Kangra Valley

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Kangra Valley
An aerial view of Bir, Kangra valley sights nature culture Himachal Pradesh India 2015.jpg
An aerial view of Bir in Kangra valley
Floor elevation2,000 ft (610 m)
Geology
TypeRiver Valley
Geography
LocationHimachal Pradesh, India
Population centersBaijnath, Dharamshala, Kangra, McLeodGanj, Palampur, Bhawarna, Sidhbari
Coordinates32°10′N 76°30′E / 32.167°N 76.500°E / 32.167; 76.500Coordinates: 32°10′N 76°30′E / 32.167°N 76.500°E / 32.167; 76.500
RiversBeas River
Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas from Kangra Valley

Kangra Valley is situated in the Western Himalayas.[1] Administratively, it predominantly lies in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. It is a popular tourist destination, with the peak season around March and April. The Kangri dialect is spoken there. Dharamshala, the headquarters of Kangra district, lies on the southern spur of Dhauladhar in the valley.[2] It is home of Masroor Rock Cut Temple, also known as "Himalayan Pyramids", a possible contender for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Geography[]

The valley is filled with numerous perennial streams, which irrigate the valley, and the river Beas flows through this valley. The valley has an average elevation of 2000 ft. Kangra Valley is a strike valley and extends from the foot of the Dhauladhar range to the south of river Beas. The highest peak on the Dhauladhar, White Mountain, marks the boundary between the valley and Chamba, and reaches 15,956 feet (4,863 m). The peaks of the range are approximately 13,000 feet (4,000 m) above the valley floor, rising sharply from its base with no low hills in between.[2]

Language[]

A distinct regional dialect, Kangri, is spoken in Kangra valley.[3]

Important towns[]

The cantonment town of Yol is located at 32.17°N 76.2°E in Kangra district. It has an average elevation of 1,221 m (4,006 ft).

Transport[]

Road[]

The valley is reached by roads from other parts of Himachal Pradesh.

Railway[]

Kangra Valley Railway is a 164 km long narrow gauge railway line that connects the valley with Pathankot, the nearest railhead on 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge railway network.

Airport[]

Gaggal Airport, alternatively known as Kangra Airport or Dharamsala-Kangra Airport, is an airport located in Gaggal near Kangra in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, 14 Kilometres South-West of Dharamshala.

Nearby tourist attractions[]

  1. McLeod Ganj is a settlement located at around 27 km from Kangra and the official residence of the Dalai Lama.
  2. Triund trek is one of the famous trekking route in India
  3. Balh valley trek - this one is hidden place which is hardly visited by tourist.
  4. The Nawala festival & Harayali festival in Kangra

1905 earthquake[]

The valley witnessed a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake at 6:19 am on 4 April 1905, as a result of which about 19,800 people were killed and thousands were injured in the Kangra area. Most buildings in towns of Kangra, Mcleodganj and Dharamshala were destroyed.[1][4][5]

References[]

Further reading[]

  • Hutchinson, J. & J. PH Vogel (1933). History of the Panjab Hill States, Vol. I. 1st edition: Govt. Printing, Punjab, Lahore, 1933. Reprint 2000. Department of Language and Culture, Himachal Pradesh. Chapter IV Kangra State, pp. 98–198.

External links[]

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