From
primarily a cultural tourist destination for several decades, India
has emerged as one of the most sought-after adventure destinations
for discerning international travelers. Perhaps no other single
country in the world offers the variety of adventure opportunities
as India does.
Running alongside the Kullu valley, the Kangra valley, equally beautiful, combines the charm of a beautiful Shivalik mountain ranges soaring up into the sky on either side. There are also several tea gardens dedicated to the production of both green and black Kangra tea and a delight of every tea drinker.
People
Of KangraThe Gaddis of Kangra lead a simple and unsophisticated life, with a few needs and fewer worries, they are content with their lot. The Gaddis are Hindus and have permanent villages in the valley bottoms, where they are engaged in agriculture. The Gaddi women remain in the villages while the men roam with their sheep and goats in the higher meadows during summer. Here, they live a hard and adventurous life, often having to scare away Leoparsds and Bears who prowl arround to attack their sheep. Cheerful and courageous, they add colour to the region. The main approach to the town in from pathankot.
Kangra Town Tourist Attractions
South of Triund, lies the ancient town of Kangra, 17 km from Dharamsala and overlooking the gushing torrent Ban-Ganga, reached after passing through beautiful valley that has the luxuriant and luminous quality of a Kangra painting. Former capital of the great hill state, it is the home of the exquisite Pahari and Rajpur miniature paintings which flourished under the unstinted patronage of Raja Sansar Chand II.
Artists had started to migrate to the Himalayas after the invasion of Nadir Shah in 1739, the influx reached its peak during the reign of the Raja who held court for 25 years, in the fortress he built for himself in the Oudh-Mughal syle of architecture. The fort is still there but due to repeated seige, is partially in ruins. Under its shadow is the resplendent temple to the Goddess Brajreshwari, its golden dome spreading lustre for miles around.
Brajeshwari Devi Temple
Situated in Kangra town, this temple was once filled with a legendary fortune in diamonds and pearls. Hearing the wealth of this temple. Mahmud Ghazni plundered in the 11th century. Feroz Tughlak clearned out the restored fortune three centuries later. Final sack was carried out by Timur the lame before Mughals who followed and restored the shrine to its glory.
Chintapurni
Chintapurni, 80 km south of Dharamsala, and Trilokpur have famous stone temples. This place is a must while visiting Kangra temples for pilgrims and tourists alike.
Adventure Activities And Sports In Kangra Valley
Kangra valley, is an ideal country for adventure and sports activities like mountaineering, trekking, rock climbing and fishing, it is this valley which witness annually hang gliding rally.
Hang Gliding
3.5 km from Palampur is predominantly Buddhist town of Bir and 14 km from Bir is Billing, a beacon for Hang gliders, the world over. In the month of May/June a tented colony is set up by Himachal Pradesh tourism to facilitate hang-gliders. At this time all the roads lead to billing.
Trekking & Mountaineering
There are many peaks between 3,500m to 5,000 in Dhauladhar ranges. Most of the treks which start from Dharamsala, Palampur or Baijnath are of 5 to 8 days duration and ultimately terminate at Bharmaur and Chamba, over the majestic Dhauladhar ranges. Dharamsala to Chamba over Bhimghasutri Pass, Dharamsala to Holi and then to Manimahesh over Talang Pass; Palampur to Holi over Shinghor Pass; Palampur to Dharamsala via Indradhar Pass and Baijnath to Manali over Thamsar Pass, are some of the existing treks. Most of the treks are operational from May to October. The regional mountaineering centre at dharamsala provides technical know-how and equipment besides organising adventure courses.
