Kangra, also known as Dev Bhoomi, is the largest region in the beautiful Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It’s one of the wealthiest places across the country in terms of tourism, all thanks to its picturesque beauty. In fact, the mountains and the greenery aren’t all that Kangra is loved for.
It has an age-long history to tell. The Katoch Dynasty, which the world considers to be one of the oldest thriving civilizations, flourished here. This dynasty left behind a lot of temples in Kangra . Let’s explore these temples and have a closer look at some of the best temples to visit in the valley of Gods.
9 Amazing Temples In Kangra
The temples in Kangra will bring you peace and solace and after a much needed break away from the chaos of urban jungle. For an amazing getaway and to feel spiritually charged, visit these shrines. Read on to know all about the famous temples in Kangra:
- Brijeshwari Temple – With A Legendary Story
- Jwalamukhi Temple – A Magical Shrine
- Baijnath Temple – A Popular Temple
- Chamunda Devi Temple – With A Myth
- Masroor Temple – Rock-Cut Architecture
- Bhagsu Nag Temple – Dedicated To Local God
- Bagalamukhi Temple – A Powerful Place
- Ashapuri Temple – Inside A Fort
- Bathu Temple – A Unique One
1. Brijeshwari Temple – With A Legendary Story
Image Credit – Varun for Wikimedia
The Brijeshwari Temple is a world known as Shakti Peeth, located in the town of Nagarkot. The Hindu mythology says that Lord Shiva performed tandava with the burning body of his beloved wife on his shoulder, Goddess Sati, who set herself on fire.
In order to stop an angry and melancholic Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu divided Goddess Sati’s body into 51 parts, with each part falling on different parts of the world and forming a Shaktipeeth. The left breast of the burning Goddess Sati fell on the land where the breathtaking Brijeshwari Temple stands today, making it one of the most visited pilgrim spots in India. Based on this, it becomes one of the top temples in Himachal Pradesh.
Timings: 05:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Address: Mandir Road, New Kangra, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh 176001
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2. Jwalamukhi Temple – A Magical Shrine
Image Credit – Mani for Wikimedia
The Jwala Devi or the Jwalamukhi Temple has an element of magic and, of course, an unshakable faith of the devotees. A flame burns eternally inside the temple, which is considered to be a symbol of nature’s love and devotion to the ultimate manifestation of powers, Goddess Durga. This serves as a great tourist attraction. Hence, the temple is flooded with tourists all year long.
Timings: Open on all days of the week from 5 am to 12 pm, and from 4 pm to 8 pm
Address: Jawala Ji Temple Road, Jwalamukhi 176031, India
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3. Baijnath Temple – A Popular Temple
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
The Baijnath Temple is a splendid example of the ancient style of architecture, known as ‘Nagara.’ It is believed that Lord Shiva still resides in the Svayambhu form of the Shivling. The temple has been worshiped since 1204 A.D. For that reason, the Baijnath Temple is one of the most culturally rich temples in Kangra.
Timings: 6 AM – 9 PM
Address: Temple Path, Dharer, Baijnath, Himachal Pradesh 176125
Suggested Read: 10 Exciting Things To Do In Kangra That Are Sure To Leave You Wonderstruck
4. Chamunda Devi Temple – With A Myth
Image Credit – Er.ankushgarg for Wikimedia
The majestic Chamunda Devi has a beautiful story behind its construction. Some 400 years back, a priest saw Chamunda Devi in his dreams, telling him to dig a certain spot where he would find her idol and place it somewhere people could easily reach. People couldn’t find the old temple accessible.
The next day, the priest sent some men to dig up and carry the idol to the said spot. The men found the idol but couldn’t lift it. The priest saw Chamunda Devi in his dreams again. She instructed him to raise the idol himself as he had been chosen to do the task. So, the priest went, and he could easily lift up the statue and place it in the temple. Ever since then, the new idol is worshipped as Goddess Durga’s form.
Timings: All the days of the week, from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Address: Chamunda Temple Path, Padar, Palampur, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, 176052, India
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5. Masroor Temple – Rock-Cut Architecture
The Masroor temple is a genius example of the monolithic rock-cut temple. This temple fills the tourists with awe. The reason being it’s impeccable style of architecture. It also happens to be situated on the top of a hill, making it more of an adventurous spot than a place of worship. It’s very different from the other famous Kangra temples.
Timings: All the days of the week, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Address: Masroor, Lahalpur, Himachal Pradesh 176026
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6. Bhagsu Nag Temple – Dedicated To Local God
Image Credit – Ashish for Wikimedia
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
The Bhagsu Nag Temple is about 5100 years old, and a waterfall flows free by its side. It’s one of the oldest temples in Kangra. A “Dharmashila” existed in the temple. This birthed the name for the famous holiday spot “Dharamsala.”
Timings: All the days of the week
5:00 AM – 12:00 PM
4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Address: Bhagsu Nath, McLeod Ganj, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, 176219, India
Suggested Read: 6 Beautiful Resorts Near Dharamshala Where You Can Have A Comfortable Stay
7. Bagalamukhi Temple – A Powerful Place
Image Credit – Nabin for Wikimedia
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
Ma Bagalamukhi Temple is another Shaktipeeth in Kangra. Here, both sadhana and siddhi poojas take place. Ma Bagalamukhi or Ma Pitambari is one of the ten mahavidyas, according to Hindu mythology. She protects her devotees from all sorts of evils and mishaps. This is one of the most powerful temples of Kangra.
Timings: 6.00 AM to 10.00 PM
Address: Bankhandi Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh 177114 India
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8. Ashapuri Temple – Inside A Fort
Image Credit – Dhimant for Wikimedia
The Ashapuri Temple is located at a height of 5,000 feet from the mean sea level. There is an old legend that has popularized the temple wherein the locals believe that during the attack of Mughals on the temple, it was defended by wasps. The temple is known to be built by the Pandava during their forced exile.
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Address: Ashapuri, Himachal Pradesh – 176094
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9. Bathu Temple – A Unique One
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
The thing that makes Bathu temple in Kangra is that it is a cluster of 8 antique temples that stay dipped in water for 8 long months, from July to February. You can visit them only during the month of March to June. The temple has managed to keep its stone structure intact and retained its natural color from the time of its construction. You will find stone images of Lord Ganesha on one side and Mother Kali on the other side of the entrance.
Timings: Open 24 hours
Address: SH27, Jagnoli, Himachal Pradesh 176025
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How To Reach Kangra?
By air: The Gaggal airport is the nearest airport to Kangra. The Kangra town is situated at a distance of about 11 kilometers from the airport. It can be reached from almost any airport from the country. Once you’ve arrived here, you can find taxis and auto-rickshaws outside the airport to take you to your hotel or the famous temples in the Kangra valley.
By train: The Pathankot railway station is the nearest railway station to Kangra. It lies at a distance of 87 kilometers from Kangra. The best way to reach Kangra from the Pathankot railway station is by taxi.
By road: The time taken to travel on the road varies due to certain factors. Below is a list of the distance of major Indian cities to Kangra. Besides, the time taken to travel on the road is also mentioned. So, you can figure out what caters to your needs.
Route Name Distance Time
Chandigarh to Kangra 226 km 4.5 hours
Delhi to Kangra 455 km 8 hours
Amritsar to Kangra 203 km 4 hours
Gurgaon to Kangra 492 km 9 hours
Shimla to Kangra 218 km 6 hours
Manali to Kangra 235 km 6.5 hours
Mumbai to Kangra 1,875 km 30 hours
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Kangra is as much a holiday destination as any other hill station. There are hills, rivers, mountains, and, of course, the magnificent temples in Kangra that are sure to drench you in positivity. So, take some days off and let yourself soak in the divinity by planning a trip to Himachal Pradesh and visiting these stunning sites in Kangra.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Temples In Kangra
How many days are enough to see Kangra?
4 to 5 days are enough to check out all the famous Kangra temples. If you are looking for some adventure too, consider staying here for a week for the treks and the wild trails.
How is the weather in Kangra?
Months from September to June are the best. January is the coldest month in Kangra.
Does Kangra have proper roads?
Yes. One would love to hit the roads in Kangra. They are clean, smooth, and free of holes.
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