KANGRA

Kangra is the most populous district in Himachal Pradesh. Kangra district is named after Kangra town which was called Nagarkot in ancient times. (Link: History of Kangra) River Beas is the one of major rivers flowing through this area and has been mentioned in Rigveda.  It is a very picturesque valley in lower HImalayas and flanked by Dhualdhar range

Climate and Geography

Kangra is situated in western Himalayas between 31°2 to 32°5 N and 75° to 77°45 E. Total land area is 5739 km and is 10.3 % of total population. Altitude varies 5between 427 m and 6401 m the lowest being in west and highest in Dhauladhar mountain range along border with Kullu and Chamba.  Due to all these variations, Kullu is divided in to 5 sub-regions  Kangra Shiwalik, Pir Panjal, Beas Basin, Kangra Valley and Dhauladhar.

Weather in Kangra also varies according to elevations in different zones. Dharmsala is the wettest place in Himachal Pradesh with annual rainfall of 2500 mm, Nurpur and Dehragopipur 900- 2300 mm while  Indora gets about a 1000 mm. Mean temperature in above places varies between 15-19 degrees, 2 and 24 degrees and 24 degrees respectively.

Transport in Kangra

The only airport in Kangra is in Gaggal, 14 km from Kangra town. Nearest railway station is in Amb Andaura, 70 km away.

Roads are the primary source of transport with fairly good connectivity by state run and private  buses, Chandigarh is 226 km away and there are multiple buses running daily from Chandigarh, New Delhi, Manali and various other cities.
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People and Culture

Kangra’s population is 15 lakh and literacy rate of 86.49 %. The natives speak Kangri, which is similar to Punjabi. Majority of population is Hindu (96%) with Muslims, Christians and Sikhs making up the rest.

There is a sizeable Buddhist population in Dharmsala town and Mcleodganj who arrived as refugees in India from Tibet. Dalai Lama now lives in Tibet and Dharmsala is now the capital of Tibetan government in exile.

Tourist Attractions:

• Masroor Rock Cut Temple also called  Himalayan Pyramid is a complex of rock cut temples located in Masroor. They are built in shikhar, raising tower style of classical Indian architecture. They are believed to have been constructed in 6-8th century.
• Dharmsala and McLeodganj  Mcleodganj is a suburb of Dharamsala is also known as “Little Lhasa” or “Dhasa”  which is headquarters of Tibetan government in exile. It is a charming picturesque town with beautiful forested areas, temples and waterfalls like Bhagsu Nag, Dharmkot. More Details.
• Triund (2975 m) is a very popular hiking spot near Mcleodganj with great views of Dhauladhar mountains and Kangra valley. It can be done via Bhagsu Nag (9km) or Dharmkot ( 7km). A walk of 4 km further will take you to a small glacier Laka Got (3550 m). This is called snow line by locals.
• Palampur (1250 m) is a beautiful and historic town on foothills of Dauladhar mountain range. The town derives it’s name from word Paulm which means abundant water. More details.
• Kangra Fort is 3 km from Kangra town also known as Nagarkot and offers beautiful view of Banganga and Manjhi rivers. There is a museum with sculptures, carvings, pictures and other artifacts of interest and 3 temples.
• Maharana Pratap Sagar Sanctuary also known as Pong Reservoir created in 1975, by building the highest earthfill dam in India on the Beas River. Area of reservoir is 24,529 hectares, and that of wetland is 15,662 hectares . This area attracts birds and other wildlife in large numbers and more than 220 different bird species have been recorded recently including black stork, bar headed geese and others.
• Jwalamukhi Devi Temple is one of 52 shaktipeeth temples in India and devotees worship the goddess believed to manifest as  blue flames that burn through fissures in the old rock.

Government Services

Medical

Ambulance –  108
Red Cross – 01892-224888
Kangra – 01892-265054
Palampur – 01894-230101
Nurpur – 01893-220036
Dehra – 01970-233105

Roadways (HRTC) Enquiry

Dharamshala – 01892-224903
Kangra – 01892-265129
Palampur – 01894-230250
Nurpur – 01893-220150
Dehra  – 01970-223311

Temple Officer

Chamunda  – 01892-236034
Kangra  – 01892-265073

Gaggal Airport 01892-232374

Rest Houses and Circuit Houses in Kangra

Rest House/ Circuit House Location	PWD Division/ Booking Office	STD Code	Phone Number	e-Mail ID	Distance from Booking Office	No. of Suites
Rest House at Dharamshala Kotwali Bazaar)	E.E. Dharmshala	01892	223264	ee-dha-hp@nic.in	01.50	12
Circuit House at Dharamshala (Chilgari)	D.C. Kangra at Dharamshala	01892	226556	dc-kan-hp@nic.in	01.50	15
Rest House at Dadh	E.E. Dharmshala	01894	223264	ee-dha-hp@nic.in	15.00	5
Rest House at Kangra	E.E. Kangra	01893	255028	ee-kan-hp@nic.in	02.00	5
Rest House at Shahpur	E.E. Kangra	01892	265028	ee-kan-hp@nic.in	20.00	6
Rest House at Lunj	E.E. Kangra	01892	255028	ee-kan-hp@nic.in	32.00	2
Rest House at Ranital	E.E. Kangra	01893	255028	ee-kan-hp@nic.in	17.00	2
Rest House at Palampur	E.E. Palampur	01894	230561	ee-pal-hp@nic.in	01.00	12
Rest Houseat Thural	E.E. Palampur	01894	230561	ee-pal-hp@nic.in	20.00	4
Rest House at Khera	E.E. Palampur	01894	230561	ee-pal-hp@nic.in	22.00	2
Rest House at Jawali	E.E. Jawali	01893	264186	ee-jaw-hp@nic.in	01.00	5
Rest House Kotla	E.E. Jawali	01894	264186	ee-jaw-hp@nic.in	22.00	5
Rest House Nagrota Surian	E.E. Jawali	01892	264186	ee-jaw-hp@nic.in	26.00	5
Rest House at Nurpur	E.E. Nurpur	01893	220009	ee-nur-hp@nic.in	00.10	10
Rest House at Panthankot	E.E. Nurpur	01893	220009	ee-nur-hp@nic.in	23.00	9
Rest House at Fatehpur	E.E. Fatehpur	01893	256602	ee-fat-hp@nic.in	01.00	4
Rest House at Indora	E.E. Fatehpur	01893	256602	ee-fat-hp@nic.in	40.00	4
Rest House Kndrori	E.E. Fatehpur	01893	256602	ee-fat-hp@nic.in	45.00	3
Rest House at Dehra	E.E. Dehra	01970	233116	ee-deh-hp@nic.in	00.50	8
Rest House at Jawalamukhi	E.E. Dehra	01970	233116	ee-deh-hp@nic.in	13.00	8
Rest House at Pragpur	E.E. Dehra	01970	233116	ee-deh-hp@nic.in	12.00	2
Rest House at Haripur	E.E. Dehra	01970	233116	ee-deh-hp@nic.in	17.00	3
Rest House at Khundian	E.E. Dehra	01970	233116	ee-deh-hp@nic.in	29.00	3