Pathankot situated at the foot of hills and near the head of Bari Doab canal, is connected by rail and road with the rest of the country. It serves as a bridgehead between India and its State of Jammu and Kashmir. Pathankot has been the seat of Loi and Shawl weaving industry and lies at a point where the trade routes from the hills of Chamba, Nurpur and Kangra unite and enter the plains. A city with a population of 129198, Pathankot is spread over 22.10 Sq.Kms. Dalhousie, Dharamshala, Maclodgunj, Kangra Valley, Jwalaji, Chintpurni, are some of the various Hill Stations of Himachal Pradesh where you can go through Pathankot.

History

Pathankot and its surrounding areas once formed part of the territories of Nurpur (now in Himachal Pardesh). The dynasty of Nurpur was established by Jatpal alias Rana Bhet, a Taur Rajput from Delhi, who settled at Pathankot and took possession of all the country in the foot of the hills. Rajputs shifted their capital to the modern town of Nurpur (renamed after Begum Nurjahan) towards the end of seventeenth century. A muslim descendant of the Rajas of Nurpur Sayed Khan ruled over this territory till 1781. Pathankot also figures in Ain-i-Akbari as the Pargana Headquarter. Some believe it was a settlement of Pathans during the madieval times. The famous historian Cunnigham says that name of Pathankot came into vogue from the word Pattan.

The Gateway to Himachal Pradesh, the State of Temples. Dalhousie, Dharamshala, Maclodgunj, Kangra Valley, Jwalaji, Chintpurni, are some of the various Hill Stations of Himachal Pradesh where you can go to through Pathankot.

Excursion Malikpur, Asia's foremost Hydraulic Research Station at the Upper Bari Doab Canal.

Madhopur, known for its famous headworks on the river Ravi.

Shahpur Kandi, a place of unique beauty a little north of Madhopur. Close by is the newly constructed Thein or Ranjit Sagar Dam.

Church, Head works of Upper Bari Doab, Shahpur Kandi are the attractions of this area.
Getting There

Pathankot is connected with direct trains to Delhi, Jammu and other cities of India. The important trains include Jammu Tawi-Mumbai Express, Pooja Express from Jammu-Jaipur.There is a vast network of bus services of Punjab, Himachal, Delhi, Haryana, Pepsu, Chandigarh, J&K apart from private operators. Important destinations include Delhi, Shimla, Chandigarh, Jammu, Dharamshala, Dalhousie and Amritsar.

How to Reach

Pathankot is well connected by rail and road with the rest of the country. It has direct train links with Delhi, Jammu and other Indian cities. All trains going to Jammu pass through Pathankot. The important trains include Jammu Tawi-Mumbai Express, Pooja Express from Jammu-Jaipur. Super fast trains like Jammu Tawi- Mumbai Express do not enter city Pathankot. They stop at outer Railway Station called 'Chakki Bank'. The distance from main Railway station & Chakki Bank is just 4 km. Pathankot is also connected by a vast network of private and public-sector bus services to other cities in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir. Important destinations include Delhi, Shimla, Chandigarh, Jammu, Dharamshala, Dalhousie and Amritsar.

Now Pathankot is also connected by Air services. Recently Mr.Praful Kumar has inaugurated this airport at pathankot on 21st of November 2006. This airport serves national flights only. Presently Air-Deccan is providing flights from Pathankot to Delhi and Dharamsala and also Delhi to Pathankot.

Hiotels In Pathankot

Hotel Abhi International
Hotel Satyam
Hotel Venice