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Kangra
Languages : Hindi, Himachali, English
Best time to visit : March - June
STD Code : 01892
The small town of Kangra was the capital of the erstwhile
rulers of the Chand dynasty. It is set amongst the picturesque
settings of the Kangra valley at the foothills of the majestic
Dhauladhar range. The area around Kangra is known for its
ancient temples and picturesque surroundings, which attract
the tourists.
Kangra is located in the western part of the state of Himachal
Pradesh, in the northern region of India. It is 18 km south
of Dharamshala. The weather in Kangra is alpine. Summers (April-June)
are mild and winters are cold (November-February). It experiences
southwestern monsoon rains in July-September. The Kangra region
receives the second highest rainfall per annum.
Places of Interest
The small town of Kangra is famous for its Vajreshwari Devi
(Kangra Devi) temple. Though the original temple was
destroyed in a devastating earthquake, the present one is
rebuilt on the same site. A large number of devotees throng
this temple during various Hindu festivals. The ancient fort
of Nagar Kot is located 2.5 km south of the town, perched
on a high windswept ridge. Although this fort is in ruins,
the travelers can enjoy the panoramic view of the surroundings,
which includes the confluence of Manjhi and Baner rivers.
SITES NEARBY
There are a number of important temples near Kangra. The small
town of Masrur, 15 km from Kangra, is known for its intricately
carved temples. Masrur has a group of 15 sandstone-hewed monolithic
rock-cut temples belonging to 10th century AD. The carvings
and sculpture found in this group of temple reminds one of
the world-famous rock-cut temples of Ellora in the state of
Maharashtra. Though most of the temples and sculptures are
in a bad shape, yet they reflect the glory of the bygone era.
The road from Kangra to Masrur offers magnificent views of
the Dhauladhar range. The temple of Jawalamukhi is 34 km south
of Kangra. A marvel in itself, it is perhaps the only temple
in India where natural jets of flame flare out from the hillside
covered by the ancient, holy edifice. The temple has been
a major attraction for an assortment of people down the centuries.
HOW TO REACH
Kangra does not have an airport. It has two railway stations:
Kangra station, which is 3 km south of the town, and the Kangra
Mandir station, 3 km east of the town. Indian Railways has
introduced the "Kangra Queen" between Pathankot and Palampur.
This luxury train running on narrow gauge covers a distance
of 128 km in 4½ hours with two halts-Jawalamukhi and Kangra.
The entire route provides panoramic view of the snow-capped
Dhauladhar range. The Kangra bus stand is located north of
the Bazaar, along the Dharamshala Road. Bus service from Kangra
to Dharamshala (45 minutes) and Palampur is frequent.
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