Kangra town travel guide

Kangra was the capital of the Katoch kings for centuries. It gave its name to the valley, the district and the famous Kangra school of miniature painting. Most visitors drive past on the way to Dharamshala, which is a shame.

Kangra Fort, high above the meeting of the Banganga and Patal Ganga rivers, is huge and atmospheric. In the bazaar is Mata Brajeshwari Devi, one of the Shakti Peeths, visited by lakhs of devotees every year.

Things to do in Kangra

• Kangra Fort: Ancient fort with the Maharaja Sansar Chand museum at its gate.
• Brajeshwari Devi temple: A Shakti Peeth in the old bazaar, most crowded at Navratri and Makar Sankranti.
• Masroor rock-cut temples: Eighth-century monolithic temples, about 35 km away.
• Kangra Valley Railway: UNESCO-tentative narrow-gauge line; ride a short stretch.
• Kangra tea and miniatures: Local tea shops and painting studios in town.

How to reach Kangra

Gaggal Airport is 10 km away. Kangra Mandir and Kangra stations are on the toy-train line from Pathankot (about 90 km by road).

Best time to visit Kangra

All year. October to March is pleasant and dry, while April to June gets hot in the afternoons.

Where to stay

Kangra has good-value hotels close to the temple, which is ideal for yatris. Dharamshala is 20 km up the road.