An uphill walk to Kamru Fort Sangla

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.

A kid in Kamru Fort sangla valley, India

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. 

flags on a temple on way to Kamru Fort Sangla valley, India

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Kamru Fort Sangla | Kamakshi Devi Temple | Sangla Valley | India | asia | travel | #kamrufort #sanglavalley #travelPeople 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!

a kid and his grandfather in Kamru Fort sangla valley, India

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. 

A temple on way to kamru fort sangla India

Beautiful door on way to kamru fort Sangla for Kamakshi devi Temple, Sangla valley India

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.

Kamru fort Sangla - Kamakshi Devi - entry door - Sangla Valley, Himachal Pradesh India

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 

The priest lady at kamru fort sangla valley Himachal Pradesh India

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. 

Kamru Fort Sangla Valley Himachal Pradesh

Have you visited Sangla valley? Did you include Kamru Fort Sangla in your itinerary? Do share your experience with me.

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91 Replies to “An uphill walk to Kamru Fort Sangla”

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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!

  4. 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!

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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!

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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!

  13. 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?

  14. 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.

  15. 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

  16. 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. 🙂

  17. 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!!!

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. 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!

  21. 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.

  22. 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.

  23. 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.

  24. 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.

  25. 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!

  26. 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

  27. 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.

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