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Home » Explore Himachal» Kangra
Kangra
District
| Headquarter
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Dharamsala 1380 m |
| Climate |
Mild Summer, Cold Winters |
| Area |
5,739
Sq. Km |
| Population |
11,74,072 persons |
| Density |
205 Persons per sq. Km |
General
Information: Kangra
anciently known as Trigarta is probably the oldest princely state of Himachal
founded by Susharma during Mahabharta period.Out of this biggest district
Kangra erstwhile Punjab state, of Kullu and Lahaul and Spiti were carved
out long before its merger with Himachal Pradesh. Following the reorganisation
of states on 1st November 1966 it was further trifurcated on 1st September
1972 when Una and Hamirpur districts were further created out of it.
During the British regime Dharamsala was made the district headquarter.
Access:
Air Gaggal
Airport 15 Km
Road Delhi 514 km, Chandigarh 235 km, Shimla 252 km, Kangra
18 km, Manali 270 km, Pathankot 90 km, Jwalamukhi 56 km, Chintpurni 84
km, C 15 km, Chamunda 15 km, Palampur 35 Km
Rail: 18 km Kangra (Narrow gauge), 90 km Pathankot (Broad
gauge).
Accommodation: Himachal Tourism run Hotel Dhauladhar Yatri Niwas.
A number of Govt. Rest houses and many hotels and guest houses.
Places
of Interest:
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 Mc-Leodganj:
1770 m. This place has a totally transformed atmosphere. Establishment
of the Tibetan Government in Exile and the official residence of
His Holiness, The Dalai Lama in 1959 has resulted in large number
of Tibetans settling here. This place now popularly known as 'The
Little Lhasa' hums with great activity throughout the year. In addition
to an impressive monastery the area now boasts of having a Medical
Research Centre. Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, Library,
Handicraft, Centers, Hospital, Cosy eating places serving Chinese,
Tibetan Continental dishes and a number of posh Hotels.
Kareri
1,982 m. Kereri village surrounded by thick forests is situated
at a distance of 11 km from Dal Lake. The route passes through Naddi
1,820 m. and Talnu 1,830 m. villages. There is a forest Rest House.
A rough and tough lonely trek through thick forests from here leads
to Kareri Lake. Green pastures and a camping ground surround the
lake.
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 DHARAMSALA:
Dharamsala literally means 'holy refuge'
Nestling in the lap of majestic Dhauladhars this headquarter of Kangra
district was established by the Britishers in the year 1852. This
picturesque town located on a spur with spectacular view is divided
into two parts-Lower Dharamsala 1,380 m. and upper Dharamsala
2,000 m. Himachal Pradesh Government offices, Judicial complex, Shopping
Centres hotels are housed in the lower Dharamsala. A good drive from
the main Kotwali Bazar takes the tourists to Mc-Leodgang - the seat
of His Holiness, The Dalai Lama- 'St. John's Church in the wilderness
enroute. A number of romantic bridle paths connecting the two townships
are trekkers' dream come true. There is a marked difference in the
climatic conditions of these two places. Lower Dharamsala, thickly
populated is not as cold as the upper Dharamsala. |
 Kangra
Art Museum: 1,380 m. Artifacts dating back to 5th century are
kept here. In the art gallery there are numerous priceless famous
miniature paintings. Collection of scriptures, pottery and other
articles of art and craft are also displayed. |
Dal
Lake: 1,775
m. - 11 km - motorable) A 2km long link road branching off from near
Forsthganj on main Dharamsala -Mc-Leodganj highway takes you to Dal
Lake. Towering fir trees surrounds the area. A dip in the lake by
the hill men is considered sacred during the fair held in September.
Monsoon rains bring full glory to the lake. A small nag temple and
an old Shiva temple located in one corner attracts large number of
devotees. |
| War
Memorial : 1,200 m. This War Memorial dedicated to the post independence
martyrs of district Kangra who scarified their lives while defending
their motherland in Indo-China war (1962) or Indo-Pak war (1965) is
located at the lower end of Civil Lines, opposite the Sainik Rest
House on the main road. Pleasant grassy walks here with tall pine
trees around have a balming effect. |
Dharamkot
: 2,100 m. Covering a distance of 2 km jeedable road from Mc-Leodganj
one reaches Dharant quiet scenic picnic spot in the woods. Further
ahead ai same trek 6 km (non jeepable) a wooden structure hm Forest
Rest House, Triund greets the tired traven commanding view of Dhauladhar
on North and East a open view of distant Kangra Valley is a rich feast
fa eyes. Dev cottages in this serene village, offer accommodation.
The area is also rich in plant fossils limestone deposits |
Kunal
Pathri Temple: 1,285 m. A pleasant level drive of about 2 km
from the main shopping centre Kotwali Bazar through pine forests and
tea garden leads to the temple dedicated to a local deity. Adjoining
this temple is a Shiva Cave Temple.
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Triund 2,973
m. This scenic spot with a Forest Rest House at a distance
of 8 km from Mc-Leodganj on a road that is jeep able up to Dharamkot
2 Km. The last stretch of 6 km has to be climbed up. The place
with a commanding view is ideal for camping and starting point for
adventurous trekking.
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Bhagsu
Nath (Bhagsu Nag) - 1,720
m. 2 km distance motorable road links Mc-Leodganj to Bhagsu Nath.
A cold-water spring gushing down from the hills feeds a one metre
deep rectangular bathing tank which is sacred to local hillmen and
gaddis. The entire campus has two small temples, Nag Temple and
an ancient Shiv Temple. Less than a kilometer ahead is the charming
picnic spot 'Churaan Khad' having a waterfall. The narrow trek
to the spot passes through the slate querries.
Chinmaya
Tapovan : 1,020 m. This tranquil ashram complex created by
the great exponent of Gita-Swami Chinmayanandaji is situated on
a link road bifurcating near Sidhwari on Dharamsala-Yol. road at
a distance of 9 km from town
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 Chamunda
Devi Temple : 1,000 m. The famous temple to the Goddess Chamunda
draws big crowds of worshippers throughout the year. The temple is
located o of river Baner (Banganga) a tributary of river Beas at a
distance of 15 km from the town on a motorable road. The water of
Baner khud converge into a man made bathing ghat or holy dip
by the piligrims. A Shiva temple located in a cave in the complex
is another attraction. Huge residential complex provides accommodation
to the visitors for overnight stay. |
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 Jwalamukhi:
610 m. Jwalamukhi Temple is located on Kalidhar which is an
off shoot of Shivalik hill at a distance of 10 km from Nadaun situated
on the bank of river Beas. Dedicated to goddess Jwalaji-the goddess
of flames it is very sacred.The temple complex also has a shrine
dedicated to Baba Gorakh Nath. Every year thousands of devotees
throng the temple during Navratras in April and mid October.
Access:
Air
Gaggal Airport 46 Km
Road
212 km from Shimla via Hamirpur, 123 km from Pathankot via Kangra,
473 km from Chandigarh, 35 km from Chintpurni via Nadaun.
Rail
Nearest Railway Station is near Ranital, 22 km from Pathankot-Joginder
Nagar narrow gauge railway.
Accommodation:Hotel
Jwalaji run by the tourism
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Kangra :
620 m. Kangra- a big hill state was the erstwhile kingdom
of Katoch rulers from times immemorial. Kangra Fort located
on a vertical cliff on the confluence of Banganga and Manjhi tributaries
of river Beas-was the capital and seat of power. This fort is at
a distance of 2 km from Kangra. Two
temples dedicated to Laxmi Narayan and Ambika Devi royal
deity of the Katoch Rulers along with a small Jain temple remain
the religious attractions of the fort. The fort has recently been
converted into a tourist attraction by the archeological department.Kangra
is very famous for Brajeshwar Devi temple.
Pong
Dam (Maharana Partap Sagar): 500 m.Pong Dam reservoir is 65
km from Pathankot (Panjab) and 115 km from Dharamsala. The lake
was notified as a wild life sanctuary in 1983 covering a huge area.
Many wildlife species namely nilgai, sambar barking deer, wildboar,
leopard and more than 200 species of migratory birds from central
. The lake also has vast potentials for the development of adventure
sports and a tourist resort. Pongdam is also anglers paradise. It
has a few islands too.
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| Andretta:
1,220 m. The charming village, Andretta, is situated at
a short distance from Panch Rookhi railway station a narrow gauge
rail track connecting Pathankot with Jogindernagar. A mettled road
passing through paddy fields and tea gardens from Palampur leads to
this place 13 km away. This secluded settlement is on the world map
on account of two international artists who made this as their
abode. Sobha Singh the renowned artist known for his painting
like Sohni Mahiwal and Kangra Bride settled here after partition of
India. Mrs. Norah Richard, the pioneer of rural theatre in India
created an open-air theatre here for performing artists from
different parts of the country. |
Masrur:
800 m. At a distance of 40 km from Dharamsala and 15 km
from Kangra 15 richly carved monolithic rock temples sculptured
in splendid style of the Kaliash temple of Ellora adorn this small
hamlet. Dating back to 8th century this place has images of Lord
Rama, Sita and Lakshman. The temple has a shikara spire roof.
Nurpur:
600 m. Nurpur 65 km from Dharamsala and 25 km from Pathankot (Panjab)
is located on a rocky strata. It has been named after Nurjehan,the
wife of Mugha emperor jehangir. It is famous for its historic fort
now in ruins and for temple of lord Krishna located here. It is
also known for Pashmina shawls.
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| Baijnath:
1,400-m.15 km from Palampur. Baijnath is connected by road from Palampur
on NH 20 and it is kilometer away from Paprola railway station on
narrow gauge rail track from Pathankot to Jogindernagar. The place
is famous for an ancient Vaidyanath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.Many
famous trekking routes take off from here for enchanting region of
Bara Banghal locate on high Dhauladhar range |
Bir:
2,080 m. A small village at a distance 4 km from Ahju railway station
or Bir Maur on NH, 35 km from Palampur recently shot into fame because
of it being a landing hang-gliding. A Buddhist monastery and Tibetan
Handicraft centre are its main attractions. Bir is surrounded by well
groomed tea plantations. |
Palampur:
1,219 m. Palampur  established
by Europeans, is located on NH 20 linking Pathankot with Leh.
It is only 35 km Kangra. The town is surrounded by
meticulously maintained tea gardens. The entire valley is famous
for rich cultivation. The vast terraced fields in this area
are irrigated by a large number of snowfed tributaries, nullahs
and khuds. Dhauladhar ranges in the background of the town add a magnificent
dimension to the beauty of the valley. |
Aghanjar
Mahadev Temple: 1,200 m. Famous for its Shiva Temple at Khaniyara
known for slate querries 8 km from Dharmsala also serves a picnic
spot
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