Kangra Valley

Himachal Pradesh is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in India. It offers a range of scenic locations and adventure activities. Kangra valley is located in Dhauladhar range and was called Nagarkot in the past and was renamed Kangra District. The regions like Kulu, Spiti and Lahaul were also previously under Kangra district. Kangra is said to date back to the Vedic period and finds reference in Alexander's war records. The region has seen plenty of invasions over the earlier centuries.

The travel to Kangra is very easy as many bus services operate from Delhi and Chandigarh. There are different routes to reach Kangra as some may connect to places like Shimla, Ambala in Punjab and Dharamshala located in the northern sector of Kangra. The Himachal Pradesh road transport corporation has allocated specific buses to this scenic location.

Kangra Valley travel spots

Masroor rock cut temples: It is located 38 kilometers away from Kangra. The temples in this place are composed of monolithic rock sculpting which attracts many artists internationally. Closer to this rock cut temples are the hot springs of Tattawani village.

Pragpur: Located at 2000 feet above sea level, Pragpur is known for its rich heritage and cultural monuments. The significance of this place can be seen in the maintenance of the natural resources and ancient buildings by the local governing authorities.

Palampur: This place offers a unique atmosphere surrounded by tea gardens and pine trees. Tourists enjoy the Van Vihar a natural reserve maintained by the Himachal Pradesh government. It offers facilities such as entertainment and theme parks, open theatres and medicinal plant gardens. Located 12 kilometers away from Palampur is a place called Andreta which is renowned for Shobha Singh art Gallery. He revived the Kangra School of painting, characterized by devotional, brightly hued images.

Trilokpur: It is located above Dharamshala at a distance of 41 kilometers. It is one of the important destinations for Hindu pilgrims as it has the cave temple of Shiva.

Kangra Fort: It is one of the important locations of the Kangra valley as it portrays ancient culture and architecture. It located on the Shimla Mataur National Highway in Kangra town. The fort is surrounded by the Banganga and Manjhi rivers and the entry to the fort is through narrow gates which lead to ancient embossed idols. The fort lies at about 5 km from the road bridge up a narrow path. You will find a Jain temple at the foothills; offering accommodation. Catch enchanting views of the valley from the remains of Sansar Chand palace. There is a museum that contains valuable old photographs, exquisite idols and sculptures.

Dehra Gopipur: It is located on the banks of the Beas River and serves as a fishing destination for many people. It offers many hotels and hospitality services for tourists.

The Kangra valley is surrounded by many temples such as Bhaijnath temple, Chamunda temple and Jwalamukhi temple. The temple at Baijnath is built of stone and dates back to the 9th century AD. It is representative of the Shikhara style of architecture and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Dedicated to the Goddess Brijashwari, the temple was looted by Mahmud Gazni as it was rich in gemstones and gold. The flames emanating from the earth's surface are worshipped here as it is considered one of the Shakti Peethas. Masroor is famous for a group of monolithic rock-hewn temples dating back to the 10th century. Other temples dedicated to Lord Shiva are the Kanjesar Mahadev Temple and the Bhaniar Shiva Temple. Bir is a popular paragliding location, bordered by low hills and tea gardens.

Kangra Valley trip

Wooden art work and shawls are popular for their intricate design and colors. You can taste and buy fresh blend of Himalayan tea popularly known as the Kangra tea. It is considered to have potent antioxidant activity on the body. Many tourists enjoy Tibetan and North Indian cuisine as it is famous in these regions. The best time to visit the Kangra Valley is between March and June. Summer temperatures hover around 32°C while in winter the temperatures are at a pleasant 20°C. You can see the color and splendor of the local fairs and festivals around September and October.

The nearest airport is Gaggal, about 30 km from Kangra. There are 2 railway stations. You can even choose to take a luxury train trip from Pathankot to Palampur, enjoying the scenic snow-capped Dauladhar range.