Location : Himachal
Pradesh
Altitude : 1250 mts above sea level
Languages : Pahari, Hindi
Best time to Visit : April to June & September to
November
STD Code : (91) - 1892
About Dharamshala
An
important yet unexplored hill town in the state of Himachal Pradesh,
Dharamshala occupies a position in the lap of the Dauladar Mountains. Acres
of sprawling pine and deodar forests surround Dharamshala. The city remains
divided into Lower Dharamshala and Upper Dharamshala. The hill station of
Dharamshala is one of those places that were founded and developed by the
British to serve as summer retreats. It is due to this reason that you still
find a number of colonial buildings, adding much to the overall beauty of
the quaint hill station. Apart from that, it also serves as the home of the
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, who arrived here in the early 1960s.
Soon after Dalai Lama's arrival, Dharamshala became much popular. Today, the
hill town is also visited by a number of Buddhists. Dharamshala in Himachal
Pradesh offers you some getaway options too.
Major Tourist Attractions in Dharamshala
Though McLeodganj is the biggest tourist attraction in Dharamshala, the hill
town offers to see a number of scenic tourist spots. Given below are a few
of the most visited tourist attractions in Dharamshala.
McLeodganj
McLeodganj is the upper part of Dharamshala, more famous as the abode of
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. McLeodganj was not very well developed
up until recently but with the growing Tibetan influence over the area, it
became the hub of activity and soon a number of religious and cultural
centres grew up all over the place. Today, McLeodganj is the first choice
for visitors travelling to the place.
St. John's Church
Just a short drive from Dharamshala is the final resting place of Lord
Elgin, the erstwhile viceroy of India during the times of the raj. The St.
John's church, as it is more popularly known is adorned with intricately
carved walls and stained glass windows. The deodar forests surrounding the
area and a nearby cemetery with perfectly quite environs lend the place an
exotic look and feel.
Bhagsunag Falls
Dharamshala is a secluded place. However, if you still want to escape the
bustle of the main city, try going to Bhagsunag. Situated just 10 km from
the city, the place can be accessed by a pleasant drive of 20 minutes on
well built roads. Bhagsunag houses an ancient temple along with a fresh
water spring, however, the main attraction of the place is the beautiful
water fall where water descends from a great height and comes down with a
thudding sound.
Popular Getaways from Dharamshala
Remember to enjoy some popular getaways from the hill station of
Dharamshala. Just a few kilometres away and you'll find yourself in some of
the quaintest places in Himachal Pradesh.
Dharamkot
There is something unique and charming tucked away in every nook and corner
of the place. Dharamkot is one such quaint place situated just 14 km from
Dharamshala on the tip of a hill. All good things come at a price, you
should be willing to walk a short trek before getting to this scenic spot
which affords a panoramic view of the surroundings. There are a number of
restaurants and refreshment shops that serve the needs of the travellers.
Kareri
The shimmering Kareri lake is situated 22 km from Dharamshala. A small rest
house situated besides the lake provides excellent accommodation facilities.
Adventure Sports in Dharamshala
Nature has blessed Dharamshala with a varied landscape that offers immense
opportunities for adventure sports such as trekking and rock climbing. The
treks along the Dauladhar mountain ranges are the best and most favored by
trekkers of all classes from the beginners to the pros. The trekking season
generally begins in March and continues till the advent of the monsoon
season.
A number of lakes and fresh water streams situated around Dharamshala offer
exciting opportunities of angling and fishing. Fishing in Dharamshala can be
a unique experience with snow covered mountain peaks in the backdrop and a
pleasant climate for company.
Popular Shopping Centres in Dharamshala
Things to take home from Dharamshala include hand made handicrafts items
manufactured by local artisans. Other attractions include Tibetan carpets
that have scenes from local lores painted in vivid colors etched on them.
Crafted silver jewellery and hand woven woolen clothes are other popular
buys.
Dharamshala Travel (Airport/Railway/Road) Information
By Air : Gaggal airport is situated just 13 km from
Dharamshala. Jagson Airlines operates regular flights between Delhi and
Dharamshala, however, the operations are subject to weather conditions.
By Rail : A narrow gauge railway station is situated at
Kangra while the nearest broad gauge rail line is located at Pathankot.
Kangra is conveniently connected with Dharamshala through regularly
operational local buses. A good option of travel would be to travel to
Pathankot and change for Kangra from there. Train timings and schedules can
be checked from the official site of Indian railways, visit
http://www.indianrail.gov.in/
By Road : Good roads connect Dharamshala with all the
other stations of Kangra valley. State transport department operates regular
buses between Dharamshala and other major Indian cities including Delhi.
Distance from Dharamshala to Major Cities
If you have a few more days in hand, you can plan to visit other popular
towns in and around the state of Himachal Pradesh. Look at the distance
chart and plan your trip accordingly.
- Kangra : 22 Km
- Pathankot : 90 Km
- Delhi : 520 Km
- Chandigarh : 252 Km
- Manali : 235 Km
- Dalhousie : 127 Km
- Shimla : 270 Km
