Kangra District is a district in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is Himachal Pradeshs most inhabited district. The administrative headquarters of the district is located in Dharamsala. On the southern part of the Himalayas escarpment, the district is situated. The diverse heights of the mountains ranges of Shivaliks, Dhauladhar and the Himalayas dominate the complete terrain of the district, from the north-west direction to south-east. 500 meters to 5000 meters is the elevation range of the district. The districts of Chamba, Lahaul and Spiti encircle the district in the north direction, Hamirpur and Una does in the south direction, while the district of Gurdaspur of state of Punjab surrounds Kangra in the west.

The Government of Himachal Pradesh restructured the districts on 1st September. As a result of this restructuring, the existing day Kangra district was created. On 1st November, 1966, this district, which was a part of the composite Punjab, was acceded into the state of Himachal Pradesh. When it was a section of Punjab, it was considered to be the largest area occupying district. Nurpur, Kangra, Palampur, Dehragopipur, Hamirpur and Una were the 6 tehsils of the district. Till 1962, it consisted of yet another tehsil called Kullu. In 1960, a distinct district of Lahaul & Spiti was created by taking out their areas from Kangra, of which they were a part. On 1st November, 1966, the restructuring of composite Punjab took place. As a consequence, the relocation of the district of Kangra in addition to districts of Shimla, Kullu and Lahaul and Spiti and tehsils of Una and Nalagarh and three villages of district of Gurdaspur took place.

The Kangra town was formerly known as Nagarkot. The name of Kangra town was taken and thus the Kangra District came into being. The region lying in between the Shatadroo and Ravi Rivers constituted the age old Trigarta. Initially Kangra proper was a constituent of this archaic Trigarta. Sirhind in Punjab is most likely the territiory lying to the east of river Sutlej. A section of Trigarta constituted of this region. Two provinces, out of which one was located in the plains, with Jullundur as its headquarters and the second was in the hills, having Nagrkot as its administrative headquarters, constituted Trigarta.

Kangra History

All over the world, Kanga is identified for the place having the most acient Royal Dynasty serving it. In 1846, following the completion of the First Anglo-Sikh War, the district of Kangra was taken into the British India and thus became a district in the British Raj. The existing day Kangra, Hamirpur, Kullu, and Lahul and Spiti were the British districts. British Province of Punjab included the Kangra District in it. Kangra was the original headquarters of the district. Later in 1855, Dharamsala was made the headquarters. On 4th April, 1905, much destruction was caused by an earthquake.

The province of Punjab was divided into two portions following the Independence of India, in 1947. The sections were divided amongst India and Pakistan. Out the two divisions the eastern section, of which Kangra was a part, was included into Punjab, state of India. In 1960, a distinct district of Lahaul and Spiti came into existence. In 1962, Kulla came to be a separate district. Himachal Pradesh included in itself the districts of Kangra and Una in 1966. In 1971, the State of Himachal Pradesh came to be Indias union territory and a State of India. In 1972, the Hamirpur District was taken out from the district of Kangra. A significant portion of Kagra district was the Twin Township and riyasat of Haripur-Guler. This township was responsible for providing shelter to the people in Mughal Period. It also supported them for creating renowned Guler Paintings. One of the most significant locations in the region of Kangra from the past, is the ancient village of Pragpur.

Kangra Climate

The terrain of the district of Kangra has places located in varied altitudes. For example, place like Milawan is place at an elevation of 400 meter, whereas as at a height of 5500 meters areas like Bara Bhangal is located. The sub-humid-tropical zone constitutes the Indora block of the district of Kangra. 1000 mm is the annual rainfall here. The average temperature stays at 24 degree Celsius. The humid sub-tropical zone is composed of the Dehragopipur and Nurpur blocks. Here, from 900 to 2350 mm, the annual rainfall ranges. The average temperature ranges from 2 degree Celsius to 24 degree Celsius. The wet temperate zone is composed of Palampur and Dharamsala. Here the temperature varies within 15 to 19 degree Celsius. 2500 mm is the average annual precipitation. In Himachal Pradesh, the wettest place is Dharamsala. The hill area is composed of the other portions of Kangra District. Here, 13 to 20 degree Celsius is the usual temperature range. 1800-3000 mm is the mean annual rainfall.
 
The middle of December sees the beginning of the winter. It lasts till mid-February. During the winter months the temperature stays within 0 to 20 degree Celsius. Rainfall during this period is due to the winds. In the month of April, the summer begins and continues till June. The climate becomes hot and arid. The temperature varies from 25 degree Celsius to 38 degree Celsius. After the summer, the wet monsoon commences. This goes on till autumn. Due to the presence of pine trees, the weather in this region stays pleasantly cool and relaxing, particularly close to the chamunda ji sub region. Taking down of green trees are occurring by people, putting forward the reason for this as development and progress of the area. However if this goes on like this, the peaceful and calm atmosphere of the place will get destroyed. The main focus should be on the plantation of more and more trees and to protect the already existing trees.

Kangra Tourism

One of the beautiful and scenic valleys of the lower Himalayan region is the Kangra Valley. The Dhauladhar mountain range encircles the valley in a safe manner. The valley is beautiful with lush greeneries. The district has a marvelous diverse variety of places from visiting point of view. The aura of Buddhism prevails in Dharamsala on one hand. On the other hand, numerous archaic Hindu Temple namely Bajreshwari Devi, Chamunda Devi, Baijnath Shiv temple and Jwala Devi ji are situated all over the place. The Kangra Valleys past goes back to as much as 3500 years before, during the time of Vedic era. Many invaders invaded the region consecutively. The last invasion was by the British rule. The numerous little states were under the authority of British princes. The arts and crafts of the area kept on progressing and improving, which were later expressed with the help of lyrics and words, regardless of the many attacks and political disturbances. All over the world, this regions finely designed shawls and minute paintings are respected and valued.
 
Tourist places in Kangra
Dal Lake
Pong Dam
Kangra
Dharamshala
Palampur
Dehra-Gopipur
Baijnath