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Adorned with lush green valleys, Kangra is a district of Himachal Pradesh that lies in the foothills of the Dhauladhar range. It is also famously known as ‘Devbhumi’ or the ‘Land of Gods’. The mighty Beas River flows in this region of Kangra. There are various things to do in Kangra, ranging from natural spots to human-made attractions. From doing treks to visiting monasteries to enjoying the scenic views, there are plenty of things you can do to make the most of your holiday.
10 Things To Do In Kangra
With a plethora of things to do in Kangra, here every corner tells the story of its rich natural beauty, spirituality, and history.
1. Kangra Fort
Photo: John Hill / Wikimedia Commons
This mighty Kangra Fort is a historic fort situated in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh state, India, which is also known as ‘Nagarkot’ and ‘Kot Kangra’. Among the foothills of the Dhauladhar range, this fort stands on a hillock between two rivers—Manjhi and Banganga. This is also the largest fort in the Himalayas, occupying the lower valley of its tributaries, making it a must-visit place in Kangra.
Entry Fee: Indian Tourist: ₹150, Foreign Tourist: ₹300
Ideal Duration: 1 – 2 Hours
Best Time To Visit: October to November
Suggested Read: Explore The Amazing Things To Do In Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh
2. Kareri Lake
Photo: Fred Hsu / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Kareri is a freshwater lake that is located in the southern region of the Dhauladhar range, which is about 9 kilometres to the northwest of Dharamshala, in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Located at an altitude of 2,934 metres above sea level, it is one of the most popular trekking destinations. The fresh snow melting from the Dhauladhar range serves as the source of the lake. Though the lake is shallow, the water visibility is very high where the lake bed can be seen.
Ideal Duration: 2 – 3 hrs
Entry Fee: NA
Nearest Railways Station: Pathankot Railway station
3. Indrahar Pass Trek
Photo: Ashish Gupta / Wikimedia Commons
The trek to Indrahar Pass, in the rugged terrain of the Dhauladhar Range, is a fairly easy one and is one of the most picturesque trails that offers breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and lush valleys. The trek starts from McLeodganj and covers the Lahesh and Triund Caves, which last 14 km single-way. Along the way, you can also explore Kangra Valley and the Pir Pranjal Range from the Indrahar Pass while cherishing the scenic beauty of the trek. Besides trekking, here you can also camp under the starlit sky at Lake Glacier in order to experience the peacefulness of the night, and view the spellbinding constellations.
Best Time To Visit: April to October
Entry Fee: NA
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Dalhousie That Leave An Imprint On Your Soul, Forever
4. Masrur Rock
Photo: Akashdeep83 / Wikimedia Commons
Known for its Sikharas, Masrur Rock is around 30 km from Kangra. It resembles the Angkor Wat of Cambodia. Marsur Rock is a magnificent rock architecture and is also known as the Himalayan Pyramid. This is the monolithic temple, which is carved from a single rock. These 10th-century temples were badly damaged in the 1905 earthquake. This ancient temple has now a complex, exquisite structure that showcases the craftsmanship that has been standing for over a millennium, thus making it among the top five things to see in Kangra.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
5. Pragpur Village
Photo: Sahil Dhiman / Wikimedia Commons
Pragpur village is near Kangra. It is a heritage village lying in the shadows of the Dhauladhar range. This is reputedly India’s first heritage village, which pulls towards authentic cobbled streets, historic water tanks, mud plaster walls, and slate-roofed homes. So, if you are a culture vulture, you can head to this amazing attractions so as to have a fulfilling experience. his stands on 12 acres of lush greenery and is a short walk from the village core and the Taal.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Ideal duration: 3 days
Suggested Read: Discover Baijnath Temple
6. Kangra Art Museum
Photo: Brahmavadini / Wikimedia Commons
The Kangra Museum is a hub of art and culture of the state dedicated to the Tibetan and Buddhist marvels, which give the experience of the artwork and their rich history. The large variety of its precious collectibles of poetry, sculptures and paintings date back to the 5th century. Here, you can also explore the royal dress and shamianas, along with the coins, cravings, manuscripts and jewellery that shows the essence of tribal culture which beautifully reflects the pieces of art and culture. You can also visit and explore the well-stocked library, contemporary artists, and more.
Entry Fee: ₹50 for Indian, ₹100 for Foreigners
Best Time To Visit: October to November and March to April
7. Palampur
Photo: Sumeet Jain / Wikimedia Commons
Palampur is situated amid the lush green landscapes of Himachal Pradesh. Blessed with numerous tea gardens and beautiful deodar trees, a tour of this charming town is meant to leave you spellbound with its picturesque beauty. So, do explore the beautiful landmarks in Palampur for a thrilling experience, for the panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, meandering rivers, and verdant valleys are nothing but magical. Palampur is often referred to as the ‘Tea Capital of North India’ due to its vast tea gardens and plantations. Therefore, it leaves all tea lovers with an immersive experience.
Ideal duration: 1 – 2 days
Best Time To Visit: March to June and September to November
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Hamirpur During Your Himachal Tour
8. Tashi Jong
Photo: Vijay roxx / Wikimedia Commons
In order to explore nearby attractions, you can head to Tashi Jong. Because, it is around 50 km from Kangra town towards Mandi. Founded by Lamas, it is a small rural area situated between Parpola and Taragarh. A small village famous for its small community of Drukpa Kagyu, which is one of the schools of Kagyu tradition established by the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche. Life of Tashi Jong’s community revolves around carpet making, Thangka painting, and woodcarving. So, if you are interested in several manifestations of Buddhism, this temple visit is beckoning you.
Best Time To Visit: March to April and October to November
Ideal Duration: 1 – 2 Days
9. Pong Dam
Photo: Vikasjariyal / Wikimedia Commons
Pong Dam Lake, built on the Beas River in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, covers 673 square kilometres. This earth-fill reservoir was constructed in 1975 to generate hydroelectricity for irrigation purposes. The lake protects Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake and wetland, and the region boasts rich wildlife. The reservoir is home to 220 bird species, and has been converted into a bird sanctuary. With 54 species of waterflow and 27 fish species, it is the breeding ground of commercially viable fish. So, bird lovers can come here for a unique experience.
Ideal Duration: 1 – 2 hrs
Entry Fee: NA
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Tirthan Valley
10. Chamunda Devi Temple
Photo: Ashish3724 / Wikimedia Commons
Chamunda Devi Temple, one of the 51 Shakti peethas, is approximately 10 kilometres towards Palampur on the banks of the Baner. This is the most religious site in Himachal and is known as one of the most powerful avatars of Goddess Durga. The temple attracts tourists from all parts of India because of the many spiritual legendary stories attached to it. The local residents of the hill town consider it one of the holiest places in the area because it is attached to history and legends.
Timings: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Ideal Duration: 1 – 2 hrs
Entry Fee: NA
If you are thinking of visiting Kangra, go for it without any second thought, because you are about to discover a heaven on this earth while at this place. There are a bevy of things to do in Kangra that make it worth visiting. So, whether you are with your friends or on a solo trip, Kangra offers attractions for each of you. And, as you book a holiday with TripXL, you are going to have the best travel experience without any hassle.
Cover Photo: Balajijagadesh / Wikimedia Commons
