Leisure Tourism in Kangra District Kangra Art Museum This treasure trove of the Kangra valley's arts, crafts and rich past, display artifacts that date back to the 5th Century. It includes a gallery of famous paintings and a huge collection of sculptures, pottery and anthropological items. Shamiyanas and local dresses used by local royalty, old carved doors, etc. are also on display. Coins, jewelleries and manuscripts are also displayed here. A section houses the works of contemporary artists, sculptures and photographers Martyr's Memorial Set amidst beautiful surroundings, this memorial was built in 1972, near the entry point to Dharamshala. The war memorial was built to commemorate the memory of the soldiers and officers of Kangra District who sacrificed their lives for the country. Features of the memorial are its three curved walls in black marble each 20 feet long and 24 feet high bearing the names of 1042 martyrs on five of its faces with a wall painting on the sixth. Rising from a circular shallow pool having a central bowl and 21 water jets, these walls signify the three wings of the 'Armed Forces'. Their curved shape indicates the continuity and onward movement of human and national life. On selected evenings in a week, the monument is flood lit and the fountains burst forth in full splendour. The entire area looks like a wonderland. Mural at Martyr's Memorial symbolizes the flame of National Freedom. A stout arm is holding the flame aloft, showing how the brave soldiers of the country are making determined efforts to keep it ever high and ever burning and in doing so they are achieving martyrdom. The garlands and medals around them represent Nation's gratitude to them. In nutshell, the mural depicts how the martyrs are upholding the freedom of their Motherland by sacrificing their lives so that their countrymen may be able to live freely. Kangra Fort The historic fort of Kangra was built by Bhuma Chand the founder of the Katoch Dynasty. This fort had been the centre of attraction for the rulers of Northern India. Since long time the first attack on the fort was made by Raja of Kashmir in 470 AD. In 1009 Mahmud of Ghazni attacked the Kangra Fort. In 1337 Muhammad Bin Tughlaq and in 1357 Firoz Shah Tughlaq captured the Kangra Fort. In 1540 the fort was captured by Khan Jahan a commander of Sher Shah Suri. In 1620 Jahangir occupied the Kangra Fort. In 1781 it came under the control of Jassa Singh Kanhaya. In 1786 Maharaja Sansar Chand took control of the fort. In 1846 the Kangra Fort fell into the hands of the British. The Fort is located on the Banks of the River Ban Ganga. In the foreyard of the fort are the temples of Laxmi Narayan and Adinath. Inside the Fort are two ponds one of them is called Kapoor Sagar. At present the fort is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India. It was badly damaged in the 1905 earthquake. Nature Tourism in Kangra District Triund Peaks For adventurous people nothing can be more enjoyable than a 9 kms climb from McLeod Ganj to Triund located at a height of 2,827 metres above sea level. Here one gets a face to face view of towering snowclad Dhaula Dhar. It also offers a spell-bounding view of the hills and valleys below. In spring the hill slopes of the path leading from McLeod Ganj to Triund become even more beautiful. The spot is ideal for adventure lovers. Kareri Lake Located at a distance of 33 km from Dharamshala and at an altitude of 1,983 metres above the sea level, Kareri village is set amidst beautiful settings. 13 km from here there is the impressive Kareri lake 3,048 metres above the sea level amidst green meadows, oak and pine trees making it an idyllic spot to visit. Dal Lake 11 kilometers above Dharamshala and next to the Tibetan Children Village is a miniature oval-shaped artificial lake called Dal Lake. Though small in area, this lake has a charm of its own solely due to its surrounding forest and hills. Taking a dip in the lake is considered sacred. Devotees believe that a bath in the lake fulfills all wishes. Dharamkot 1 km above McLeod Ganj a village called Dharamkot inhabited by Gaddi tribe nestles amidst scenic beauty at 2,100 metres above the sea level. Besides offering a panoramic view of the Dhaula Dhar range of mountains, Kangra valley and the Pong Dam, the village once had a gallery of paintings of a well-known English painter 'A.W.Hallot'. Today Dharamkot is a favourite picnic spot. Naddi At 2,000 metres above the sea level and about two kilometres from Mcleod Ganj, a modern picnic spot is developing fast at Naddi. It is connected with proper roadways with all the other major cities. It is the only place in Dharamshala from where an open view of mountains and wide valleys on Dhaula Dhar's southern side can be seen. It is also a starting point for a trek to Kareri Lake, Guna Devi Temple and Triund. McLeod Ganj Viewed from Mcleod Ganj, the Kangra valley sprawls below as far as the eye can see. It has a delightful mixture of eastern, western and Buddhist cultures, reflected in the people, in the shrines of worship and in its very name. Waterfall at Bhagsu Nag 2 kms away from McLeod Ganj is an ancient temple of Bhagsu Nag. About 1 km from there is a small but lovely waterfall closed to the temple, which is enough to sooth one's eyes and mind. Above the waterfall, the mountain side has a lot of slate quarries. It is a perfect site for picnics and recreation. St. John Church in McLeod Ganj 7 kms upward from Dharamshala, between Forsyth Ganj and Mcleod Ganj lies the appealing St. John's Church built with dressed stone and having beautiful stained glass windows. The church is small in size and was built in 1852 in Gothic style. Maharana Pratap Lake This beautiful reservoir also known as the Pong Dam plays host to a wide variety of water sports like sailing, water skiing, rowing, etc. This reservoir is situated at a height of about 450 metres, covering an area of about 45,000 hectares. This place is now a wildlife sanctuary with over 200 species of migratory birds having been spotted in and around the reservoir. This place is an ideal spot for the adventurous tourists. Gopalpur Zoo Lying on Dharamshala-Palampur road, wildlife department of Himachal Pradesh Government has established a zoo at Gopalpur spread over 12.5 hectares of thick forest area. Visitors can explore diverse animals in this zoo. Art Gallery, tea gardens, Nurpur Fort, Masrur Temple and Manuni Lake are some other tourist spots of Kangra District. |