Kangra Valley

Kangra Valley
An aerial view of Bir in Kangra valley
Floor elevation2,000 ft (610 m)
Geology
TypeRiver Valley
Geography
LocationHimachal Pradesh, India
Population centersBaijnath, Dharamshala, Kangra, McLeodGanj, Palampur, Bhawarna, Sidhbari
Coordinates32°05′11″N 76°15′12″E / 32.08639°N 76.25333°E / 32.08639; 76.25333 
RiversBeas River
Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas from Kangra Valley

Kangra Valley is a river valley situated in the Western Himalayas.[1] It lies in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India, and is a popular tourist destination. The Kangri language is spoken there. Dharamshala, the headquarters of Kangra district and the main city of the valley, lies on the southern spur (lateral ridge) of Dhauladhar.[2]

History

The valley witnessed a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake at 6:19 am on 4 April 1905, as a result of which about 19,800 people were killed and thousands were injured in the Kangra area. Most buildings in towns of Kangra, Mcleodganj and Dharamshala were destroyed.[1][3][4] the Tedha Mandir, in Jawalamukhi is also a victim of Earthquake 1905.[5]

Geography

The valley is filled with numerous perennial streams, which irrigate the valley, and the river Beas flows through this valley. The valley has an average elevation of 2000 ft. Kangra Valley is a strike valley and extends from the foot of the Dhauladhar range to the south of river Beas. The highest peak on the Dhauladhar, White Mountain, marks the boundary between the valley and Chamba, and reaches 15,956 ft (4,863 m). The peaks of the range are approximately 13,000 ft (4,000 m) above the valley floor, rising sharply from its base with no low hills in between.[2]

Climate

Spring in Kangra valley

Most of the valley has a humid subtropical climate (Cwa). Summer starts in early April and peaks in May. From June to mid-September is the monsoon season, when the valley receives very high amounts of rainfall. Autumn is mild and lasts from October to the end of November. Winters are cold and last till late February. Snowfall is common in the hills and higher reaches of the valley during this time. Snow in the lower elevations of the valley is rare, but has been recorded occasionally. Western disturbances cause winter precipitation. Winters are followed by a short, pleasant spring.

Climate data for Dharamshala (1991–2020, extremes 1951–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 24.7
(76.5) 		28.0
(82.4) 		33.4
(92.1) 		36.2
(97.2) 		38.6
(101.5) 		38.6
(101.5) 		42.7
(108.9) 		37.8
(100.0) 		34.8
(94.6) 		34.6
(94.3) 		28.6
(83.5) 		27.2
(81.0) 		42.7
(108.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 16.0
(60.8) 		17.8
(64.0) 		22.5
(72.5) 		26.9
(80.4) 		30.8
(87.4) 		30.9
(87.6) 		27.5
(81.5) 		26.6
(79.9) 		26.8
(80.2) 		25.6
(78.1) 		22.0
(71.6) 		18.4
(65.1) 		24.4
(75.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 5.9
(42.6) 		7.3
(45.1) 		10.7
(51.3) 		14.8
(58.6) 		19.0
(66.2) 		20.5
(68.9) 		19.7
(67.5) 		19.2
(66.6) 		17.8
(64.0) 		14.2
(57.6) 		10.2
(50.4) 		7.1
(44.8) 		13.9
(57.0)
Record low °C (°F) −1.9
(28.6) 		−1.6
(29.1) 		2.4
(36.3) 		7.3
(45.1) 		8.4
(47.1) 		12.6
(54.7) 		14.3
(57.7) 		14.1
(57.4) 		11.2
(52.2) 		8.0
(46.4) 		4.8
(40.6) 		−1.0
(30.2) 		−1.9
(28.6)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 83.6
(3.29) 		128.3
(5.05) 		111.3
(4.38) 		65.7
(2.59) 		72.4
(2.85) 		279.0
(10.98) 		859.0
(33.82) 		942.3
(37.10) 		377.7
(14.87) 		52.6
(2.07) 		18.8
(0.74) 		36.6
(1.44) 		3,027.3
(119.19)
Average rainy days 4.5 6.2 6.1 5.1 4.8 10.7 22.0 23.0 13.9 2.6 1.2 2.2 102.3
Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) 67 67 58 55 50 59 81 85 78 65 64 66 66
Source: India Meteorological Department[6][7][8]


Language

A distinct regional dialect, Kangri, is spoken in Kangra valley.[9]

Important towns

Transport

Road

National highways 154 and 503 are the national highways that pass through the valley, connecting it with other parts of Himachal Pradesh and the neighbouring state of Punjab. Several state highways also connect the valley.

Railway

Main article: Kangra Valley Railway
A train in the Kangra valley

Kangra Valley Railway is a 164 km long narrow gauge railway line that connects the valley with Pathankot, the nearest railhead on 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge railway network.

Airport

Gaggal Airport

Gaggal Airport, alternatively known as Kangra Airport or Dharamsala-Kangra Airport, is an airport located at Gaggal in Kangra Valley. It is located 14 km southwest of Dharamshala.

Tourism

Paragliding in Bir

The main town in the valley and the capital of the district, Dharamshala, is one of the most visited hill stations in Himachal Pradesh and India. It also acts as a base for several Himalayan treks in the Dhauladhars, including Triund which is one of the most famous treks in India. Mcleodganj is the current residence of the Dalai Lama and the centre of Tibetan community in exile in India, and draws tourists from all over the world. Palampur and Dharamshala are also famous for their tea gardens where Kangra tea is grown. Bir is well known for adventure sports, particularly paragliding.

References

  1. ^ a b Earthquakes Archived 28 July 2021 at the Wayback Machine The Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 1, p. 98.
  2. ^ a b Dhaula Dhar Archived 28 July 2021 at the Wayback Machine The Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 11, p. 287.
  3. ^ "Dharamshala Earthquake 1905 – Images". Archived from the original on 27 June 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
  4. ^ History Archived 21 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine Kangra district Official website.
  5. ^ "Temple destroyed by earthquake, Kangra, 1905 | Online Collection | National Army Museum, London". collection.nam.ac.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Station: Dharamshala Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 243–244. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  8. ^ "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M68. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Himachal Pradesh Kangri Language" Archived 4 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine, India Mapped – Languages in India, accessed 18 April 2015

Further reading

  • Hutchinson, J. & J. PH Vogel (1933). History of the Panjab Hill States, Vol. I. 1st edition: Govt. Printing, Punjab, Lahore, 1933. Reprint 2000. Department of Language and Culture, Himachal Pradesh. Chapter IV Kangra State, pp. 98–198.
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