturally happy temprament, and their
hilarity and fun have a free play, especially during religious festivals
like Dushehra. The women folk come out with bright multicoloured
clothes and heavy jewellery on festival times. |
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Baspa or Sangla Valley : |
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| The Baspa, also known as Sangla valley
is the most beautiful and romantic in Kinnaur district. The altitude
of this valley varies from 1,830 meters at the confluence of the
Baspa river with the Satluj and 3,475 meters at the highest village
of Chitkul. The Baspa river flows in this valley for approximately
ninety five kms. The valley is richly cultivated. The valley is famous
for green pastures, flowers and fruit trees. At the head of the valley
lies the lofty Chung Shakhago Pass. Due to heavy snowfall, the upper
ranges of this valley remain snow covered and so hardly any vegetation
is grown. There are barren ranges covered with snow all the year
round. From Chitkul to Satluj lies the inhabited part of the valley.
The prominent vegetation found in the Baspa valley is Deodars, blue
pines, firs and silver birch in the upper zones. Baspa valley gets
fair amount of monsoon rains and so she has very good grassy land
and alpine pastures. It opens into Satluj valley down stream of Tshong-Tong
owing to the excellent climate and fertile landscape, the people
in this valley are quite rich and prosperous. The gushing rivers
of Kinnaur abound in Trout-the angler's prize catch, their waters
have over the centuries chiseled beautiful gorges across this picturesque
land and nurtured one of the most unique societies on their banks.
In the lush land live the descendants of the Kinners-the demi gods
of the Hindu pantheon, whose deeds have been immortalized in epics
and the poems of ancient Sanskrit poets. It is no wonder that a local
tradition maintains that Kinnaur with all its beauty fell from the
clouds as a gift from the gods. |
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Satluj Valley : |
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| It is a long valley has been formed by
the Satluj river from Shipki to Bilaspur. The river enters into Indian
teritory near Shipki. This river has cut across the Dhauladhar, Pir
Panjal, main Himalaya and Zanskar ranges. The towns Bilaspur, Rampur
and Bhaba are located along the Satluj river in this valley |
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Pabbar or Rohru Valley : |
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| The Pabbar or Rohru valley consists of
the area drained by the river Pabbar which originates from Chansal
peak - south of Kinnaur and its tributaries. The valley extends from
Hatkoti upto Tikri at the base of Chansal. There are a great number
of small Khads ( streams ) passing through this valley and making
the zig-zag shape of the valley at various points. The important
streams passing through this valley are Andhra Khad, Pejore and Shhikri
streams. The altitude of the peaks in this valley varies from 1,500
meters to 5,000 meters. The common trees grown in this valley are
blue pine at lower elevations, while spruce and silver-fair at the
higher. During summer, the Pabbar valley is quite hot. The people
of Pabbar valley are simple, hard working and contended, fond of
fairs and festivals, singing and dancing. Main crops grown in the
valley are maize, barley, wheat, pulses, rice, potatoes and millets.
Pabbar river is famous for trout fish, which was introduced in this
river by Mr. Glover, a British Chief Conservators of forests in 1938-39. |
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