Kangra : Rich in Heritage, Culture. Awaits Major Initiative To Tap Tourist Potential

I traveled to Kangra a week back. It was a visit almost after a gap of thirty four year. I could feel lot of subtle changes taken place in between.

I have a very strong emotional bonding with the area as my forefathers had a strong connect with it. Then they migrated to Western UP 150 years back. In old time migration due to natural calamities was a common phenomenon. The area has been prone to earth quake, one major earthquake devastated big part of the Kangra and its most flourishing Tea Gardens some 100 years back.

Brijeshwari Devi, the mother goddess of Nagarkot is our Kuldevi. Our grandfather, father used to pay their respect and regard to her on regular basis, before a marriage or any other auspicious event in the family it was almost mandatory to visit the temple. This was old way of connecting to the roots.

Kangra is the most populous district of Himachal. Dharmshala is the administrative headquarters of the district, only 22 km away from Nagarkot or Kangra the town is popularly known. It is home of Masroor Rock Cut Temple, also known as Himalayan Pyramids . Efforts are on to get them included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Katochs of Kangra are known for having the oldest serving Royal Dynasty in the world. Kangra became a district of British India in 1846, when it was ceded to British India at the conclusion of the First Anglo-Sikh War. The British district included the present-day districts of Kangra, Hamirpur, Kullu, Lahul & Spiti. Historically, Kangra District was part of the old British Province of Punjab. The administrative headquarters of the district were initially at Kangra, but were moved to Dharamshala in the year 1855.

Another interesting thing about Kangra is the temple of Jawala Devi at Jawalamukhi, which is 30 km from Kangra. Apart from being the only temple in India where flames are worshiped, it maintains Hindu genealogy registers. The expert priests can show you your family tree with the efficiency of a computer that is their expertise.

Most of the district in the lower range of Western Himalayas having geographical area of 5,739 km. The altitude of the district ranges from 427 mt to 6401 mt above mean sea level, with the lowest being in the plains areas bordering Gurudaspur district of Punjab in the west and Una and Hamirpur districts to the south, while the highest being amidst the Dhauladhar mountain range which forms the border with Chamba and Kullu districts.

The district has considerable diversity in its soils, physiography, land use patterns and cropping systems. On the basis of the diversity , the area has further been divided into five sub-regions i.e. Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar, Kangra Shivalik, Kangra Valley and Beas Basin.

The Beas is one of the major rivers of Kangra and contributes to the fertility of the land here.

Emerging Trends in Tourism

Dharamshala has emerged as the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile, headed by the H H Dalai Lama. This the reason the town is crowded with HH’s overseas devotees, supporters and admirers. This has created a different kind of ambience, best bakeries, continental eateries and shops selling all kind of firangi stuff. Off late Dharmshala has also entered into Cricket Map of India thus pulling cricket lovers. One can enjoy the best view of the Dhauladhar Range from Dharamshala.

Brajeshwari Devi (Nagarkot), Jawala Devi (Jawala Mukhi), Chamunda Devi (Nagarota) , Chintapurni, Bhagsunag (McLeod Ganj), Bagula Mukhi (Ranital) Mahakal and Shiva temple at Baijnath are the important destinations for pilgrims from all across the country specially from northern states. This religious tourist segment has helped to grow local economies. Luxury Hotels and Multi-cuisine restaurants have flourished at the places of religious importance.

Apart from traditional agriculture certain significant changes are visible. Especially off-season crops and vegetables are now grown in green houses under controlled condition. Results are encouraging, giving better income avenues to the progressive farmers. Farmers are also trying to grow commercial varieties of marigold, carnation, tulip, lilium, gladiolus, chrysanthemum and rose in poly-houses thus adding more income to their kitty.

Tea cultivation plays a vital in the local economy. Tea plantation started in the Kangra Valley 150 year back much before Assam, Neelgiri or Darjeeling. It is famous worldwide for its rich aroma, color and taste. The areas in Palampur and Baijnath are surrounded by lush, green tea estates. Kangra Tea has also received geo-tagging thus making it prime value in world market.



Rich Heritage

Around 32 km from Kangra on Nagrota-Surian Link Road we found another culturally rich Masroor Rock Cut Temple complex. The temple complex is located on a hill and also has a large rectangular water pond.

It is an unique archaeological site. A major part of the famous rock cut temples is presently in ruin condition According to different studies conducted by the experts the temple complex was built in between 8th-9th century AD. These 15 monolithic rock cut temples designed in Indo-Aryan style. The main shrines contain the stone idols of Rama-Laxman and Sita. It is claimed that all these temples are carved out of a single rock.

According to the local myths, the Pandavas spent a long period of time here in this temple premise during their exile. Another story tells about the existence of an incomplete staircase which is found inside the temple. It is said that the staircase was constructed by the Pandavas to reach heaven. They took an oath to finish the construction work by the same day morning. Listening to this Indra, the king of the Gods got tensed as the stairs would make the way to reach heaven easily accessible. So he disguised himself in the form of a crow and crowed loudly before the early dawn. As a result the Pandavas, could not complete the staircase.

Much Needed To Boost Tourism

Despite rich potential for tourism in the region, this sector has not received the required support. Political statements and election promises for the same have been made that the real intent for the same has taken a back seat. Not to talk of the entire state, even a portion of the Kangra Valley can boost the economy of the state to a great extent. This is a strange phenomenon that a state which has a population of only about 75 lakh should not be able to lead the area in prosperity. Kangra district alone has the capacity and bounty of natural resources that the tourism sector can be developed to optimum limits and turned into an international hub.

Though Dharamshala, McLeod Ganj, Palampur, Baijnath, Shobha Singh Art Gallery at Andretta, Kangra Fort, Brajeshwari Temple, Bhagsu Nag springs near McLeod Ganj, Triund and Dharamkot are no doubt the scenic spots in the Kangra valley but there is more to it in religious tourism that needs proper management and adequate infrastructure without disturbing ecological balance.. The state governments from time to time have been talking of promoting tourism, but have failed to do any tangible work in this direction.

Congress has ruled the state for most of the time in the state but did not muster the courage to impress upon the Central governments led by the party to convert the 160-km meter-gauge railway track to broad-gauge from Pathankot in Punjab to Jogindernagar in Mandi, through the expanse of Kangra valley which is from 15 km to 50 km wide with lush green fields and vegetation, across the rustling rivulets and water channels. The rising snow-capped Dhualadhar Himalayan hills keep a watch over the valley from a height of about 15,000 feet. Once it is done, tourist traffic will be smooth.