Sangla valley is a heavenly village in upper Kinnaur Himachal Pradesh in India with so many things to do and see. Kamru Fort Sangla is one of the many famous tourist places in Himachal Pradesh in India and a major highlight from Sangla valley. The Kamru Fort on a hilltop offers picturesque views and a religious presence by the Kamakshi Devi temple.
Kamru Fort Sangla
Kamru Fort is almost 2 km away from Sangla Valley and is a centuries-old fort and oldest in the state. Cars go only to a particular point at the base of the hill and then there’s a 30-minute walk till the historic Kamru fort. The hike to the Kamru fort is a pretty simple one with a smooth path surrounded by apple trees and views of snow-capped mountains from wherever our eyes rotate. Despite not being a hiking person I actually enjoyed this short hike. No wonder I’d love t add this to best hikes in Asia and actually go on the others.
Must Read – Why we ditched our trip to Chitkul?
People I met in Kamru Fort Sangla
Travelling is the best way to connect with people. The culture, the vibe is best known through the interaction with locals only. That happens when we simply gather the courage to talk to strangers. I know this can be tough for introverts like me, but starting with a smile usually helps.
I met this wonderful grandfather taking his grandson on his back for a stroll. The kid here is saying Hi to me after a few attempts of mine to make him smile, but it happened only when his grandfather told him to say hi and smile..this was I when clicked him!
Shree Badri Vishal Temple
After a few minutes of walk, we come around a small temple which is usually closed for tourists. But you may offer prayers from outside or talk to locals who can arrange a visit. It can also be used as a stopping point where you may interact with locals. The locals of the surrounding village usually spend their day here, soak the summer sun, knit & socialise. Even we encountered a few people and talked to some of them.
Kamakshi Devi Temple
The temple dedicated to Kamakhya Devi (Kamakshi Devi) with the idol as believed to be brought from Guwahati. The Kamakshi Devi temple has a beautiful entry door and I’m sure you will find various beautiful artistic doors all over the Sangla valley too. If you’re also a photography-lover like me, you will adore these beautiful pictures from scenic Sangla valley.
There’s another plus point of visiting Kamru Fort is that there are literally very few tourists and you kind of own the place. The entry to the Kamakshi Devi temple & Kamru fort is through this beautiful artistic door where a woman priest welcomed us with a typical Himachali cap and a red holy strap to tie around our waist which is a culture to follow before entering the Kamakshi Devi temple.
Must Read – Best places to visit in Sangla Valley!
Priest of Kamakshi Devi Temple
When we travel, one way to connect with locals is to talk to them, and respect their culture and most importantly ask their permission if you want to get their photograph. Some people don’t like to be clicked but some do say yes, and that’s your moment as a photographer. I asked this lovely woman for a picture while we were in Kamru Fort, Sangla valley. Initially, despite being little hesitant she let me click from where she was standing and then for next picture she asked me whether should I stand here and I said ok happily and this was the picture I got with her beautiful shy smile
It was a real surprise to me that we weren’t allowed to enter the Kamru fort. Though I think it is always nice to blend in and not resist all the time. Only the main temple priests are allowed in the fort as they say 360 million gods live in the fort.
Have you visited Sangla valley? Did you include Kamru Fort Sangla in your itinerary? Do share your experience with me.
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Reblogged this on PALAMPUR PANORAMA.
Thank you so much 🙂
A centuries old fort holds the rich history of a nation. It is an archaeologist’s dream. I wonder if it is possible to to talk to people or decode from archives or artifacts housed at the fort, things that happened there. Forts are very interesting places.
I love the walking tour and the pictures of the fort. Not only that I love the pictures of the people there. So awesome.
Wow! This is so different from the world I live in! I could be so happy to visit India and experience the beauty and culture!
What a lovely photo story. My favorites are your interactions with people attempting to capture their photos. I imagine it’s quite fun and engaging doing what you do. Thank you for sharing this little glimpse of Sangla.
Love to see photos of places like this, they remind me of all the stories and fairytales I read when I was growing up; seeing the local people wearing such colorful clothes makes me feel like I’m there, very insightful photos!
Your photos are simply beautiful. You capture the essence of that location and more important, of the people you encountered. THanks for sharing
That’s beautiful! It would be nice to walk around and enjoy the scenery and all the details from the architecture. It’s nice that the locals gave you permission to take some photos of them. It makes the trip more memorable and the photos, beautiful!
Kamru is so beautiful and what a wonderful walk to the fort. It’s too bad tourists are not allowed in the temple but it’s understandable because of the significance it holds. I’ve never been to India and there are so many beautiful areas I would love to see.
Loved the photos in this post. Sometimes locals say yes to taking their pictures and you get such awesome clicks. I haven’t been to Sangla though. It looks like a lovely place.
your photos are beautiful. i love the intricate architecture and designs inlaid into the doors. Kamru looks like a hidden gem to explore.
I love learning about places and history that I have not heard of. The culture is rich with tradition and the detailed architecture is unbelievable. I really want to see that in person.
Beautiful architecture! I especially love the doors!
I wonder why tourists aren’t allowed inside the temple. Maybe because they would disturb too much? The door of the temple loos stunning, so many details in the carving! I like the peaceful vibe this fort inspires and the wonderful people who live there. They look so authentic, you’ve captured them wonderful in your photos.
No tourists at all! And then you weren’t allowed to go in! But those are truly artistic doors. I hope they get preerved well.
The kid looks so cute, the pictures are so vibrant and colorful. I have never been to India before but have always heard alot about it. Kamru fort looks like a really impressive place.
Beautiful Pictures and Great Write – up
There are so many beautiful forts in India, I hadn’t heard of Kamru Fort but must visit after seeing it here. The door has so much detail, someone put a lot of hours into that! Your people photography is very good, so many people want to pose for photos!
Glad you liked the post🙂
Kamru Fort is so interesting with its detailed architecture. Your photo essay is definitely very moving and quite intriguing. I would love to visit this and see those sites for myself. The photos of those doors are what captured my attention most.
Glad you liked the place 🙂
Beautiful pictures. I love that no cars were allowed to drive right up to the fort and that you have to walk up to it. It helps keep down congestion and such. I can understand why they only allow certain people in the fort. They consider it sacred and by allowing tons of people into it, there’s the possibility of vandalism, visitors who might not treat it as a sacred place, etc.
I agree. Thanks, glad you liked the pictures 🙂
Lovely pictures
Thank you for the lovely words
For me, this post was all about your pictures. Such fantastic insights to the place. I loved the way you have not just captured the fort and its beauty but also, the people who make the culture of the place. Very well done indeed!
Thank you Ami for the lovely words🙂
I love these tower citadels in HP and loved your portraits of the local people. I was too lazy to climb up to Kamru and have only clicked from a distance, although I have been to Sangla twice. Next time I’d like to time it with Phulaich festival. Have you been to Cheni Kothi?
Hope you visit Kamru Fort next time you’re there. No, I think i have not heard about Cheni Kothi, what’s that, is it in Sangla?
The temple doors are amazing – so intricate! I’ve never heard of Kamru Fort or Sangla before but now I’ve definitely added HP to the itinerary of my next trip to India! I keep on scrolling back to that picture of the old man and his grandchild; it’s such a lovely photo.
Thank you for the lovely words. Glad to know that you’ll add HP in your trip to India, I can assure, you wouldn’t be disappointed 🙂
Wow, 33000 gods, that’s a busy temple, but it’s a shame you weren’t allowed in. I must admit I have never heard Sangla but from your pictures, it just looks magical like something out of a movie and the people seemed very pleasant to allow you to take photos. Great post and photo’s
Thank you for your lovely words🙂 I agree, people are just so amazing there!!
Sangla, a new place for me. It must be disappointing not being allowed inside. The door is really impressive.
And I do have some such grand pa – grand child pics. 🙂
Thank you Indrani for the lovely words🙂 Lucky you have pictures with your grand pa 🙂
Such lovely kids! I am so glad that you interact with locals during your travels and even more glad about the fact that you ask for permission from people before clicking their pictures!! BTW Kamru fort looks stunning!!!
Thank you for the lovely words 🙂
That kid is so amazingly cute. The stone work on the fort is just amazing. I would love to sneak in and see what the inside looks like, but I would resist the urge. I don’t want 33,000 gods mad at me.
Ha ha, yeah I also wanted to sneak in to explore what’s it like from the inside. Thank you for your lovely words🙂
Your photos are beautiful. They really show the wonderful art work behind the buildings. And the beautiful moments when you connect to locals with a camera! Well done.
Thank you for the kind words🙂
That door certainly is a special one! That little boy is very cute, I love how they carry the kids on their backs, it’s like that in South America too 🙂
Yes, it is very common in Himachal to carry children on their backs. Thank you for the lovely words
I love Himachal Pradesh a lot for its humble people, virgin scenic beauty, and rich culture. I am yet to visit Sangla. But this photo story made to plan it soon. I haven’t heard about Kamru Fort till now. But would love to visit soon.
I hope you visit there soon, it really is a peaceful place.
What a beautiful photo essay on a nice place! I’ve never heard of Kamru Fort but it looks interesting. It’s surprising you weren’t allowed to enter, maybe this will change if more travellers visit!
Yes even we were little saddened when we weren’t allowed inside the fort 😐 Well thank you did the lovely words
Beautiful pictures! I too love doors and these look fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the lovely words 🙂
First of all Congrats for your picture of door featured in Thursday doors! Taking photos with locals and mingling with them must be quite fun. Kamru Fort has religious importance too because of 33000 gods live in it.
Thank you Yukti for the lovely words 🙂
North India especially Himachal has a bounty of wonderful places and picturesque landscapes. Kamru fort is beautiful something worth a visit on Sangla trip.
Thank you for the lovely words 🙂
Beautiful photos! I agree that photography is an excellent way to connect with locals. I haven’t been to Sangala, but I’m sure I would enjoy the 30 minute walk to Kamru Fort.
Thank you so much for the lovely words Nancy 🙂
33,000 gods is a lot of gods. No wonder you can’t squeeze into the fort. Seriously though, this looks like a lovely spiritual place to visit and I love how you could meet and interact with so many locals here.
Yeah it was a different experience. Thank you so much for the lovely words🙂
What gorgeous photos! That baby is super cute too. I’ve never heard of this place but it sounds like a really cool place to check out.
Thank you so much for the lovely words🙂
You’ve captured some beautiful faces with your photos. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for the lovely words🙂
I love the way that you capture people in your photography. It brings me into a place a half world away and gives me a personal connection to somebody I will probably never meet. That is a powerful gift to create such a moment.
Wow, such lovely words!! Thank you for the kind words 🙂
What a completely awesome looking fort. I would love to visit here one day – much thanks to the inspirational photos in your post. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Thank you for the lovely words🙂
I have not heard of Sangla before but it looks so beautiful through your pictures. I especially like the Kamru Fort though it looks a little scary on the outside, I would love to go in and explore. Definitely going to add this place to my bucketlist
I hope you get a chance to visit there soon
Such a great place. Looks like you had lots of fun.
Yes Hendrik, we did!! Thank you for the lovely words🙂
That photo of the kid and grandfather is so cute! this looks like a really charming destination; I hope I’m able to visit someday.
Yes the kid was super-cute and I hope you can visit the place 🙂
Thank you for the lovely words.
Wonderful shots as always 🙂
Thank you Norm, So glad you liked the pictures 🙂
very beautiful pics , it tells a story on its own.
Thank you for the lovely words 🙂
Beautiful pics!
Thank you Shalu
These pictures are fantastic, you’ve made me want to go so much now haha
Ha ha Glad I could help 🙂
Wow! Those doors sure are beautiful! I’ve never been to India but this is a part I would love to go see! Looks a lot like Nepal! Great photography
Thank you so much!! Yes it is a great place to see. Hope you visit sooner than later.
Sangla looks like an impressive place to check out and so glad you got to mix in with the locals. Loving the photos here. 🙂
Thank you Danik 🙂 Glad you liked the post & pictures!!
It sounds amazing, and your photography is stunning!! It’s a pleasure to read. 🙂
Thank you so much 🙂
So glad you liked the pictures 😀