Kangra is one of the most picturesque valleys in India
Kangra is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. The city is very popular amongst tourists as well as devotees due to the number of temples that are located in the region, along with the sheer beauty of the area.
Attractions in Kangra
Bajreshwari Devi Temple: This temple is dedicated to Bajreshwari Devi. It was once famous for its wealth and as a result, it was attacked and plundered by famous Mehmood of Ghazni, who built a mosque there. However, it was restored and now is one of the most famous tourist attractions of Kangra. Once visited by Akbar, the temple makes you mind achieve ataraxis.
Masroor Rock Cut Temple: This temple complex consists of 15 temples that are cut from a single piece of rock. The temple is carved in Indo-Aryan style from both inside as well as outside. It depicts the celebration of enthronement of Lord Shiva. In its inner corridor, it has Ram, Lakshman, and Sita idols that are, again, carved, in black stone.
Kangra Fort: The fort was built by the Katoch Dynasty. It is one of the oldest forts in India, as well as the largest fort in the Himalayas. All this makes the fort a must-see for any history buff.
Maharaja Sansar Chand Museum: This museum adjoins the Kangra Fort and was built by the Royal family of Kangra. It educates tourists about the Katoch Dynasty, their lifestyle, and the Kangra fort. It also provides audio guides for the fort as well as the museum.
Kangra Valley Railway: It is a narrow gauge railway line that runs from Pathankot to Jogindernagar and passes through Kangra. The train offers beautiful views of the mountains and is quite popular among tourists.
Dharamsala: This city is located a few kilometers away from Kangra and is the home of the Dalai Lama. As a result, the city has a large Tibetan population and city gives you a thorough glimpse of Tibetan culture, through various attractions like the Tsuglagkhang Complex, Tibet Museum, Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, and Naam Art Gallery, apart from Museum of Kangra Art, which showcases the best of Kangra culture. .
Accommodation in Kangra
There are quite a few accommodation options available for visitors in Kangra. Hotel Maurya and Hotel The Grand Raj are a couple of nice hotels in the city. However, the nearby city of Dharamsala offers more accommodation options.
Kangra Location Map
Facts about Kangra
- Kangra was the capital of the princely state of Kangra and was known as Nagarkot.
- The whole region was struck by an earthquake in 1905 that left the city devastated.
- In The Mahabharata, the Kangra Kingdom is mentioned as the Trigarta Kingdom.
Where is Kangra ?
Kangra is situated in the Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh in India.
How to Reach
By Air
Gaggal Airport is about 12 km away from Kangra. Driving to the city from the airport will take approximately half an hour.
By Road
Kangra has its own railway station along the Kangra Valley Railway, which is a narrow gauge track. The nearest broad gauge track is the Pathankot Junction Railway Station, which is about 87 km away from the city. Driving to the city from the Pathankot Railway Junction will take about two hours.
By Road
All major cities in the region are connected to Kangra by road.
Best time to visit Kangra
Summer is the best time to visit the region as the temperature in the area is quite mild.
More about Kangra
- What are the main languages that are spoken in the region?
- Pahari (Kangri), Punjabi, and Hindi are the most commonly spoken languages in the region.
- What precautions should be taken when entering a place of worship?
- It is advisable to wear clothing that shows as little skin as possible. Shoes are taken off outside the entrance and sometimes, the head is to be covered by a cloth.
How is the climate in the region?
The climate in the region is generally quite mild and tourists are advised to carry light woolens as it does tend to get a bit cold at night. During winter, the area gets quite cold and tourists visiting city at this time are advised to wear heavy woolen clothing.
Image credits : ChanduBandi
