Kangra
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 |