Kangra Valley
Kangra Valley is a river valley situated in the Western Himalayas. 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 of Dhauladhar.
File:Kangra.jpg|left|thumb|Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas from Kangra Valley
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. the Tedha Mandir, in Jawalamukhi is also a victim of Earthquake 1905.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. The peaks of the range are approximately above the valley floor, rising sharply from its base with no low hills in between.Climate
Most of the valley has a humid subtropical climate. 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.Language
A distinct regional dialect, Kangri, is spoken in Kangra valley.Important towns
- Baijnath
- Dharamshala
- Kangra
- Palampur
- Nagrota Bagwan
- Yol
Transport