Tourist attractions you want to explore in Pathankot

Lying at the foothills of Kangra and Dalhousie, the small and bustling city of Pathankot is like a delightful appetiser before you set out to explore the exquisite beauty of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Criss-crossed by the Beas and Ravi rivers, the city enjoys a lush green landscape that is dotted with ancient forts and centuries-old temples. From the majestic Shahpur Kandi Fort, built under the patronage of Rajput chief, Jaspal Singh Pathania, to the charming Nurpur Fort, named in honour of Mughal empress Nur Jahan, Pathankot preserves its age-old ties with care. Tourists can soak in the charm of archaeological ruins and pay homage to one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Krishna and Meera Bai.

Pathankot lies at the confluence of the three states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Its unique position as the last city on the national highway that connects Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India, often makes it a rest stop before heading into the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, Dalhousie, Chamba, Kangra, Dharamsala, Mcleodganj, Jwalaji, Chintpurni and deep into the Himalayas.

Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Mukteshwar Mahadev cave temple lies on the banks of River Ravi. The main attraction of the temple is a marble shivling. The temple also houses idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Hanuman and Goddess Parvati. Some caves near the temple are believed to have been there from the times of Mahabharata. According to a popular legend, it is believed that the Pandavas of the epic Mahabharata had stayed in the caves for a night during their final year in exile.

Tourists can also enjoy a picnic as the temple is surrounded by beautiful views of the Ravi river and rocky hills. It is located on the Shahpur Kandi Dam road near Pathankot.

Nurpur Fort

Formerly known as the Dhameri Fort, the massive Nurpur Fort was constructed by Raja Basu, the ruler of Pathankot, in the late 16th century. It is known for its impressive architectural designs, particularly the walls that have deeply carved panels depicting figures of birds, animals, men, women, children, kings, gods and goddesses. Tourists can also pay respects at the Brij Raj Swami Temple, located within the premises. A special feature of this site is that here the idols of both Lord Krishna and Meera Bai are worshipped together.

The Nurpur Fort retains its charm with its expansive precinct, archeological ruins, ponds and a 400-year-old maulshri tree. The fort has been named in honour of Mughal empress Nur Jahan, who is believed to have taken a fancy to the beautiful valley of Nurpur.

Palampur

Home to beautiful tea plantations, Tibetan monasteries, artistic villages and ancient temples, Palampur lies in the foothills of the impressive snow-capped Dhauladhar mountain range, in the north-west part of Himachal Pradesh. The city's pine-scented crisp air and pleasant climate make it the perfect base for regional excursions. You can either choose to wander around the tea gardens, where you can learn all about the intriguing process of tea-making and sample many varieties, or head to nearby places like Andretta and Baijnath for amazing experiences. While Andretta is an artist village known for its exquisite pottery and a rich cultural scene, Baijnath is home to the Tashi Jong Monastery that was founded by lamas from Tibet's Khampagar Monastery. The Baijnath Temple on the road between Palampur and Bir is another attraction. It has superb carvings that look a lot like those in Khajuraho.

A popular spot among adventure-seekers, Palampur is known for trekking, angling and paragliding opportunities. The cliffs of Dhauladhar mountains boast many well-defined trails that make for an exhilarating and challenging trek. Even the popular Bajinath-Manali trek passes through Palampur.

Taking a walk through lovely surroundings of forests and mountains to reach the beautiful Bundla stream is another great experience you can undertake in Palampur. Lying at a distance of about 115 km from Pathankot, Palampur makes for a delightful excursion.

Shahpurkandi Fort

Named after Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, this fort is the major tourist attraction of Gurdaspur in Punjab. Nestled in the foothills of the majestic Himalayas, the fort gives an insight into Pathankot's rich tradition and history. What makes the fort worth visiting is its intricate carvings, magnificent construction and the fact that it offers great views of the picturesque Himalayan foothills and the Ravi river. The ruins around the fort that were destroyed during the British rule, are also worth visiting as they speak volumes about the glorious past of the Pathania dynasty.

The fort was built by Shah Jahan's Rajput chief, Jaspal Singh Pathania, in 1505, with an aim to protect regions of Nurpur and Kangra. The fort also served as the last refuge of Ram Singh Pathania in 1848 AD when he rebelled against the atrocities of British rule.