|
 |
| Dhogries |
| The Dhogries reside
mainly in the foot hills of the Dhauladhar range.
Traditionally, they are a community mainly involved
in wood cutting. In the recent times most have them
have taken to other professions. Their women and
men have taken to tea plucking since the end of
the 18th century. These hill people are honest and
friendly and welcome the visitors with a smile. |
 |
| Temple of Vajreshwari
Devi - Kangra |
The ancient city
of Kangra is famous for its Temple of Vejreshwari
Devi.
Held in high esteem by worshippers of "Shakti"
the supreme power of God, it
draws pilgrims from all parts of India. Repeatedly
destroyed by invaders,
the temple was as speedily re-built by the rulers
of Kangra. It was
plundered by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1009 but was
rebuilt in 1043. In 1337 it
was razed to the ground by Mohammed Tughlak but
it was re-built in 1440. IN
1540 it was destroyed again but emperor Akbar
had it rebuilt.Marked the
occasion by presentation of a gold umbrella to
the temple in honour of the
DEVI. In 1905, it was flattened by an earthquake,
but rose again
phoenix-like in 1920.
|
 |
| Kangra Valley |
The Kangra Valley
with its terraced fields tilted on hill-sides,
its snow-fed streams, sparkling water, charming
hamlets, wheat and mustard fields flashing below
the snow line has a mellow beauty that fills the
onlooker with a sense of peace and tranquility.
The famous Kangra Fort
was once the "seat of power" of the
Kangra Rajas. It is claimed by some that this
fort was built by an ancestor of the Katoch Rajas
- His name was Susarman and he fought on the side
of the Kauravas in the Battle of Mahabharata.
Overlooking the Bonganga and the Baner rivers
the fort still dominates the valley and gives
an impression of impregnability though Time has
taken a heavy toll of its crannied walls and crumbling
bastions.
|
| Dharamsala
: 40 km, altitude 1250 –1980 meters
. Dharamsala is surrounded by forests of cheel pine,
rhododendron and Himalayan oak . Mecleodganj
48 kms from Dharamsala is the present seat
of His Holiness the Dali Lama. He along with
his followers settled here since since 1960 after
the Chinese invasion in Oct´1959; Places to
visit are, the church of St
John-in-the wilderness, Dharmkot(3 kms),
Naddi Village(4 and half
Km) Bhagsunag (2 km)
Namgyal Monastery and the Kangra
Art Museum |
|
