Kangra is a beautiful district of Himachal Pradesh in the foothills of the Himalayas. Kangra is also named “Land of Gods”, which means “Dev Bhumi” in Hindu texts. As the name given to this place, this region is a perfect blend of many temples and gorgeous nature with stunning friendly weather. Kangra region is secured by the lush greens and snow-capped Dhauladar range and a crystal blue Beas River flowing down its terrain which enhances the beauty of this region.
Kangra Is filled with many mesmerizing pilgrim spots that attract many travellers from all over the world to step into its lap. Kangra offers a blend of spirituality, culture, history, and natural beauty, which makes Kangra a must-visit place for anyone visiting Himachal Pradesh. These are some of the top gorgeous places in Kangra to explore once in a lifetime.
Exploring Kangra, Himachal Pradesh: Must-Visit Destinations
1. Kangra Fort:
Kangra Fort is probably one of the largest and oldest forts in India. It was built by the kings of the Katoch dynasty and is well renowned as Nagar Kort and Kot Kangra. This ancient fort has mind-blowing architecture, which includes the grand old doors and every gate here has a history behind it. Also, it is home to 21 mysterious wells with treasure. All these things give the fort a grandeur look which attracts the people more.
The nature around the fort enhances the beauty of every wall of this historical place. One can enjoy the attractive nature and mind-blowing Himalayan views by stepping into the fort. Best place for people who are interested in history. At the end of the trip, this place fills you with a unique experience with a mix of history and nature.
Best Time to Visit: September to June.
Also Read: Himachal Pradesh in November: Must-Visit Attractions
2. Dharamshala:
Dharamshala is the headquarters of the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, situated at an altitude of 1475 meters above sea level on the base of the Himalayas. This hillside city is filled with Tibetan culture, which is reflected in every corner of the city, giving this place a unique mark in the art and culture of India.
Dharamshala is a mix of serene spirituality, picturesque nature, stunning colours, and vibrant culture. Some of the must-watch places in Dharamshala are the Kangra Valley, Monasteries, Dharamshala Cricket Stadium, Dhauladar mountain range, and Toy train journey. Dharamshala is an ideal place for people who are adventure freaks and it offers tourists a great opportunity to meditate and soak in the mellowness of the beautiful nature.
Best Time to Visit: March to June
3. Palampur:
Palampur is a unique and fastly developing town which is in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh because of its heritage and features which are suitable for humankind. Palampur is situated at the base of the Dhauladar mountain range, so it is a convergence of the plains and the hills, which gives a distinctive look to this place. Palampur is a Tea Capital of North India and well known for its lush green tea gardens and pine plantation which fills the Palampur with a fresh aromatic breeze.
The architecture in Palampur is in the Victorian style, which gives this place an inimitable style and attraction. This architecture, along with the heritage and the scenic beauty of nature, attracts people from all over the world to step into the Palampur. Palampur’s Bir and Billing village is the ecstasy for the people who are adventure enthusiasts, for it contains paragliding, trekking, and skydiving. Overall, it is the finest place to have an unforgettable experience in every aspect of nature.
Read also: Himachal in October: Best Places to Explore
Best Time to Visit: November to June
4. Mcleodganj:
Mcleodganj is a hill station and a neighbour of Dharamshala in Kangra district and it is snuggled in the lap of the Himalayas. Mcleodganj is the Tibetan government-in-exile headquarters and the population of Tibetans is also high in this region, so that’s why this place is also known as “Little Lhasa”. This is very famous, for it is the home of the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. For this reason, this place is a composite of Indian and Tibetan cultures living in beautiful harmony with each other.
This scenic hill town possesses attractive gifts like peaceful weather, trekking traces, blissful landscapes, and a lively culture with immense spirituality and picturesque views which attract people throughout the world, especially adventure seekers. With the mix of all these features, this is the best place to visit once in a lifetime.
Best Time to Visit: October to June
McLeod Ganj Package: 2 Nights 3 Days Mcleodganj Travel Itinerary
5. Kareri Lake:
Kareri Lake which is also known as Kumarwah Lake is a freshwater lake and is located in the south of the Dhauladar range, about 9 kilometers to the northwest of Dharamshala and at an altitude of 2934 meters above the sea level in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh. As the water is fresh and the lake is narrow, water visibility is very high and the lake bed can be seen in most of the places in the lake.
As this lake is situated at that height, it is very popular for trekking and camping because this place doesn’t see much crowd. In the time of a pleasant sunrise, the landscape and the mountain peaks’ colours turn into shades of orange, red, and gold which are surrounded by lush greenery and snow. The imagination of this scenic itself is stunning. What if we experience it in real? Kareri Lake is blessed with such a beauty of nature and it is the best place to visit once in a lifetime.
Best Time to Visit: May to June and September to November.
6. Pong Dam:
Pong Dam, also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar, Pong Reservoir and Beas Dam is a wetland zone and was built in 1975 on the Beas River to generate hydroelectricity and irrigation. This Dam is a vast water body spread over 240km and is one of the largest man-made reservoirs which is rich in unique biodiversity and comprises rich wildlife and a breeding ground for commercially feasible fish. It is home vast number of birds and different varieties of species. For containing all these features, this place is acknowledged as one of the 27 international wetland sites by Ramsar Conventions.
It is the best place for doing water sports, birdwatching, fishing, photography, and trekking. The dam is surrounded by beautiful historical places, one such is the Masoor Rock Out Temples near the Pong Dam. If you want to witness the friendly nature with the mix of different wildlife, this Pong Dam is the best place.
Best Time to Visit: November to February
7. Shri Chamunda Devi Temple:
Shri Chamunda Devi Temple is also known as Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham, which is situated 19km away from Palampur town in Kangra District. The history of this temple is imbued in mythology and folklore, adding a spiritual attraction to its presence.
When it comes to the architecture, the grandeur of this temple reflects the symphonic fusion of Himachali style and elaborate craftsmanship, and the structure of this temple is enhanced with ornate sculptures and vibrant colors which stand as visual evidence of the rich cultural evidence of this region. With all these features, this is the best place for people to witness the beautiful connection between spirituality and serene nature.
Best Time to Visit: Between May to September.
Conclusion:
From cultural festivals to adventurous sports and from scenic nature to immense spirituality, Kangra fills all the things in its lap. It is filled with lots and lots of destinations which will satisfy the cravings of any type of traveller. Embark on your journey with Kangra and surely, you will end the journey with lots of tremendous memories.
Additional Resources:
- Places to Visit in Himachal in January
- Himachal Tourist Destinations to See in February
- Tourist Places Visit in Himachal in March
- Himachal Visit in April for Famous Places
- Places to Visit in May in Himachal
- Himachal Travel in June Best Places Visit
- Tourist Places to See Himachal in July
- Himachal August Travel in Popular Places
- Places to Visit in Himachal in September
- October Travel in Himachal for Popular Places
- Himachal Visit Famous Destinations in November
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