Kalka

For other uses, see Kalka (disambiguation).
Kalka
कालका
Town
Nickname(s): Hindi,English,Punjabi,Urdu,Kashmiri, Dogri
Kalka
Coordinates: 30°50′N 76°56′E / 30.83°N 76.93°E / 30.83; 76.93Coordinates: 30°50′N 76°56′E / 30.83°N 76.93°E / 30.83; 76.93
Country  India
State Haryana
District Panchkula
Founded 1842
Area
 • Total 2 km2 (0.8 sq mi)
Elevation 656 m (2,152 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 30,887
Time zone IST (UTC+5.30)
Post code 133302
Area code(s) 1733
Vehicle registration HR-49
Website www.kalka.city

Kalka (Hindi: कालका) is a town in the Panchkula district of Haryana, India. The name of the town is derived from the goddess Kali. The town is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and is a gateway to the neighbouring state of Himachal Pradesh. It is on the National Highway 22 between Chandigarh and Shimla, and is the terminus of the Kalka-Shimla Railway. To the south of Kalka is Pinjore, and the industrial town of Parwanoo (Himachal Pradesh) is to the north on the NH 22. Industrial development has led to a continuous urban belt from Pinjore to Parwanoo, but Kalka remains largely unaffected by these developments. Nearby is Chandimandir Cantonment where the Western Command of the Indian army is based. In 2013 it has come under the jurisdiction of Panchkula Municipal Corporation and its municipal committee has been dissolved.

History

The town takes its name from Kalika maa the ruling deity. Kalka was acquired by British India from the Princely state of Patiala in 1843 as a depot for Simla, the summer capital of the Raj. It became the junction for the Delhi-Ambala-Kalka, and the Kalka - Simla railways. By 1901, the town, administered as a notified area, had a population of 7,045, a railway workshop, and was a market for ginger and turmeric.[1] The Kalka municipal committee was created on 11 April 1933.

Climate

Kalka experiences a subtropical climate, with a monsoon season from late June to early October. The summer starts in mid-April and temperatures peak during May and June. This is followed by the monsoon season, which is accompanied by a drop in temperature and an increase in humidity. Temperatures remain moderate in October and November, but start falling towards the end of November. Winter lasts through December, January and February, with temperatures lowest in early January. Kalka also receives some rainfall from Western Disturbance, near the end of winter. Winter season, despite being chilly, is mostly free of fog unlike most north Indian cities in the plains.

Climate data for Kalka
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 18.1
(64.6)		 21
(70)		 26.2
(79.2)		 32.2
(90)		 36.7
(98.1)		 36.7
(98.1)		 31.5
(88.7)		 30.3
(86.5)		 31.1
(88)		 29.3
(84.7)		 25.3
(77.5)		 20.7
(69.3)		 28.26
(82.89)
Average low °C (°F) 6.2
(43.2)		 8.1
(46.6)		 12.8
(55)		 17.7
(63.9)		 22.6
(72.7)		 24.8
(76.6)		 23.7
(74.7)		 23.1
(73.6)		 21.7
(71.1)		 16
(61)		 10.2
(50.4)		 7.1
(44.8)		 16.17
(61.13)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 73
(2.87)		 51
(2.01)		 55
(2.17)		 17
(0.67)		 30
(1.18)		 104
(4.09)		 428
(16.85)		 339
(13.35)		 200
(7.87)		 53
(2.09)		 12
(0.47)		 29
(1.14)		 1,391
(54.76)
Source: climate-data.org[2]

Transport

Road

Kalka is situated along a slope. This makes it somewhat difficult to commute on foot. Local transport (within Kalka) is by shared auto-rickshaws. These autos ply to a distance of around 15–20 km. There are also shared cabs (not the luxury ones) for distances up to 25–30 km. Government and private buses are also very common for commuting to nearby towns. Many intercity govt buses start or pass through Kalka, connecting it with Chandigarh, Ambala, Delhi, Shimla and many other cities.

Rail

Kalka railway station is the northern terminal of the Delhi-Kalka line of Northern Railway, Indian Rail (Station code KLK) serving as terminal station for broad gauge line (towards Chandigarh) and narrow gauge line (towards Shimla). Direct trains on broad gauge, connect to Delhi, Mumbai, Howrah etc.

Kalka Shimla Railway

Main article: Kalka Shimla Railway

The Kalka Shimla Railway features on the UNESCO's World Heritage sites list as the Mountain Railways of India. Work on the railway line started in 1898 and it opened for traffic in 1903.

Demographics

According to 2011 census the population of Kalka is 30,314

Religions in Kalka
Religion Percent
Hindus
  
 79%
Muslims
  
 4%
Sikhs
  
 16%
Others†
  
 1%
Distribution of religions
†Includes Sikhs (1.0%), Buddhists (<0.5%).

Places of interest

Kali Mata Temple

The ancient temple of the Hindu goddess Kali is situated on the National Highway 22 that runs through Kalka town. The temple is very popular with hundreds of devotees pay their respects annually during the Navratri. It is believed that this temple was built in the age of Mahabhrata by Pandvas, during "Agyat Vas" when they stayed here for some time.

Shri Trimurtidham Balaji Hanuman Temple

GOD is Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent. HE is present in the smallest of the smallest particle on the surface of the earth. But at times to personify HIS presence in everything, GOD manifests Himself in different places in different ways and at the different times. Sometimes, HE manifests himself in the form of a human or appears in the form of an idol, thus personifying HIS Presence. HE re-incarnates at a specific place chosen by himself. 'Sri Trimuti Dham' is one such place where the formless shape of the Lord has taken a visible form, discernible to the naked human eyes.

Sri Trimurti Dham is situated amidst the beautiful mountain ranges of shivalik hills - like the jewel in the crown - on the pictureque hill-top beside the eastern fringe of Kalka town in distt. Panchkula (Haryana) overlooking the industrial town Parwanoo which is serving as the gateway to the scenic beauty and grandeur of the mighty Himalyas of Himachal Pardesh.

Sri Trimurti Dham The literal meaning of 'Sri Trimurti Dham' is "a place where Teen Murtis (three idols) exist together". "Sri Trimurti Dham" is a place where the three radiant, unique and amazingly alive deities of the following are enshrined,

Shri Bala ji Hanuman Shri Pretraj Sarkar and Shri Bhairav ji

http://www.sritrimurtidham.org/

Pinjore Garden

The Yadavindra Gardens at Pinjore, believed to be built by Mughals, is another popular destination among people visiting the area. Every year a Mango Mela is organised here in which 500 varieties of mangoes are displayed for the visitors. There are many buildings which was made by Mughals and was of greenery only.

References

  1. ↑ Imperial gazetteer of India: provincial series, Volume 21. Supdt. of Govt. of India. 1906. p. 335.
  2. ↑ "Climate:Kalka". Retrieved 2014-02-10.

External links

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