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{{other uses|Kalka (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2017}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2014}}

{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Kalka
| nickname =
| settlement_type = [[Town]]
| motto =
| image_flag =
| flag_size =
| image_seal =
| seal_size =
| image_map =
| mapsize =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Haryana
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| pushpin_mapsize =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Haryana]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Panchkula district|Panchkula]]
| government_footnotes =
| government_type =
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| established_title = Founded
| established_date = 1842
| area_magnitude =
| unit_pref = metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_land_km2 =
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_note =
| population_total = 34134
| population_density_km2 =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_title2 = Spoken
timezone = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset = +5.30
| coordinates = {{coord|30.83|N|76.93|E|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 656
| elevation_ft = 2152
| postal_code_type = Post code
| postal_code = 133302
| area_code = 1733
| registration_plate = HR-49
| website =
| footnotes =
| demographics1_info1 = [[Haryanvi language|Haryanvi]], [[Hindi]], [[Indian English|English]]
| demographics1_info2 =
| subdivision_type3 = Nearest city
| subdivision_name3 = [[Chandigarh]], [[Panchkula]], [[Shimla]], [[Solan]], [[Ambala]]
}}
'''Kalka''' is a [[town]] in the [[Panchkula district]] of [[Haryana, India|Haryana]], [[India]]. It is near [[Panchkula|Panchkula city]]. The name of the town is derived from the Hindu goddess [[Kali]]. It is situated in the foothills of the [[Himalayas]] and is a gateway to the neighbouring [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Himachal Pradesh]]. It is on the [[National Highway 22 (India)|National Highway 22]] between [[Chandigarh]] and [[Shimla]], and it is the terminus of the [[Kalka-Shimla Railway]]. To the south of Kalka is [[Pinjore]], and the industrial village of [[Parwanoo]] (Himachal Pradesh) is to the north on the NH 22. Railways and Industrial development has led to a continuous urban belt from Pinjore to Parwanoo, but Kalka gained major economic benefits due to only highway until 2010, shimla. It is the [[tehsil]] of 253 nearby sub villages. Nearby is [[Chandimandir Cantonment]], where the Western Command of the [[Indian army]] is based. In 2013, the municipal committee of Kalka was dissolved and the administration was reassigned to [[Panchkula Municipal Corporation]].

==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 stopover and depot for the Simla, the summer capital of the Raj.<ref name=depot1/> In 1846, it was transferred to the [[Shimla district]] and in 1899 to the [[Ambala district]].<ref name=hargazc1>[http://revenueharyana.gov.in/Portals/0/hr-gaz-ch-5.pdf Haryana Gazateer], Revennue Dept of Haryana, Capter-V.</ref>
The main center part was established by [[Pundir]] Rajputs of Haryana and the area was under them and this town was governed by local Rajputi zamindars. In the 1800s, British occupied the land from local zamindars for rail development, which led to an economic boost of the town .
It became the junction for the [[Delhi–Kalka line|Delhi-Panipat-Ambala-Kalka railway line]], and the [[Kalka-Shimla Railway|Kalka-Shimla railways]] (opened in 1903).<ref name=hargazc1/> 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.<ref name=depot1>{{Cite book|title=Imperial gazetteer of India: provincial series, Volume 21|year=1906|publisher=Supdt. of Govt. of India|pages=335|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-AO2AAAAIAAJ&q=Kalka&pg=PA335}}</ref> 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.
{{Weather box
|collapsed =
|metric first= Y
|single line= Y
|temperature colour = pastel
|location= Kalka

|Jan high C= 18.1
|Feb high C= 21
|Mar high C= 26.2
|Apr high C= 32.2
|May high C= 36.7
|Jun high C= 36.7
|Jul high C= 31.5
|Aug high C= 30.3
|Sep high C= 31.1
|Oct high C= 29.3
|Nov high C= 25.3
|Dec high C= 20.7

|Jan low C= 6.2
|Feb low C= 8.1
|Mar low C= 12.8
|Apr low C= 17.7
|May low C= 22.6
|Jun low C= 24.8
|Jul low C= 23.7
|Aug low C= 23.1
|Sep low C= 21.7
|Oct low C= 16
|Nov low C= 10.2
|Dec low C= 7.1

|rain colour= green
|Jan rain mm= 73
|Feb rain mm= 51
|Mar rain mm= 55
|Apr rain mm= 17
|May rain mm= 30
|Jun rain mm= 104
|Jul rain mm= 428
|Aug rain mm= 339
|Sep rain mm= 200
|Oct rain mm= 53
|Nov rain mm= 12
|Dec rain mm= 29

|source 1= climate-data.org<ref name= climate-data >
{{Cite web
|url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/24776/
|title= Climate:Kalka
|access-date=2014-02-10
}}</ref>
}}

==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 for distances up to 25–30 km. Government and private buses are also very common for commuting to nearby cities. Many intercity govt buses start or pass through Kalka, connecting it with Chandigarh, Ambala, Panipat, 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. In recent years, trains have been started from Kalka to Shirdi, Maharashtra and to Katra, Jammu which run on specific days of week.

===Kalka Shimla Railway===
{{Main article|Kalka Shimla Railway}}
The Kalka Shimla Railway features on the [[UNESCO]]'s [[World Heritage Site]]s list. Work on the railway line started in 1898 and it opened for traffic in 1903.

==Demographics==

According to the 2011 census, the population of Kalka is 34,314. The Kalka Metropolitan area population is 86,550, which consists of the adjoining cities of Kalka, Pinjore and Parwanoo. Local language is [[Mahasu Pahari|Baghati]] but [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], [[Haryanvi language|Haryanvi]] and [[Hindi]] is also used by the residents in the town.

==Places of interest==

=== Kalika Devi temple ===
{{anchor | Kali Mata Temple | Kali Mata temple | Kalika Devi Temple | Kalika Devi temple }}
The ancient temple of the [[Hindu goddess]] [[Kali]] is situated on the [[National Highway 22 (India)|National Highway 22]]{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} that runs through Kalka town. The temple is visited by devotees who pay their respects annually during the [[Navratras|Navratri]]. According to [[oral tradition]], the original temple was built by [[Pandava]]s of [[Mahabharata]] of [[Vedic era]] during their [[Virata Parva|Agyatvas]] (exile) when they stayed here for some time.

Annual religious [[mela]] (fair) is held in March–April every year.<ref name=hargazc1/>

=== Shri Trimurtidham Balaji Hanuman Temple ===

Sri Trimurti Dham is situated amidst the [[Shivalik Hills]]. It is located on a hill-top beside the eastern fringe of Kalka town in district. Panchkula (Haryana) overlooking the industrial city Parwanoo. The literal meaning of 'Sri Trimurti Dham' is "a place where Teen Murtis (three idols) exist together".

=== Shimla ===
[[Shimla]] is situated in the south-western range of [[Himalayas]]. It is only 88 km from Kalka and can be reached in 2.5 hours by car. '''Toy train is also ply from Shimla to Kalka''', vice versa. It remains a favourite tourist destination of all throughout the year.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==

*[http://panchkula.nic.in/ Official Website of the Panchkula district]
*[http://www.haryana-online.com/districts/panchkula.htm Panchkula district]
*[http://www.kalka.city Local web platform with information related to Kalka]
{{Panchkula district topics}}

{{Haryana}}
{{Hindu temples in Haryana}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Haryana]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Panchkula district]]
[[Category:Tehsils in Haryana]]
[[Category:Hill stations in Haryana]]

Kalka - Revision history

WikiDwarfBOT at 00:56, 22 July 2023