Kangra Fort

Kangra Fort:

Introduction:
Kangra fort is the largest fort in the Himalayas and probably the oldest dated fort in India.The fort was built by the founder of Katoch Dynasty, Bhuma Chand. The fort is also known by other names, Nagarkot and Kot Kangra. The fort is built at the sangam of two rivers Banganga and Majhi rivers in the beigning of kangra town popularly known as "Purana Kangra".

History of Kangra Fort :
In AD 1009, the fort of Kangra was taken by the Mahmud of Ghazni.Muhammad bin Tughluq captured it in 1337 and again by his successor,Firuz Shah Tughluq in the year 1351.
Raja Sansar Chand-II succeeded in recovering the ancient fort of his ancestors, in 1789 after the decline of Mughal power. He surrender Kangra Fort in 1809 to Maharaja Ranjit Singh of punjab. The fort was in the control of Maharaja Ranjit Singh upto 1846, after that it was overtaken by British Government.

Places to see inside the fort:

1. Temples: Followings are the temples inside the fort:

a). Lakshmi Narayan Mandir

b). Shaitala Mandir

c). Ambika Devi Temple

2. Darwazas (Doors): There are various Darwazas made by its conquerors

a) Ranjit Singh Darwaza

b) Jahangiri Darwaza

c) Ahni and Amiri Darwazas

d) Andheri Darwaza

3. Other Places:
a) Museums
b) Sheesh Mahal

How to reach:

By air: The nearest domestic Airport is Gaggal, Kangra about 15km from Kangra. Direct flight is available from Delhi to Gaggal Airport.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Kangra Railway station connected to Pathankot through narrow gauge line.

By Road: It is easily accessible from Kangra (6 km), Dharamshala (17 km) and other cities of Himachal Pradesh via road.From all these places, private taxis and state transport buses are available


Best Time to visit: Throughout the year.