A culturally rich and prominent district of Himachal, Kangra is an important and beautiful place in the lap of Dhauladar mountain range. Kangra got its name because of a famous ancient plastic surgeon who used to live there and provide plastic surgery for royals. Kangra is a composition of word made out of Kaann meaning ear and gaddha meaning to create or mold. Thus, the place got the name from the creator of ear and others facial features back then in ancient times. A place that has such an interesting story behind it has a lot to offer to its tourists.
From the tourism point of view, the state of Kangra is immensely gifted with beautiful scenery, numerous water sources and surrounding snow-capped mountains.
The valley of Kangra is the most picturesque, green and luxuriant valleys of lower Himalayas. Famous for its tea gardens and popular ancient temples, many devotees visit Kangra every year. Kangra has rich cultural heritage like Masroor Rock cut Temple, Jwalaji Mata Temple, Chamunda Devi Temple etc. Other touching areas are Palampur, Dharamshala and Chamunda which are also on the lists of most of the tourists who visit Kangra. Tea gardens in Palampur, Buddhist monasteries in Dharamshala and famous Chamuda Devi Temple in Chamunda certainly attracts a lot of visitors every year leaving them spellbound and gratified with the beauty and serenity of these small towns.
Probably the oldest fort in India and largest fort in Himachal, the origin of Kangra Fort dates back to ancient times. The rich history of the fort makes it worth visiting the place. The fort has quite a controversial history with a lot of kings and rulers wanting to win the massive fort during their rules. It is a beautiful fort carved intricately in numerous Darwaza (doors) and passages that have sharp turns and angles.
Things to do at Kangra Fort:
Visting The Place
Masroor Rock Cut Temples
Location: Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India
A famous archeological site in Kangra, Masroor Rock cut temples are the ruins of many temples built between 8th and 9th century. It is a group of 15 monolithic rock cut temples designed in Indo-Aryan style. Shrines of Hindu gods Rama and Laxman and Sita are most prominent inside the temples. The main attraction about this group of temples is that it is carved in a single rock. Legend has it that Pandavas spent a long period of time here in this temple during their exile.
Things to do at Masroor Rock Cut Temples:
Visting The Place
Bajreshwari Devi Temple
Location: Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India
Yet again temple that was built by Pandavas as per the legends, Bajreshwari temple is a remarkable temple highly revered by devotees. It is said that the rulers of the region hid enormous treasure in the temple that attracted plunders across the globe.
Things to do at Bajreshwari Devi Temple:
Visting The Place
Jwala ji Temple
Location: Jwalamukhi, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India
The popular Jwala ji temple is dedicated to Jwala Devi, the goddess of light and is visited by thousands of devotees every year. It is one of the famous 51 Shaktipeeths shrines in India. Legend has it that the Jwala or flame that emits from the temple never burns out and has been burning since ages. So, ther is no reason to not to visit this highly revered temple in Kangra.
Things to do at Jwala ji Temple:
Visting The Place
Kareri Lake
Location: Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India
Magnificent Kareri lake is located at an altitude of 2934 meters above sea level and looks just astounding once you witness it. It is a fresh water shallow lake south of Dhauladhar range in Kangra. Lake is fed by the melting glaciers from Dhauladhar range. It’s unparalleled beauty will leave you spellbound and touched. Worth a visit in summer particularly!
Things to do at Kareri Lake:
Visting The Place
Chamunda Devi Temple
Location: Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India
700 year old Chamunda Devi Temple is spread across a large area with a kund behind the temple where devotes come to take a holy dip. A huge Shiva Linga behind the temple is major attraction of the temple where many devotees pay a visit for blessings. So, come and seek blessing in this holy temple of Chamunda Devi.
Things to do at Chamunda Devi Temple:
Visting The Place
Weather in Kangra
Kangra has a sun tropical climate where summers is little hotter, temperature ranging between 22 to 32 degree Celcius. Winters are not very cold like Dharamashala and Chamba but winds blowing from Dhauladhar mountain ranges could sometime get quite freezy
Best Time to Visit
The ideal time to visit Kangra is between June to September. The summer months of May and June make an ideal time for trekking in the valley. The temperature stays up to 22-30 degrees Celcius making it pleasant for weekend getaways.
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How to Reach
By Air
Board a flight from the nearest Gaggal airport in Kangra city to popular cities of Jammu, Amritsar and Chandigarh.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Pathankot Junction which is about 90 kms away from Kangra.
By Road
The place is well-connected to different locations in Himachal Pradesh. Catch state owned buses from Palampur, Dharamshala, Pathankot, Amritsar, Jammu, Chandigarh, Shimla etc. You can also hire a private taxi or cab for a comfortable journey.