Sultanpur Palace, Manali

Just 500 meters away from the bus stand of Kullu, Sultanpur Palace is a major tourist attraction here which is also at a walkable distance from Raghunathji Temple. The Palace holds huge historical importance. It used to be the residence of Kullu's former royalties. The majestic beauty of the surrounding intensifies the environment of the place.

Traveler Tips:

• The descendants of the former rulers of this place stay here. So, you need to get an entry permit for entering the premises of the Sultanpur Palace and the garden area.

• Wear comfy footwear as you need to walk a lot!

Things to Do:

• Revel in the artworks and their inner expressions which literally dominate the majesty of the interiors.

• Marvel at the sophisticated architecture of the palace.

• Enjoy the natural scenic beauty surrounding the palace.

• You can make special requests to the chefs of the palace to make some authentic and tasty food for you.

• You can do some shopping at the local bazaar to get some souvenirs for your home.

• If you are an adventure-mind, you can look for rafting and trekking options.

Availability of guides:

There is no guide facility available here. But booking your trip with a travel agency can help you. They will look after the permission matters too.

History:

The Sultanpur Palace, Manali was previously called the Rupi Palace. It is said that Raja Jagat Singh constructed the palace in 1660. But during a heavy earthquake that happened in 1905, the palace got demolished. The structure was rebuilt again with a similar style and design of the original palace near the ruins of the previous palace.

Architecture:

The palace is built using a simple architecture which is a combination of colonial and Pahari styles. The gigantic entry gates of the palace were built by massive wooden logs. The interior of the Sultanpur Palace is perfectly designed in a remarkable manner. It has some gorgeous well-preserved wall paintings of which there is a large number of exclusive miniature paintings that are worth to watch. The specialty of these paintings is there is no human element is present in them. Those include the scenic backgrounds of Kullu – Manali.

Best Time to Visit:

From the end of summer to the beginning of winter, the weather remains milder here. So the best time to reach here is between March and October. Winter here is freezing. You can experience snowfall this time. Roadblocks are a common incident every day.

How to Reach?

Kullu-Manali is well connected via roadways with North India. Himachal Pradesh tourism runs HRTC bus services which are the most cost-effective way to reach Kullu. The Sultanpur Palace, Manali is only half kilometer away from the bus stand of Kullu. The location is easily accessible through any local transport like buses, auto-rickshaws, cabs, etc.

Interesting Facts and Trivia About:

• The miniature paintings of the palace have hidden stories inside them. It puts stress on the significance of life when humans lived in the villages.

• The massive entrance gates of the palace include a sculpture of Lord Ganesha as a welcoming gesture for the tourists.

Nearby Attractions:

• Raghunathji Temple

• Bijli Mahadev Temple

• Kheer Ganga

• Bekhli Mata Temple

• Kullu Valley