Kangra

Very few people who like stillness around such hypnotic places, pick Kareri Lake amongst the other places to visit in Kangra. Emerging from the heart of the Dhaulandhar range, this scintillating lake is one of its creation. The lake freezes in the winters leaving behind a revitalizing breeze. A major magnetism is the trekking experience during which you can partake in activities like Tyrolean Traversing. Although, only experienced people go for this since it is conducted on higher altitudes. It also forms the base for trekking further into this mountain range to Bagga and Rewa until one finally reaches the end point-Guna Devi Temple. You can bow down at the ancient Shiva and Shakti temple by the lake, a devotional place for many.Where exactly: 2 km ahead of Sari Village.

The Brajeshwari Temple is one well-known places to visit in Kangra. A paramount reason why devotees want to visit this temple is that it is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths in the country. The shopping street that leads one up the temple from the parking area is an ecstasy. Dedicated to Goddess Brajeshwari, a form of Durga, this temple holds utmost importance in mythology. The temple that stands today is a re-built version of the original pagoda which had dropped to dust in the 1905 earthquake.Where Exactly: Kangra DevDrop By:- Open all day; closed from 1 pm to 3 pm.

This name does not sound alien to you anymore. If you make it to the top of the peak via its trek routes, you will find what we call “bliss”. The Dhaulandhar Range is the fencing southern range of the mighty Himalayas. With the highest peak being Hanuman Ji Ka Tiba, this is a favourite amongst the many trekking destinations. You have to believe this, the views of this range and from this range is a visual treat. What makes this all the more attractive is that you can make a trip to this location any time in the year. People residing in this area surrender their lives to Goddess Dhaulandhar. You owe this visit to yourself!Where Exactly: 130.0km from Dharamshala.

Masrur, also called Masroor is much famed as the Rock Cut Temple that resembles the sculptures of Ellora. While at Masur, you can stop by at the artificial lake and get some wonderful clicks. This archaeological place was visited by the Pandavas, characters from the epic Mahabharata, who carved out these rock-cut temples that have brought reputation to Masrur.  Where Exactly: 47kms from Dharamshala.

If history is your loved subject, then a visit to the Kangra Art Museum will become your beloved book. It is a warehouse of information about the Tibetan, Buddhist and Kangra’s stories. Every attraction displayed in this museum has been supported by info boards set by them. It has been recorded that the museum is a treasure of about 1500 artefacts that belong to the 5th century until the year today. You have heard about the 1905 earthquake several times, but here is where you can catch glimpses of the same. If time matches, you may find a number of inspired painters and sketch artists camped there to re-create history creatively.Where exactly: Middle of DharamshalaDrop By: 10.00am-1.30pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm (Closed on Mondays)Entry Fee: Rs10 for Indians and Rs50 for Foreign Tourists.

So you may ask, ‘Why to go to a village?’ You have no idea how Malana Village looks down upon Kangra tourist places. This village that is otherwise called the “Village of Taboos” is unbelievably true! The people of this village consider themselves superior to everyone else and claim that they are the nth generation of Alexander the Great. With an excellent parliamentary system of its own, the village is bound by exclusive rules. That doesn’t take away from the fact that it is one of the best sightseeing locations. The Jamdagani Temple is very famous, although outsiders aren’t allowed to touch the walls or their praying space. You do the opposite, and you are an official offender owing them a fine the amount of which equals the expense of the slaughter they do as a sacrifice. This temple holds the shrine of Goddess Renuka Devi. All’s well at a distance!Where Exactly: 222.9km from Dharamshala.

Indrahar Pass is most acclaimed for its trek and the heavenly experience you get in return for it. But once you are on it, you might want to testify that, ‘This is amongst the best places to visit in Kangra.’ The difficulty level of this trek route has been graded between moderate to hard. You should know, that completing this route takes anywhere between 4-5 days. Camps are set up between these routes at nights. Nonetheless, it is sure to be written down as the best investment of time in this lifetime. Although many people have found this trek faintly daunting, none have ever mentioned the slightest regret. You need to be prepared for an unpredictable climate that will surprise you with rains, sunlight, hail storms or snowfall.Where Exactly: Boundary of Kangra and Chamba.

Kangra Valley is just a blend of some of the above-mentioned places. This place is considered an epitome of serenity in Himachal Pradesh. A lot of tourists consider ST Johns Church amongst the best places to visit in Kangra. Some other locations you can visit in the Kangra Valley are the tea garden, the Chamunda Temple and the McLeod Bazaar. The snowy mountains ranges, the treks, and the mountain passes are all put together to make this Valley heaven on Earth. The Norbulingka Institute, The Bhagsunag temple, and the Bhagsu Waterfalls are one of the cherished places in the Kangra Valley.Where Exactly: 4.6km from Dharamshala.