Dharmshala Travel Information

The High snow clad Dhauladhar ranges of the Himalayas from a magnificent backup to the hill resort of Dharamsala is the principal township of Kangra district and overlooks the wide spead f the plains. With dense pine and deodar forests, numerous streams, cool healthy air, attractive surroundings and the nearby snowline. Dharamsala has everything for a perfect holiday. It is full of life and yet peaceful. And the headquarters of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are here. Covering a wide area in the form of twin settlement, Lower Dharamsala (1380m) is a busy commercial center, while Upper Dharamsalal (1830m) with the suburbs of Mcleodganj and Forsy theganj, retains a British flavour and colonial lifestyle.

The charming church of St. John in the wilder ness is situated here and this is the final resting place of Lord Elgin, a British, a British Viceroy of India during the 19th century. There is also a large Tibetan community who have made this their home. Numerous ancient temples like Jwalamukhi, Brijeshwari and Chamunda lie on the plains below Dharmasala.

How to Get There :
Daramsala can be approached by air from Delhi. The nearest airpot is at Gaggal, just 13km away. Pathankot the nearest broad gauge railway station is 85 km away and the toy train station is just 17km at Kangra. Taxis, Buses for Dharmasala are available at both places. From Pathankot the drive takes about tree hours. Or you can drive from Delhi (526km) via Chandigarh, Kirtpur and Bilaspur. This should take around 12 hours. From Delhi and Shimla luxury buses ply to Dharmasala.

Climate

In winter the temperature can drop to freezing point when heavy woolens are required. During summer. The climate is mild and light woolens/cottons are recommended.

Places of Interest in and Around Dharamsala

The variety Dharamsala offers for sightseeing ranges from temples, churches and monsasteries to museums, ancient towns and places of natural beauty. Every season and every spot has its own special offering.

Kangra Art Museum, Kotwall Bazar :
This treasure trove of the Kangra Valley arts, crafts and rich past, displays artifacts that date back to the 5th century. It includes a gallery of kangra's famous miniature painting and a representative collection of sculptures, pottery and anthropological items. Shamlanas and dresses used by local royalty, old carved doors, jails, lintels and pandals are also on display coins. Jewellery and manuscripts are included. A section houses the work of contemporary artists, sculptures and photographers. The library is just below this.

War Memorial
At the very start of town, landscaped lawns and a web of narrow paths fill a pine grove where a monuments has been raised to commemorate the post Independence wr heroes of Himachal Pradesh.

Kunal Pathri
A 3 km level walk from the Kowali Bazar leads up to this rock temple.

St. John's Church
8 km from Dharamsala between forsythganj and Mcleodganj is the charming dressed stone church of St. john in the Wilderness. Under the Shade of deodar braches. A memorial has been erected over the body of the British viceroy. Lord Elgin who died at Dharamsala in 1863. There is a well tended old graveyard on these grassy slopes.

Mcleodganj
Often called the Little Lahasa at 1770 m, this is the residence of His Hgoliness Dalai Lama. The impressive monastery has larger than life images of the Buddha. Padmasambhava and avaloktwshwara. The large Tibetan community and the presence of traditional architectural designs drawn from Tibet every Sunday, the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts is just a km away and it organizes a ten day festival from the second Saturday of April.

Dal Lake
11 km from Dharmsala and surrounded by deodar trees, the lake fills mountain bown from Tibet every Sunday. The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts is just a km away and it organizes a ten day festival from the second Saturday of April.

Bhagsunath
Close to fresh water springs, this ancient temple is 11 km from Dharamsala. It is a popular picnic spot and the famous slate quarries are close by.

Chinmaya Tapovan
10 km from Dharamsala on the banks of the rivulet Bindu Saras, is an ashram complex established by the late Swami Chinmayananda. A noted exponent of the Gita. The complex includes a 9m high image of Lord Hanuman, a magnificent Rama temple. A mediation hall, a School, and a health and ahealth and recreation center.