Kangra Fort

The fort stands on a spur where the Banganga meets the Manjhi, held by the Katoch dynasty whose claimed lineage makes this among the oldest continuously held forts in India. Its wealth came from the Brajeshwari temple below, whose treasury was rich enough that Mahmud of Ghazni sacked it in 1009 and others followed, and the fort itself was besieged repeatedly through Mughal and Sikh periods. An earthquake in 1905 wrecked much of it. What stands is a long gated approach climbing through successive courtyards, ruined temples of stone at the top, and a wide view over the Kangra valley to the Dhauladhar.

What you actually see

• The gated ascent - a series of gates and courtyards climbing the spur.
• The ruined temples - stone shrines at the summit of the fort.
• The earthquake damage - collapsed structures from the 1905 shock.
• The valley view - Kangra spread below with the Dhauladhar behind.

When to go

March to June and September to November; the monsoon in Kangra is very heavy. Mornings are best for the climb and the mountain view. The site is quiet compared with Dharamshala.

Honest expectations

The fort is largely ruined, with the 1905 earthquake having brought down much of it. The climb is steep on uneven stone. Interpretation beyond the audio guide is limited.

Nearby

Masroor temples lie southwest; Dharamshala is north.