Here Dhauladhar mountain range in Dharamshala, temples and forts with lush green tea gardens in Palampur will be seen. If you are going to visit Kangra, the land of Gods, then you must know about the places to visit around it. All these places have their own characteristics. So let’s know where you can visit while visiting Kangra.
Kangra Fort
The Kangra Fort in the Kangra Valley stands witness to its magnificence, wealth, wars and invasions. It is considered the largest fort in the Himalayan region and the oldest fort in India. The origin of the fort is believed to be from the ancient Trigarta kingdom, which is also mentioned in the Mahabharata. Although the fort was damaged during the earthquake in 1905, it is still very famous among tourists due to its magnificence. You can get beautiful views of the surrounding areas from the top of the fort.
Brajeshwari Temple
One of the 51 Shaktipeeths in India, Brajeshwari Temple is famous for its architecture and unmatched spiritual vibes. It is said that the Brajeshwari temple was built by the Pandavas of the Mahabharata. Goddess Durga appeared in his dreams, who instructed him to build a temple in his honour. When the ancient temple was destroyed in the 1905 earthquake, the government rebuilt it. Dedicated to Goddess Brajeshwari, the temple is also known as Kangra Devi Temple. (photo credit: wikipedia)
Baijnath Temple
Kangra is home to many ancient temples. One of these is also the Baijnath temple. The ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshiped here as Baijnath. The faith of the devotees is attached to this temple built in 1204 AD. They believe that whoever prays here, all his sorrows and pains go away. This temple is one of the few ancient temples in India where both Lord Shiva and Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, are worshiped together. (photo credit: wikimedia commons)
Kareri Lake
People come from far and wide to see the beautiful views of Kareri Lake near Kangra. This sweet water lake is also known as Kumarwah Lake. It is said that the water in this lake is collected by the melting of snow. The water here is so clear that you can clearly see the bottom of the lake. The place is nothing less than a paradise for trekkers and nature lovers. The view of the lake is worth seeing during winters. If you go to Kareri Lake, then you must visit the ancient Shiva and Shakti temple located nearby.
Masroor, Kangra
Masroor is also a place to visit near Kangra. The place is famous for its ancient rock-cut temples. These 8th-century temples are carved out of a monolithic rock, and if you look closely, they resemble the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the Elephanta Caves in Mumbai and the rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu. While staying here you can enjoy the architecture of ancient eras. (photo credit: wikimedia commons)
Tashi Jong Monastery
The Himalayan region of India is full of monasteries. One of these is Kangra, where the beautiful Tashi Dzong Monastery is a major settlement of Tibetan refugees. Founded by the eighth Khamtrul Rinpoche, Dongyu Nyima, the monastery follows the Drugpa Kagyu tradition of Buddhism. The complex has a main temple which houses the stupa of Khamtrul Rinpoche. The entire building is decorated with wood carvings, thangka paintings and gilding. The monastery also has a craft emporium where you can buy Tibetan artefacts.