Visit to Kangra Fort

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The Kangra Fort, 30-km from Vayu Kutir, is the largest fort in the Himalayas and probably the oldest dated fort in India. It was built by Rajput rulers of Katoch dynasty which traces its origins to the ancient Trigarta Kingdom, mentioned in the Mahabharata epic.



The Fort is strategically located on rocky high ground at the confluence of the Banganga and Majhi rivers (Beas river tributaries). A narrow road, usually in a shocking state of disrepair, allows access to the fort from the Dharamshala highway.


The rivers surround the fort from three sides.



The fourth side (left) physically links the fort to Old Kangra town.


From its commanding height, the fort overlooks the  Kangra valley with the boulder conglomerate on which it's built serving as natural fortification. The 4-km long wall that rises to 700-ft above the river bed secures the fort.



The current entrance to the fort, built during the period when Kangra was ruled by the Sikhs, is known as (Surprise! Surprise!) - Phatak!


Visitors have to climb nearly 500-ft mostly along the fort wall to reach the fort top.


Besides an army garrison, the fort housed temples and the families of the elite of the ruling dispensation of the period.

Temple and accommodation for the elite at the top of the fort.

The fort is well maintained by ASI and audio tour guides are available at the entrance for a small charge.

There is a must see museum near the entrance of the fort that has artifacts from the surrounding areas dating back many centuries. 

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