In the Panchkula district of Haryana, Kalka is a picturesque town that attracts tourists throughout the year. The town is named after the Hindu goddess, Kalki, who is a significant figure in Hindu mythology. Kalka presents a magnificent view of the Himalayan foothills and is well-connected to important cities in Northern India like Delhi, Ambala and Chandigarh. It is also accessible from Pinjore and Parwanoo. There are many beautiful places to visit in Kalka. You can find a lot of solace and tranquillity in the heart of a town like Kalka.
10 Places To Visit In Kalka
Kalka is full of beautiful places that attract travellers from far and wide. Here is a curated list of places to visit in Kalka that you can choose from.
1. Prachin Shree Kali Mata Temple
Photo: Shrikalkajimandir / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Kalki Mata Temple is a significant spot in the town of Kalka because the town is named after the goddess. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Kali. It lies on the border shared by Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. The temple is nicely decorated and the security at the entrance is very strict. The temple is under the supervision of the Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board of Panchkula district. The temple attracts a huge influx of devotees during morning and evening aartis. A lot of people come to this Mandir for their grand Navratri celebration. The temple is also believed to have been built by the Pandavas from Mahabharata.
Timings: 4 AM – 10 PM
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 to 2 hours
2. Gurudwara Nada Sahib
Photo: Gaganspidey / Wikimedia Commons
This Gurudwara is painted in a pristine white colour and radiates a lot of peace and tranquillity in those who visit it. It is close to the Ghaggar River and provides a stunning view of the Sivalik hills. It is believed to have given refuge to Guru Gobind Singh Ji after the Battle of Bhangani. The Gurudwara takes on a structure that includes two storeys and a dome. It is around 32m high and there is a religious flag that has been placed at its highest point. The Sikh Heritage Museum on the premises of the Gurudwara reconstructs the history of Sikhs.
Timings: 24*7
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 to 2 hours.
3. Cactus Garden
Photo: Pankajkukreti03 / Wikimedia Commons
This garden is officially named the National Cactus and Succulent Botanical Garden. It is located in the Panchkula Urban Estate. It spreads over 7 acres of land and is known for being home to rare species of endangered succulent plants. Over 3500 species of Cactus are found in this garden. It was first established in 2004 with plants belonging to the collection of Tarsem Lal. It included 500 plants at that time. The founder of the garden was J.S Sarkaria. You can learn a lot about cacti at this garden through the descriptions that are provided with each exhibit. The garden lies right opposite to the Sector 9 market in Panchkula.
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
Ideal Trip Duration: 2 to 3 hours
4. Morni Hills
Photo: Balkar Singh / Unsplash
The Morni Hills are at an altitude of 1267 metres. The Hills offer a lot of beautiful lakes and are rich in diverse flora and fauna. The hills are named after a queen who used reign over the area 2000 years ago. The Morni Hills are home to the Mountain Quail Resort. Tourists are encouraged to stay comfortably here at affordable rates. The Morni Hill Waterfall is a star attraction in these hills. It is fed well during the monsoon season and attracts a lot of tourists to it. The Morni Pheasant Breeding Centre is also located in the Morni Hills. Red Junglefowls and Kalij Pheasants are spotted here.
Timings: 24*7
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 to 3 days
5. Pinjore Gardens
Photo: Shahnoor Habib Munmun / Wikimedia Commons
Officially named the Yadavindra Garden, this garden offers a lush green landscape where visitors can rejuvenate themselves. It dates back to the 17th century and draws heavily from the structure of Mughal Gardens. Though built by Fidai Khan, the garden underwent a lot of changes when the Patiala dynasty was ruling. The garden is often compared to Shalimar Bagh in Kashmir. It is known for having seven terraces. There is also a Shish Mahal or Glass palace and a Hawa Mahal. Flowering plants and Cypress trees are found abundantly in the third terrace. Fountains and groves of trees are admired by visitors who come to this garden. There is also a toy train which you can hop on to, for some extra fun.
Timings: 7 AM – 9:30 PM.
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 to 2 hours
6. Sri Trimurtidham Balaji Temple
Photo: Bsnehal / Wikimedia Commons
This temple is of great significance to the Hindu community dwelling in and around Kalka. It is atop a hill and faces the city of Parwanoo, which is of great industrial significance to the state of Haryana. The temple is famous for bearing five idols. The idols of Lord Balaji, Maharishi Bhrigu, Mahamaya Amareshwar Mahadev and Ananthsayee are enshrined in this temple. It was not easy to construct the temple on the hill it resides at present. The land was uneven and full of thorns. But the people of Kalka believed the Shri Balaji’s grace had led to the progress of the construction.
Timings: 7 AM – 8 PM
Ideal Trip Duration: 2 to 3 hours
7.Shri Mata Mansa Devi Temple
Photo: Barthateslisa / Wikimedia Commons
As the name of the temple suggests, this temple is dedicated to goddess Mansa, who is considered to be an incarnation of Shakti. It occupies around 100 acres of land. It is located at a distance of 10 km from the Chandi Mandir, which is also a shrine of great significance to the Hindu community. The temple was built under the reign of Maharaja Gopal Singh of Mani Majra. The temple is considered to be one of the Shakti Peetha temples in India. There is a Yagya Shala within the temple complex which has intricate architectural details.
Timings: 5 AM – 9 PM
Ideal Trip Duration: 3 to 4 hours
8. Sukhna Lake
Photo: Shanmugamp7 / Wikimedia Commons
This lake attracts a number of visitors throughout the year. It is an artificially created, man-made lake that was established in the year 1958. A lot of visitors come here for the perfect view of the sunset and the sunrise. It is a popular weekend getaway for those going on a road trip from Chandigarh. You can enjoy a picnic at the lakeside along with your family and friends. It is also very close to the Rock Garden. The lake is meticulously maintained. Fishes sized more than 30cm are not allowed in the lake for scientific reasons. A lot of migratory birds like storks, Siberian ducks and cranes can be spotted by this lake.
Timings: 5 AM – 9 PM
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 to 2 hours
9. Manki Point
Photo: reinhold_embacher / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
This place is very well connected, being located quite close to a bus stand. It is situated atop a hill and is famous for a small temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. This area is always filled with monkeys. Monkey point offers a panoramic view of the town of Kalka, as well as Chandigarh and the Sutlej River. Sometimes, you can also spot the snow capped peak of the mountain called Choor Chandni. It is believed that Lord Hanuman had first touched this point while acquiring the Sanjeevani herb. Manki Point is located at an altitude of 300m. A lot of tourists who seek adventure and thrill can go on a trek up to the Manki Point.
Timings: 5 AM – 10:30 PM
Ideal Trip Duration: 2 to 4 hours
10. Kalka-Shimla Railway
Photo: Rithik Hansda / Unsplash
The Kalka-Shimla Railway is at present, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built during British Rule in India to connect Shimla to other parts in India. Shimla used to be the summer capital of the British administration. The length of the Kalka-Shimla Railway is 96km. This railway is also declared as a heritage property by the government of Himachal Pradesh. In 2023, however, landslides had washed away a lot of parts of the line. The Railway line is also famous for featuring in the Guinness Book of World Records. The railway line provides a beautiful view of Himachal and Kalka.
Timings: 5:25 AM – 12:10 PM
Ideal Trip Duration: 2 to 4 hours
The beautiful town of Kalka is well connected to places like Kasauli, Chandigarh and parts of Himachal Pradesh. There are a number of temples and gardens that attract a large influx of visitors to this town in Panchkula, Haryana. If you are looking forward to places to visit in Kalka, then do not forget to plan your trip now and choose TripXL for your bookings.
Cover Photo: Gaurav Kumar / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only