Kangra district is one of the most picturesque valley of lower Himalayas. The valley, sheltered by the sublime Dhauladhar range, is green and luxuriant. It provides a tremendous contrast in nature of places to be visited. Dharamshala is full of Buddhist air whereas ancient Hindu Temples like Brajeshwari, Baijnath, Jawalamukhi and Chamunda Devi dot the country side.
The history of Kangra valley dates back to the Vedic times more than 3500 years ago. The area was exposed to successive invasions, the last being the British domination over the princes of the hill states. Despite the onslaughts and political upheavals, the arts and crafts of the region continued to develop and found lyrical expressions. Crafts like the exquisitely designed shawls and miniature paintings of this region are internationally appreciated.
KANGRA TOWN: At the confluence of the Bener and Majhi streams, over looking the Ban Ganga torrent, Kangra town is famous for its temples. Notable is the shrine dedicated to goddess Brijeshwari. Kangra is steeped in history and its ruined fort - Nagarkot, stands as testimony to its glorious past. The town was attacked by Mohammed Ghaznavi and subjugated by Emperor Feroz Tuglak and Maharaja Rant Singh. Earlier, Kangra was the capital of the great hill state, its renowned ruler being Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch, a great patron of arts. The Miniature and Rajput Schools of hill paintings flourished during his reign.
BRAJESHWARI DEVI TEMPLE: Just outside the town is the temple dedicated to Brajeshwari Devi. Known once for its legendary wealth, this temple was subject to successive depredation by invaders from the North. Mohammed of Ghazni is known to have departed with a king’s ransom in gold, silver and jewels in 1009. Destroyed completely in 1905 by an earthquake, it was rebuilt in 1920.
KANGRA FORT: The remains of the fort of the rulers of Kangra are located on a strategic height, overlooking the Ban Ganga and Manjhi rivers.
MAHARANA PRATAP SAGAR: At an altitude of 450 m above sea level, 32 degree north and 76 degrees east. In district Kangra 170 km from Chandigarh, 110 km from Amritsar, 55 km from headquarters at Dharamshala. The closest railway stations are at Mukerian 30 km, and Pathankot at 32 km. The settlements of Nagrota Surian and Jawali-which are located on the sagar’s periphery-are connected by the charming narrow gauge Kangra railway line that connects Pathankot to Jogindernagar. The closest airport is Gaggal 40 km. The lake is well served by a network of roads.
Named in honor of the great patriot Maharana Pratap (1572-97 AD). Maharana Pratap struggled valiantly for freedom of Mewar-as for the principle of independence. In words of chroniclers James Tod and william Crook, “He spurned every overture that had submission for its basis”. Over the river Beas, the Pong dam was completed in 1976. Its reservoir covers an area of about 45000 hectares at maximum possible flooding. The level varies every season and averages around 30000 hectares. Over 200 villages with a population of over 85,000 people lie along the wetland.
Dharamshala is the district headquarter of Kangra district. This is a hill station lying on the spur of the Dhauladhar range about 18 km north east of Kangra town. Hill station is wooded with oak and conifer trees and snow capped mountains enfold three sides of the town while the valley stretches in front. The snow line is perhaps more easily accessible at Dharamshala than at any other hill resort and it is possible to trek to snow point after an early morning’s start.
In 1905, tragedy struck Dharamshala when an earthquake leveled it completely. After its reconstruction, Dharamshala flourished as a quiet health resort. It is divided into two distinct parts. Lower Dharamshala has civil offices and business establishments with courts. Kotwali Bazaar and Upper Dharamshala compose of places with names which bear witness to its history like McLeod Ganj and Forsythe Ganj. Since 1960, when it became a temporary headquarter of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Dharamshala has risen to international fame as “The Little Lhasa in India”.
Languages: Hindi, English, Punjabi and Pahari are understood & spoken by the people in tourism trade
Shopping: Kotwali Bazaar, a general shopping area, and McLeod Ganj for Tibetan handicrafts
Area: 5739 sq km
Population: 1,149,744
Altitude: Between 1250 m to 1550 m (Dharamshala)
Temperature: Max. 38 C in June: Min. 0 C in Jan.
Rainfall: Varies between 290 to 380 cm.
APPROACH
AIR: The nearest airport at Gaggal is 13 km away after which it is accessible by road.
RAIL: Pathankot, the terminal of the broad gauge railway, is 90 km. There is also a narrow gauge train from Pathankot which comes up to Kangra (94 km). and from here Dharamshala is 17 km by road.
ROAD: Direct and regular bus service from Delhi (470 km), Chandigarh (240 km), Jammu (210 km), Shimla (300 km), Chamba (192 km) and Manali (265 km).
McLEOD GANJ: A number of residential buildings, restaurants, antique and curio shops, together with famous Tibetan institutions have lent importance to McLeod Ganj. The Buddha temple is situated opposite to the present abode of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama and is worth a visit. The Tibetan Institute of performing Arts (TIPA) is 1 km walk from McLeod Ganj and preserves a number of musical dance and theatrical traditions of Tibet. It holds an annual 10-day folk opera commencing on the second Saturday of April. There is also a Tibetan handicraft centre situated at McLeod Ganj and a Sunday market is organized at about 10 minutes walk from here.
BHAGSUNAG FALLS: At a distance of 11 km from Lower Dharamshala, Bhagsunag can be approached by road, here an old temple, a fresh water spring and restaurant are located. Further about 2 km is beautiful Bhagsunag water falls.
DAL LAKE: The lake lies amidst hills and stately fir trees 11 km from Lower Dharamshala connected by motorable road. It is the starting point of excursions and trekking and is located next to the Tibetan Children’s village.
DHARAMKOT: Situated on the crest of hill 11 km from Dharamshala. This picnic spot affords a panoramic view of the Kangra valley, Pong Dam lake and Dhauladhar ranges.
TRIUND: 20 km from Dharamshala, Triund lies at the feet of the perpetually snow clad Dhauladhar at the height of 2975 m. The snow line starts at ilaqa, 5 km. from Triund. It is a popular picnic and trekking spot. Accommodation is available in the rest house of Forest Department, but water has to be fetched from a distance of about 2 km. Ropeway is being installed from Dharamshala to this place.
WAR MEMORIAL: Set amidst beautiful surroundings , this memorial is built near the entry point to Dharamshala to commemorate the memory of those who fought valiantly for the Defence of the motherland.
KUNAL PATHRI: A level 3 km walk from Kotwali Bazaar leads up to the rock temple of the local goddess.
KARERI: 22 km from Kotwali Bazaar it has a rest house for night halt. On way visit Kareri lake situated at the distance of 13 km from rest house. Durbasa and Kali temples are located here.
JWALAMUKHI TEMPLE: The famous temple of Jwalamukhi is 30 km from Kangra and 56 km from Dharamshala. Dedicated to the “GODDESS OF LIGHT”, the temple is one of the most popular Hindu temples in northern India. There is no idol of any kind the flame is considered as a manifestation of the goddess. An eternally burning and shining blue flame emanates from the rock sanctum and is fed by the priests with the offerings of devotees. The golden tower (dome) of the temple was a gift from the Emperor Akbar. Two important fairs are held here during the Navratras in earlier April and mid October. Hotel accommodation, Dharamshala, rest houses and HPTDC hotels with modern facilities are available for visitors to the shrine.
DEHRA GOPIPUR: It is situated on the bank of the Beas. It is possible to use Dehra as a base for different fishing areas like Pong Dam, Pattan, kurn and Nadaun. There are PWD & Forest rest houses for a night stay . one can also visit the famous temple of Chintpurni from here.
TRILOKPUR: It is situated 41 km from Dharamshala and can be approached by road the natural cave temple of Trilokpur contains a stalactite and stalagamite is dedicated to Shiva. High on the ridge of the cave are ruins of a palace and baradari (audience hall) of Lehna Singh Majitha, Governor of Kangra hills during the Sikh rule.
NURPUR: 66 km from Dharamshala, Nurpur is famous for an old fort and a temple of Brij Raj. Nurpur acquired its name in 1672, when Jahangir, the Mughal Emperor named it after his wife Nurjahan. Nurpuri shawls are good. There is a PWD rest house for the convenient stay of tourists.
MASROOR: Known for its monolithic rock temples, Masroor is 15 km south of Kangra. There are 15 rock cut temples in Indo-Aryan style and richly carved. The temples partly ruined now are profusely decorated with sculptural ornamentations, conceived in the same manner as the great temple of Kailash at Elora in Maharastra with which they bear a striking resemblance. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita.
Palampur, at a height of 1219 m, is a main spot in the beautiful valley surrounded by tea gardens and pine trees. The place enjoys a healthy climate and the pine scented air is said to have curative properties. The scenery presents a sublime and beautiful contrast- the plain presents a picture of rural loveliness and repose, while the hills are majestic. Behind this town stands high ranges of Dhauladhar mountains, whose tops remain covered for most part of the year. This place is being developed as large tourist centre. A ropeway and an amusement park is also on the to be established here. An Agricultural University is already functioning and some tea factories are also coming up.
There are also some pleasant walks around the town. A short walk from here takes one to the awe inspiring Bundla chasm which falls over a 100 m to the Bundla stream. The stream is a thin streak running over stony ground far below the cliff. During the monsoon seasons, it swells and rages - madly over the entire width of the chasm taking stones and boulders along with it and makes loud roaring noise like thunder.
APPROACH
AIR: Nearest airport is at Gaggal after which it is accessible by road.
RAIL: Palampur is connected by narrow gauge railway from Pathankot.
ROAD: Palampur is also accessible by road and there are many buses from Dharamshala 40 km, Kangra 18 km, Kullu-Manali 205 km & Shimla 259 km.
WHAT TO SEE
NEUGAL KHAD: Roaring in the rainy season and tinkling all the year around, Neugal Khad offers a fine view of the Dhauladhar range. Himachal Tourism café provides food and a fine view from its restaurant.
BANDLA: Spread over an area of 4 km, the estate has a modern tea factory.
ANDRETTA: Home of the famous artist, SOBHA SINGH and late play-writer. Ms. NORA RICHARDS. There are beautiful paintings worth seeing in their private houses. It affords an excellent view of Dhauladhar range.
CHAMUNDA DEVI: The famous temple dedicated to the goddess Chamunda is 25 km away and Yatri Niwas here provides an excellent accommodation for the visitors.
BAIJNATH: At a distance of 16 km from Palampur, Baijnath is a pilgrimage centre of the Hindus. Here one finds the oldest existing Shiva temple in the country, believed to have been originally built by the Pandavas close to the Binwa Khad.
BIR & BILLING: Bir, surrounded by tea gardens and an amphitheater of low hills, is an ideal landing around for para-gliders. Bir has Buddhist Monasteries that are worth visiting. Fine Tibetan handicraft are also produced here. Billing, up in the hills 14 km from Bir with an arena of 200 km for high altitude and cross country flying, is one of the best air sports sites in the country.
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