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Pathankot is a city located in Punjab and shares an international border with Pakistan on the west in the foothills of Kangra and Dalhousie. It serves as an important point leading into the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, Dalhousie, Chamba, Kangra, Dharamshala, Mcleodganj, Jwalaji, Chintpurni and further into the Himalayas. Thus called has “Gateway to the Himalayas.”
Brief History
Pathankot is an ancient city and has historical significance. In fact, the original name of Pathankot. Besides, numerous coins of great antiquity were found here, proving that it is one of the oldest sites in the Punjab i.e. Punjab before its partition.
State/District/Capital
Pathankot is a district located in the north zone of the Indian state of Punjab. It shares international borders with the Narowal District of Pakistani Punjab. It also shares borders with the Kathua District of Jammu and Kashmir and Chamba and Kangra districts of Himachal Pradesh.
How to reach Pathankot?
Pathankot Airport IXP is a Domestic (Civil) Airport just 3 km from the main city. Also, the nearest International Airport from Pathankot is Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport, Amritsar, roughly 119 Km from the city. In addition to this, it has its own Railway Station named Pathankot Railway Station.
When to visit Pathankot?
What is the best time to visit Pathankot? October to April is the best time if you want to enjoy a trip to Pathankot itself. However, if you are planning to visit other places near Pathankot, you can come here anytime as the weather is never too hot in the summers as well.
Official Language
The city speaks many languages like Hindi, Punjabi, Pahari and Dogri. Punjabi is the most spoken as well as the official language here.
Weather
Pathankot is 337m above sea level. The climate in Pathankot is warm and temperate. In winter, there is much less rainfall than in summer. The average annual temperature in Pathankot is 21.4°C. In January, the average temperature is 10.8 °C. It is the lowest average temperature of the whole year. June is the warmest month of the year. The temperature in June averages 30.2 °C
Fairs & Festivals in Pathankot
The grand fair called Mukesran Da Mela held every year to mark the grand festival Baisakhi in the month of April where many devotees and pilgrims make their way to this temple from all over Punjab and the nearby states like Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal. Also, many devotees make it a point to visit this temple on Shivratri.
Transportation/Stay to prefer
Pathankot is well connected by rail and road with the rest of the country. Pathankot is connected by a vast network of private and public-sector bus services to other cities in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir.
There are various resorts and hotels in the town. One can pre-book them. The rooms are spacious and clean with the best surrounding. These rooms are available at moderate and high costs as well depending upon the season.
Places to visit in Pathankot
1. Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple
Also known as Mukesaran Mandir, is a shrine of Lord Shiva and is 25 km from Pathankot City in Village Doong, on the bank of the Ravi River. These caves are on the way to Shahpur Kandi. There are some caves that purportedly date to the time of the Mahabharata. According to legend, the Pandavas stayed in those caves for a night during their exile (Agayatwas).
2. Ashapurni Mandir
Ashapurni Mandir is one of the oldest temples in Pathankot. The Goddess is considered to be an extremely powerful deity. Kanya Poojas and the annual festival of Navratri are celebrated with great enthusiasm here.
3. Ranjith Sagar Dam
In all honesty, irrigation and power generation was the main focus to build the dam. Built on River Ravi, it is a stunning work of engineering and the biggest hydroelectric project in Punjab. 60% of the 32 billion cubic metre capacity reservoir formed falls in the Jammu and Kashmir region while the remaining 40% in Pathankot. However, the power plant has four turbines that generate 600 MW of total electricity.
4. Kathgarh Temple
While this temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and Parvati. It houses two Lingas of light grey sandy stone, having octagonal base personifying Lord Shiva and Parvati respectively. In fact, the bigger portion of the shivaling is worshipped as Lord Shiva and the smaller portion is worshipped as Parvati. The distance between the two parts keeps increasing and decreasing as per change in seasons.
5. Nagin Temple
Nagin Temple is one of the famous attractions of the city which is located at a distance of 16 Km from Pathankot. And the temple here is dedicated to the Goddess of snakes. Besides this, the water comes from below the temple where the idol of Nagni Maata is placed and that makes the temple unique itself. Furthermore, people drink this holy and apply “mitti”, during a snake bite.
6. Shahpurkandi Fort
It is located 20 km (approximately) from Pathankot City. Rajput chief Jaspal Singh Pathania built it in 1505 A.D. It was strategically located to have control over the Kangra and Nurpur region. The fort is in ruins.
7. Nurpur Fort
Built by the Pathania Rajputs, more than 900 years ago. Brij Raj Swami temple here is devoted to Lord Krishna and Mira Bai, the only place where idols of both are worshipped. It was damaged due to the earthquake which struck in 1905 A.D., 25 km from Pathankot.
8. Jugial Township
It is located 15 km (approximately) from Pathankot. This place has greenery all around and one Shri Laxmi Narayan Mandir which is the biggest among the nearby areas. There is also Singh Sabha Gurudwara near Shri Laxmi Narayan Mandir.
9. Hydraulic Research Station
Hydraulic Research Station is a perfect attraction for engineers and engineering enthusiasts, especially those interested in hydraulics and civil engineering. Not only this station has an impressive display of dam models and models of systems but are also brought into use for irrigational purpose. Also, one can make the most of the simulations and the research information readily available at the station.
10. City Center Mall
The City Center Mall of Pathankot is a large shopping mall located on Gandhi Chowk. It is the first mall to come up in Pathankot. The mall comprises of many novelty stores and shops, and brands of all kinds find their footprints in this mall. One can find everything from fashion, accessories, and beauty and household products in this mall.
Cuisines to taste in Pathankot
Pathankot is famous for the North Indian cuisines it has to offer. It has got the best of Punjabi foods to offer and that too at a very reasonable rate. The specialities of Pathankot include
- Dal Tarka
- Muttar Paneer
- Mutton Tikka
- Mutton curry
- Channa Batura / Chhole Batura,
- Dal makhani
- Lassi
- Sarson Da Saag with Makai ki Roti
- Palang-tod
- Litchi Juice.
Things to do in Pathankot
- Seek blessings at Mukteshwar Temple
- Absorb the history of Nurpur Fort
- Admire the marvellous Ranjit Sagar Dam
- Explore Shahpurkandi Fort
- Inhale the positivity at Kathgarh Temple
- Indulge in recreation at Novelty Mall
Souvenirs to buy in Pathankot
- Shawls
- Jewelry
- Fresh fruits
- Indigenous flowers
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