KANGRA VALLEY
Kangra takes pride in being home to the Katoch dynasty as one of the oldest surviving royal dynasties in the world. Spread out over the western region of the state, Kangra is by far the largest region of Himachal Pradesh. In the shadow of the majestic Dhauladhar ranges, the valley is also one of the most diverse and picturesque one. The people are gentle, hardworking and very hospitable.
Recorded history of Kangra dates back to more than 3,500 years. The prosperous land was subject to many invasions, but the strategically located strong fort of Kangra held out, foiling plans of most invaders. The fort in 1615 AD did even withstand a siege laid by Mughal armies of emperor Akbar. The fort’s defences in thousands of years of its history was but rarely broken into.
The natural beauty of the land gave refuge to arts and artists who fled many royal courts after the Mughal empire declined in the 17th century. A synthesis of local art forms gave rise to the famous Kangra school of painting. Masterpiece miniatures of this unique art style are on display in many reputed galleries around the world.
Languages Spoken: People engaged in tourism speak and understand English, Hindi and Punjabi. The natives mostly speak Kangri, a dialect, in their everyday lives.
Clothing essentials: The lower regions of Kangra experience high summer temperatures, whereas the hill towns are cooler with a moderate climate. Cotton clothing is suitable for the summer months and light woolens are needed when it snows in the hills of the district. Heavy woollens are needed for the winter.
Air: Kangra Airport at Gaggal is just 10 km from Kangra. Between Kangra and Delhi there are regular daily flights.
Rail: Kangra is connected by the Pathankot – Jogindernagar narrow gauge rail line. A journey on this track passes through scenic valley.
Road: Kangra is well connected by road to cities like Delhi, Chandigarh and Shimla. Shimla – Kangra distance is 220 km, Delhi – Kangra is 456 km and Chandigarh – Kangra is 223 km. Luxury coaches, public carrier buses and taxis are readily available for all destinations.
Because of the diverse demographics and cultural splendour, Kangra has plenty of destinations that will satiate the cravings of any traveller.
Transcend back in time at the Kangra Fort
One of the largest and the oldest forts in the Himalayas, Kangra Fort built by Katoch rulers dates back thousands of years. Earlier it was known as Trigarta, a kingdom that finds mention in the Mahabharata. Later it came to known as Nagarkot Fort. Built on a high ground that is naturally protected by River Banganga and another stream on three sides, the fort remained as one of the strongest ones throughout its history. It was the devastating earthquake of 1905 that caused extensive damage to it. Even in its remnants, many well preserved valuable stone sculptures, carvings, idols and other artefacts placed in the museum at the entrance of the fort speak about the grandeur that the fort once held.
Shree Bajreshwari Devi Temple
Shree Bajreshwari Devi Temple in the heart of Kangra town honours goddess Bajreshwari , an incarnation of goddess Durga. According to the legend, the temple was originally built by Pandavas during the Mahabharata era. The fame and riches of the temple attracted many invaders over the centuries. Plunder of the temple by Mahmud of Ghazni in circa 1009 AD carrying tons of gold and other valuables over the Kyber Pass is well documented by historians. After every invasion, the temple was rebuilt and restored to its old glory. The temple was flattened by an earthquake in 1905 but has since been rebuilt and restored.
Shree Jwala Devi Temple
An eternal flame of natural gas that has been burning for thousands of years from a hollow rock is revered as the manifestation of goddess Jwala Devi. Every year during Navratra days in March-April and September-October colourful festivals are held at Jwalaji. The natural flame is protected in the sanctum sanctorum with a gold layered dome shaped temple built over it. Not too far from Kangra, this popular place of pilgrimage is 55 km for Dharamshala and 35 km from Kangra.
Shree Chamunda Devi Temple
In the shadow of the mighty Dhauladhar ranges, on the banks of River Baner, the Chamunda Devi temple complex has very scenic surroundings. The temple is believed to be more than 400 years old. Local legends has us believe that it was in a dream that Devi Chamunda appeared to a Brahmin. At her command he laid the foundation of this temple. Easy to reach, this highly revered temple is 15 km for Dharamshala and 24 km from Kangra.
Baijnath Shiv Temple
An architectural gem, the stone temple of Baijnath was rebuilt at an existing temple site by two local merchants in circa 1204 AD. The shikhara style temple houses a divine Linga which is counted as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country. Believers hold that even Ravana, the king of Lanka and a devotee of Lord Shiva, also meditated at Baijnath. For Shivratri the temples is draped in flower garlands which enhances its beauty and grace. The town holds a fair which draws a lot of devotees to the temple.
Pragpur Lohri fair
Celebrated on 13th January, Lohri brings the community together for an evening spent dancing to folk songs around bonfires in many parts of Himachal. The Pragpur Lohri of Kangra is a time when the township holds a fair for the occasion.
Navratra fair
Held twice in a year on the auspicious days of Navratras, the entire Jwalamukhi town wears a festive look. A large number of pilgrims visit the temple to seek blessings of goddess Durga. Devotees pay their respects by gifting the goddess red silken flags and offering prasad.
Rali festival
In April, Rali is celebrated in Kangra. The festival commemorates a maiden Rali, who leapt into a stream after she was married against her wishes. The groom and her brothers too jumped to save her but none survived. For the festival clay models of all three are made to which maidens pray for grooms of their choice and the newly-wedded pray seeking happiness and prosperity.
Kangra also hosts other seasonal religious fairs and fests in the form of Shivratri of Baijnath, grand Holi celebrations in Palampur, Baisakhi of Kaleshwar Mahadev, grand Dussehra celebrations of Jaisinghpur and Baisakhi of Jwali.
Low rolling hills criss-crossed by narrow fast-flowing streams, scores of tiny hamlets, lush tea gardens and paddy fields with the backdrop of the majestic Dhauladhar mountains – all combine to make Kangra one of Himachal’s most beautiful tracts. Here, built in 1931, by the 27-year old ruler of Bahawalpur, Nawab Sadiq Mohammed Khan Bahadur is Al Hilal (literally the Land of the crescent moon), now called Taragarh after Maharani Tara Devi, of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, who became its subsequent owner. Now a heritage hotel, this is a splendid art-deco mansion set amidst large grounds. Memorabilia of past adorn its elegantly appointed rooms while the grounds host a ‘jungle camp’.
The town of Palampur (1219 m) is situated in a idyllic valley priding itself with tea gardens, and hills covered with pine trees. The place enjoys a year-round pleasant climate and the pine scented air is said to have curative properties. The scenery presents a sublime and beautiful contrast- the valleys presents a picture of rural innocence and repose, while the hills are majestic. Overlooking this town are the majestic Dhauladhars, whose tops remain covered with snow for most of the year. This place is thronged tourists and is now being developed as a large tourist centre. A ropeway and an amusement park is also on proposed to be constructed. An Agricultural University and a Cenral Scientific Research Institute’s IHBT are pride of the town. Some tea factories are also coming up here.
While in town one could go for one of the several pleasant walks around the town. A short walk from here takes one to the awe inspiring Bundla Chasm which has a fall of over 100 meters to the Bundla stream. The stream is a thin streak running over stony ground far below the cliff. During the monsoon season, it swells and rages madly over the entire width of the chasm taking stones and boulders along with it making thunder like loud roaring noise.
Saurabh Van Vihar: In order to enable the visitors to enjoy the nature & make them aware of the importance of nature & environment, a nature park namely “Saurabh Van Vihar” at Palampur over 13 hectare area has been established. It is located on the right bank of Neugal Khad near Kandi bridge in the lap of Dhauladhar ranges, in village Kwat, 4 km from Palampur town. Saurabh Van Vihar is developed in the memory of Martyr Lt. Saurabh Kalia, who sacrificed his life during Kargil operation on 9th June, 1999. This tourist park is bounded by majestic and picturesque Dhauladhar mountain ranges in the north and north-east. It is being managed by H.P. Forest Department through a registered society called “Saurabh Van Vihar Management Society, Palampur”.
