An Overview of Himachal Pradesh , Tourist places Of Kangra Part - VIII -
1.Mata Baglamukhi Temple Bankhandi district Kangra :-
Mata Baglamukhi Temple Bankhandi district Kangra :-
One another historical temple which is about 25 Km from Jawalamukhi Mata temple and 13 Km from Dehra Gopipur town is Mata Baglamukhi Temple which is situated near Bankhandi village on Chandigarh Una Chintpurni Dehra Kangra Dharamshala
road .
This temple is established by Pandavas during their exile . Bheema and Arjun worshipped Mata Baglamukhi to attain powers and obtain their kingdom . Baglamukhi is is a sidhpeeth and also called Shree 1008 Baglamukhi Temple Bankhandi .
Those who do rituals Havana with faith and devotion in Baglamukhi temple their wishes got fulfilled by Goddess Baglamukhi . Ravana had done Baglamukhi sadhana to win triloki , Bhagwan Shree Ram had also done Baglamukhi sadhana before expedition on Lanka .
In Kangra Bankhandi Baglamukhi Temple ,our Prime Minister smt. Indira Gandhi had also come to offer prayers and to seek blessings of Maa Baglamukhi in 1977 when she lost the general election . Maa Baglamukhi is such a power which gives peace , prosperity , happiness and victory in every field if prayed with true heartedly.
Smt. Indira Gandhi again came into power in 1980. President of India Late Shri Pranab Mukherjee had also come to Baglamukhi Temple Bankhandi to get blessings of Maa Baglamukhi .
2.Kangra Fort :-
Kangra Fort also called Nagarkot fort in ancient times is an important tourist place which is standing from centuries and speaking the history of Nagarkot .
Kangra Fort
Kangra Fort is centrally protected Monument under Archeological survey of India [ ASI ]. Kangra Fort had suffered damages in the 1905 earthquake .
Kangra Fort was built by Rajas of Katoch dynasty and they had proved themselves the descendants of King Shusharma who had favoured Kauravas in Mahabharata battle. Traditionally the Kangra fort is said to be founded by King Shusharma the 234 th . King of the dynasty.
The Kangra fort is located about 20 Km from town of Dharamshala district headquarters in the outskirts of Kangra town . It is about 4Km from Bus stand through National Highway 503 , the facility of auto three wheeler and private taxi services is available to reach the Fort .
Kangra Fort is the largest fort in Himalayas and probably the oldest fort in India . Kangra Fort had faced many attacks of Mughals . It is believed that Mughal Empror Shahjahan Akbar attempted 52 sieges on Kangra Fort but couldn't succeeded in his life time and finally his son Empror Jahangir succeeded and captured the Kangra fort in 1620 CE after 14 months siege with the help of Raja Suraj Mal of Nurpur . He built a Mosque in the fort and also built a Gate called Jahangiri Gate .
At present this historical monument is in ruined conditions which some time was Glory of Katoch dynasty . Visitors at present visit this historical monument in large numbers .
3. Brajeshwari Temple Kangra :-
Brajeshwari Temple Kangra
Brajeshwari Temple Kangra is one another historical temple dedicated to Devi Brajeshwari which is one Shakti peeth among 51 Shakti peeths of Bhagwati Adi Shakti Mata Durga situated in Kangra town . Devotees all over India visit this temple and during Navratri specially huge crowd is experienced to offer prayers and take blessings of Mata Brajeshwari Devi .
4.Banganga the tributary of Beas river :-
Banganga is a tributary of Beas river which flows through Kangra valley . It is also a tourist place , lacs of pilgrims take dip in the holy waters of Banganga river when they are on trip to Kangra temple .
Panoramic view of Banganga river
The Banganga originated from the southern slopes of Dhauladhar ranges and flows in the outskirts of Kangra town .You can experience it's cool water when coming from Jawalamukhi to Kangra as it just flows adjoining to Kangra .
5. Gagal Airport [Kangra Airport ] :-
Kangra airport is a regional airport situated on Mandi Pathankot National Highway 154 at a distance of about 12 Km from Kangra near Gagal village at an altitude of 770 metres above mean sea level .
Kangra Airport
6. Shree Kangra Shwetambar Jain Thirth Temple :-
This ancient temple is situated in the old Kangra Fort . The Idol of first Tirthankar Bhagwan Adinath is present in a small temple in the fort which is 5000 years old . Adjoining to Bhagwan Adinath temple , Maa Ambika temple is also existing , who is Kuldevi of Katoch dynasty . In the month of Phalgun a fair is held in this temples and devotees offer their prayers and take blessings of Bhagwan Adinath and Maa Ambika .
Even today this temple is a centre of faith among Jain community .
7. Masrur Rock Cut Temples district Kangra :-
Masrur Rock Cut Temples district Kangra Himachal Pradesh.
Masrur Rock Cut Temples are situated in village Masrur in district Kangra on Ranital Lunj Highway at a distance of about 22 Km from Ranital at an altitude of about 772.66 metres above mean sea level .
Masrur Rock Cut Temples
From Delhi it is about 460 Km and from Dharamshala it is about 45 Km away .To reach Masrur Rock Cut Temples we can choose either Chandigarh Bilaspur Ghumarwin Hamirpur Nadaun Jawalamukhi Ranital Lunj Highway or Chandigarh Nangal Una Chintpurni Dehra Ranital Lunj Highway. Both the roads Ara in good condition .
Nagar style architecture of Masrur temples
The Masrur Rock Cut Temples are also known as Alora temples of Himachal Pradesh .
The Masrur Rock Cut Temples are also centrally protected Monument under Archeological survey of India . These temples are made by cutting a large rock . These temples are built in Nagar style architecture in 8th century facing towards Dhauladhar mountain range.
There is a lake adjoining to these temples having fishes in it . People feed them . To visit this site is an entry ticket amounting Rs. 20/- per adult .
Masrur temples Kangra Himachal Pradesh.
The site is very beautiful , temples are having idols of Lord Vishnu , Shiva , Devi and Rama , Mata Sita and Lakshman carved in stone . It also one of the oldest sites in India . When ever you plan a trip to Kangra must visit these tourist destinations .