Bhuntar is a small and beautiful town in Kullu district of Himachal pradesh. I have been writing article on Himachal Pradesh from the past 5 years and lots of people ask me about Bhuntar and how to reach Bhuntar from Delhi, Chandigarh. So in this article I will explain you about this town and how one can reach Bhuntar town in Himalayas
Situated at the banks of river Beas this small town is known for the only airport facility in the region. So if you are planning to travel to Kullu Manali by air then Bhuntar is the place where you will land. Another significant thing which very few people know about this place is that it is considered sacred place for Hindus as the two most sacred rivers of Hindu culture meetup at this place. Bhuntar is Sangam point for river Parvati and river Beas.
Why Bhuntar is so famous?
Bhuntar in recent times has become a hub for backpackers and trekkers across India. Every year Lakhs of people travel to this place in order to visit Kasol, Tosh, Manikaran, Kheerganga and other secluded heaven in the Himalayas.
This town is also referred as the gateway to the most popular tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh that is Manali and Kasol. Yes you heard it right, whether you travel from Delhi, South India or Punjab you have to cross Bhuntar town in order to reach Kasol, Malana, Manali or Leh ladakh. So the geographical location of Bhuntar plays very important role when one plans a trip to Manali or Kasol.
Read: How to rent cheap bikes in Bhuntar for Kasol
How to reach Bhuntar?
Most of the people travel to Bhuntar either from Delhi or Chandigarh. So if you are following the same route then here are the few steps which you need to follow in order to reach Bhuntar town.
- You have to get a metro till Kashmere gate in Delhi. From there one can either rent a cab or can take an auto rikshaw in order to reach a place called Majnu ka teela, which is just 3-4 km from Kashmere gate.
- Majnu ka teela is the place where you will get your direct Volvo bus to Manali. You can take any bus traveling to Manali as every bus has a halt of 30 minutes in Bhuntar before reaching Manali.
- Buses from Delhi towards Manali start around 5 in the evening till 11 PM, depending upon, which time of the season you are traveling
- So if you are traveling from Chandigarh and want to reach Bhuntar then you can get the Volvo buses from sector 43, outside the bus stand. All the buses which leave from Delhi towards Bhuntar or Manali cross Chandigarh.
- But in case if you are traveling from Punjab then you can travel via Pathankot- Mandi- Bhuntar.
So if you are planning a trip to Manali, Kasol or Kullu and confused with how to reach Bhuntar then these are the most effective and budget friendly methods to reach Bhuntar town.
Things to do around Bhuntar
So here is the list of few things which you can do around Bhuntar town:
Dechen Choekor Monastery
The most famous and beautiful attraction in Bhuntar is the famous Dechen Choekor Monastery. This monastery is located in a small village named Sarabai, at a distance of 2km from Bhuntar town. So if you are planning a trip to Bhuntar then this monastery should always be on your wish list. Completed in 2010 this monastery is an excellent example of Tibetan architecture and is also referred to as one of the most beautiful monastery in the region.
Cafe Kasol 30
If you are in Bhuntar and haven’t been to this cafe then you have missed a great deal. Situated on the left bank of Bhuntar town this cafe is one the best cafe’s in the region. The tricolor nirvana paintings, Graffiti and the its location are something which will surely make your heart pound widely. The owner of the cafe Mr Anil has been running this cafe since a long time. And the way he understands the place nobody does. You can talk hours to this man, asking about his wild trekking experiences in the region.
The best part of this cafe is that its the only cafe in the region which is located on the banks of river Beas. Just imagine yourself having a meal along with gushing Beas river flowing by your side. So if you are planning a trip to Bhuntar then this cafe should always be on your wish list.
Bijli Mahadev
Another major attraction which most of the people miss on their trip to Kullu-Manali is Bijli Mahadev. Dedicated to lord Shiva this beautiful temple is located at a distance of 30km from Bhuntar town in Kullu district. Lush green landscapes surrounded by dense Deodar trees are common sight at this place. Small bike ride from Bhuntar of about 2 hours is all you need to reach this beautiful temple.
Prashar Lake
Prashar lake is located at a distance of 54km from Bhuntar town. This splendid place is known for its 2 jewels (lake and temple with the same name). It lies at an altitude of 2,730m from sea level. And is one of the most famous trekking destination in Himachal Pradesh. This place has got its name from the sage Prashar(father of Vedvyas). Who used to meditate here long ago and was constructed by Raja Ban Sen of Mandi. It was constructed during 13-14th century and is still remembered for his opulent work. The architectural type of this temple is Pagoda style with slate roof.
The flawless architecture of the wooden carving on the walls is an excellent example of some extraordinary craftsmanship and cannot be delineated in words. Next to the temple lies the Prashar Lake which is believed to have originated when Rishi Prashar used his rod (gurj) next to the temple. This blue water lake is also known for its moving island which changes its position every time you visit this place and is also a topic for science graduates. The trek to this place will take your breath away. Beauty of the temple, tranquilizing effects of the lake and the scenic beauty will become part of your eternal memories. So if you are planning a trip to Bhuntar and confused with what all places to visit then Prashar lake should always be on your wish list.
Read: How to plan budget trip to Kasol
Parvati Valley
The famous town of Kasol in Parvati valley is located at a distance of 35km from Bhuntar. This famous town of Kasol is also referred as the mini Israel of India. Every year hundred’s of people visit this place, just to witness the natures beauty at its best. Parvati valley is not only home to Kasol but is also home to villages like Tosh, Pulga, Kalga etc. In the recent times these villages have become so famous that every one wants to visit these secluded hamlets in the Himalayas. So if you are around Bhuntar then you should surely visit Parvati valley.
Note: There are number of traveling options for traveling around Bhuntar. You can choose cabs, Buses or bikes as per your preference. 8988265439 is a number of thakur bhai. My one of the most trusted sources in Bhuntar, who deals in bike rentals. So in case you are planning to rent a bike then this guy is surely the best option. You can even call him to take some suggestions in case you need one.
So this was a small article on how one can reach Bhuntar from Delhi Chandigarh or Punjab. And if you still have doubt regarding how to and when plan a trip. Then you can pen down it in comment section.