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WHAT TO SEE
KANGRA TOWN:
At
the confluence of the Bener and Majhi streams , over looking the Ban
Ganga torrent, Kangra town is famous for its temples.Notable is the
shrine dedicated to goddess Bajreshwari. Kangra is steeped in history
and its ruined fort - Nagarkot, stands as testimony to its glorious
past. The town was attacked by Mohammed Ghaznavi and subjugated by
Emperor Feroz Tuglak and Maharaja Rant Singh. Earlier, Kangra was the
capital of the great hill state, its renowned ruler being Maharaja
Sansar Chand Katoch, a great patron of arts. The Miniature and Rajpur
Schools of hill paintings flourished during his reign.
BAJRESHWARI DEVI TEMPLE:
In
the middle of the town is the temple dedicated to Bajreshwari Devi.
Known once for its legendary wealth, this temple was subject to
successive depredation by invaders from the North. Mohammed of Ghazni is
known to have departed with a king's ransom in gold, silver and jewels
in 1009. Destroyed completely in 1905 by an earthquake, it was rebuilt
in 1920.
KANGRA FORT:
The
remains of the fort of the rulers of Kangra are located on a strategic
height, overlooking the Ban Ganga and Manjhi rivers. The historical
Kangra Fort is 3 Kms from the Kangra Town.
MAHARANA PRATAP SAGAR:
At an
altitude of 450 metres above sea level, 32 degree north and 76 degrees
east. In district Kangra 170 k.m. from Chandigarh, 110 k.m. from
Amritsar, 55 k.m. from headquarters at Dharamshala. The closest railway
stations are at Mukerian 30 k.m., and Pathankot at 32 k.m. The
settlements of Nagrota Surian and Jawali-which are located on the
sagar's periphery-are connected by the charming narrow gauge Kangra
railway line that connects Pathankot to Jogindernagar. The closest
airport is Gaggal 40 k.m. The lake is well served by a network of roads.
Named in honour of the great patriot Maharana Pratap (1572-97 AD).
Maharana Pratap struggled valiantly for freedom of Mewar-as for the
principle of independence. In words of chroniclers James Tod and william
Crook, "He spurned every overture that had submission for its basis".
Over the river Beas, the Pong dam was completed in 1976. Its reservoir
covers an area of about 45000 hectares at maximum possible flooding.The
level varies every season and averages around 30000 hectares. Over 200
villages with a population of over 85000 people lie along the wetland.
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