Devbhoomi Himachal Pradesh is one of the most aesthetically pleasing places on earth. It is home to 14 angelic valleys and one such valley is the magical Kangra Valley! Coming to the tourist places to visit in Kangra, it has a lot in its pocket! Let’s unwind the same.

Kangra is often referred to as the ‘Land of Gods’ (Himachal has 5 Shaktipeeths and out of which 3 are in Kangra). Kangra is surrounded by lush greenery and the snow-capped Dhauladhar range with the river Beas flowing through the city. Apart from Shaktipeeths, there are other religious sites in Kangra like the Baijnath temple and Baglamukhi temple that are highly sacred.  

Well, not only sacred places but there are other tourist places to visit in Kangra like museums, monasteries, lakes, waterfalls, and picnic locations. Come let’s take a look at the most visited tourist places to visit in Kangra. 

Best tourist places to visit in Kangra

1. Kangra Fort

2. Masroor Rock Cut temple  

3. Shaktipeeths

4. Bathu Ki Ladi

5. Palampur

6. Tashi Jong Monastery

7. Pragpur

8. Baglamukhi Temple

9. Baijnath Temple 

10. Kareri Lake

1. Kangra Fort:

Kangra fort has been a part of myth and history for almost four millennia, being first mentioned in Panini’s work and in The Mahabharata. It is located at a distance of around 4 km from the main city.

Once you’ve reached the spot, get your tickets from the ticket counter which is around 20 rupees per person, and head towards the fort. There’s a towering gate at the entrance which will definitely make you crave the insides.  The intricate wall carvings and stairways in the fort are the next things to notice. These walls still conceal many secrets.

The Dynasty is said to have been founded when Goddess Ambika battled Raktbeej, a demon. Amidst the battle, the goddess cleaned off the sweat from her brow and a fallen iota created the first Katoch, who helped her lace the demon. It was then when Goddess gifted him the kingdom of Kangra as a reward.  

Visit this fort to discover more fascinating facts! Don’t forget to take some beautiful pictures of this ancient wonder. Have a wonderful day here!  

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2. Masroor Rock Cut temple:

Next in the line of tourist places to visit in Kangra is Masroor rock-cut temple. Himachal Pradesh’s Masroor Temple is among the magnificent rock-cut temples of India. The monolithic temple is not known to many but has great relevance in history. 

According to Legends, this temple premise is believed to have been the home of the Pandavas during their exile. It is believed that inside the temple, there is an incomplete staircase that was built by the Pandavas to reach the pearly gates.

In order to complete the staircase, the Pandavas took a vow to complete the construction work by the same day. When Indra Dev, the king of the Gods got to know about the same he got frazzled as knew that the stairs would make it simple to reach the abode of god. What he did: Before Dawn, he transformed himself into a crown and crooned loudly. Therefore, they’re not able to complete the staircase. 

Aren’t these interesting facts enough to make you visit this tourist attraction in Kangra?  Come on, spend some time in introspection! 

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3. Shaktipeeths:

There are three Shaktipeeths in the Kangra district. Brijeshwari Mata, Chamunda Mata, and Jawalaji. If you’re in Kangra with your family during Navratras, don’t miss any of them! 

Jwalaji: It is believed that Sati’s tongue fell on this land. This temple has no idols. The blue flames coming out of the crevices in the rocks represent the goddess, according to the locals. It is located 35 km from Kangra. 

Brijeswari temple: Here, Maa Sati is manifested as Goddess Brajeshwari. It is said that her left breast had fallen in this temple. It is located in the main Kangra city.

Chamunda Temple: Another Shaktippeth in Kangra district is located 15 km from Dharamshala. The temple sits on the bank of the Baner River. Shiva and Sati are believed to reside here. She killed two demons named Chanda and Munda, giving her the name Chamunda. 

As one of the seven Matrikas to protect good from evil, Chamunda is a fierce form of Maa Durga. As her guardians, Lord Bhairav and Lord Hanuman are represented as idols with red cloth around them. It is located 24 km from Kangra. 

4. Bathu Ki Ladi:

Bathu ki Ladi has situated around 30 km from Kangra and is one of the most popular tourist places to visit in Kangra. It is an undiscovered and rustic haven in Himachal near Pong Dam. Only between March and June is it possible to view and visit the temple since it remains underwater from July to February. With the rise of water levels in Pong Dam Lake, the temple becomes submerged.

The temple remains intact despite being submerged in water for such a long period of time. The reason behind this? The temple is made up of a powerful stone called ‘bathu’. When you look at the temple, most of it is submerged in water, and only a few towering pillars are visible.

Moreover, Pong Dam wetlands are a birdwatcher’s paradise, since more than 200 bird species come here to nest, which makes it a paradise for bird watchers. 

5. Palampur:

Palampur, located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, is an idyllic town surrounded by thousands of tea gardens and beautiful deodar forests. Originally part of a Sikh kingdom, Palampur later attracted English settlers and soon became a center for trade and commerce. Castles and mansions featuring Victorian-style architecture are evidence of their presence. 

With its lush greenery and breathtaking landscape, the city has a mesmerizing effect. The vast tea gardens stretched all over the Palampur are a sight to behold. And when you drive the roads of Palampur, you’ll get a sense of its raw, surreal beauty.

And as for adventure enthusiasts you can enjoy paragliding, Rafting, mountain trekking, or skydiving with so much fun. Make sure you visit Palampur to explore the unexplored destinations that offer a peaceful and serene environment to tourists. 

6. Tashi Jong Monastery:

This monastery is located in Tashi Jong village, a small village between Paprola and Taragarh. Palampur is about 15 km from here. The monastery sits in a peaceful place between the mountains, which makes it perfect for meditation.

The monastery was established by the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche, Dongyu Nyima. They practice ascetic yoga and follow the Drukpa Kagyu tradition. The Kagyu school originated from the Mahamudra meditation technique which was developed by the Indian Tantric yogi Tilopa.

Further developments were then made by the Tibetans under the name Kadampa. Together, these two led to the formation of the Drukpa Kagyu School. 

As part of the monastery complex, there is the main temple, a stupa of Khamtrul Rinpoche, and a Yamantaka center. In this serene and calm monastery, where monks in colorful robes pray, the atmosphere is serene and calm.

There is a Tibetan colony surrounding the Tashi Jong Monastery. You can detox your soul in this paradise. Do take out some time to visit this beautiful monastery. 

7. Pragpur:

Another yet beautiful tourist place to visit in Kangra is Pragpur. Heritage and history abound in the Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh. The state government certified Pragpur as a Heritage Village in 1997, making it the first in India to be designated as such.

With its roots in the late 16th century and its name originating from Princess Prag Dei of the Jaswan royal family, Pragpur is a heritage village that merits its heritage designation. Featuring cobblestone streets, mud-plastered walls, and slate-roofed heritage houses, this village offers a glimpse into a simpler time, if only for a brief moment. 

A posh resort has been converted from the 300-year-old ancestral home of Vijai and Rani Lal, The Judge’s Court. He is the grandson of Justice Sir Jai Lal, who became the second Indian to serve as a judge on the Punjab High Court.

8. Baglamukhi Temple:

Goddess Bagalamukhi, also known as Maa Pitambari in north India, is worshipped at this temple. Bagalamukhi represents a powerful female primeval force, one of the ten forms of the wise Devi. You will love the anonymity and forget the hectic city life even though the temple is spread out over a large piece of land. Besides spirituality, you will appreciate the structure of the temple which is influenced by Shikhara architecture. 

Based on Shaktism, one of the ten Mahavidyas of the Supreme Goddess is worshipped at this shrine. Many devotees visit the temple in hopes of fulfilling their wishes, winning cases, passing exams, or having a successful and happy life. It is believed that all your wishes are granted after performing Homagni and Yajna at the temple. So if you’re planning to visit Kangra, do stop by this temple, which falls on the Kangra Chandigarh highway. 

9. Baijnath Temple:

The Baijnath temple is located in Baijnath, a small town around 60 km from Kangra. The temple holds high religious importance. It houses one of the 12 holy jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in the country and supporters from all over the country visit this temple to offer prayers to the lord Shiva.

The temple was constructed in 1207 AD by Lord Shiva’s devotees and local merchants Ahuka and Manyuka. The water emerging from the temple is believed to have medicinal powers and it heals people from their illnesses.

Speaking of the architecture it redefines the Nagara style, which is highly caught on in Himachal Pradesh. There’s a Holy shivling inside the temple and the cravings done on the walls depict incidents of Hindu mythology. The temple is surrounded by lush green gardens and it overlooks the mighty snow-clad Dhauladhars. It’s surreal in itself. 

10. Kareri Lake:

Last but not least is the sacred Kareri Lake. It’s a beautiful lake hidden in the Dhauladhars. To reach the lake one has to trek 14 km from the village Kareri, which is around 24 km from Kangra. This trek falls among the most popular treks in Himachal Pradesh.

Now, why should you visit Kareri Lake? Kareri lake trek is more exciting than the lake itself. As you move along the trail you’ll leave the tall trees behind and it gets even more enticing when you look back. Earlier it was one of those places which didn’t see much crowd but as of now more and more travelers are exploring the unexplored, so it’s not the same case now. Nevertheless, it’s a beautiful trek. You can trek with your group of friends, you will create memories to cherish for a lifetime. 

Note- Don’t go alone. Hire a guide for a better experience. 

These 10 tourist places to visit in Kangra will make sure that your vacation is a total thumbs up. So just relax, unwind and breathe! And if you’ve any queries regarding any of the places feel free to contact Dharamshala Guide, we’ll happily assist you!