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A gothic church hiding in the confines of a verdant forest. A Tibetan monastery situated atop a lofty hill. A cricket stadium suspended in the sky. This is just a small snippet of what Dharamshala tourism is all about. An ethereal hill station that calls out to travellers with the promise of excitement and adventure. And let’s not forget the plate of steaming momos!
| Dharamshala Tourism: A Quick View of the City | |
| State | Himachal Pradesh |
| Official Language | Hindi, English |
| Dial Code | 1892 |
| Population | 53,543 (as of 2015) |
| Currency | Indian Rupee (INR) |
| Time Zone | GMT +5:30 (IST) |
| Area | 27.60 square kilometres |
Dharamshala Cricket Stadium is one of the highest sports grounds in the world! Quaint, colourful, and serene, with the backdrop of the majestic and mesmerising Himalayan Peaks. Undoubtedly, one of the best places to visit in Dharamshala, for its cool-cucumber winds, post-card sceneries and unobscured views of the ground.
Library of Tibetan Works and Archives will give you rare insight into the sacred and beautiful religion of Buddhism. With over 80,000 manuscripts, 600 artefacts – including silk applique thangkas and a 3-D wooden mandala of Avalokiteshwara, your religious curiosity will be piqued.
Tibet Kitchen, in Upper Dharamshala, creates beautiful plates of warmth. You must gorge on the steamed vegetable dumplings, soupy noodles, and golden fried baby corn that is to die for.
St John in the wilderness Church is akin to a forgotten castle in an enchanted forest. Its grey-black stone façade exemplifies neo gothic architecture. Built in honour of John the Baptist, it is one of the most significant churches in Himachal Pradesh. Tourism in Dharamshala brims with profound places of worship, such as this.
Gyuto Monastery is synonymous with its tantric meditation and philosophy. Founded in 1959, it preserves the tradition of black magic, fighting to dispel the notion that it is evil. According to teacher Ksongkhapa, Black magic can be used for the well being of people. The monastery houses a magnificent gold statue of Buddha that glistens brilliantly as the sun shines on it.
Ensconced within the forest of this hilly oasis is War Memorial. It was built in memory of the soldiers who fought in the Indo-China war of 1947-1948, 1962, 1965 and 1971. 3 panels of glossy black stone spear into the air at 24 ft. Once you’ve walked through the lush pine forests and have read the names of the martyrs, stop by the little café and indulge in some delicious snacks.
Musroor Rock Cut Temple consists of 15 little shrines designed in the Indo-Aryan style of architecture. Believed to have been built in the 8th century, these shrines have been carved out of a single monolithic rock. They celebrate the Gods – Shiva, Vishnu, Devi and Saura.
Bhagsu Falls ranks high on the list of Dharamshala famous places. An ideal spot for picnicking and quiet contemplation. Marvel at the glittery-cascading waterfall that gushes, whooshes and splashes animatedly. It falls at a staggering height of 30 ft. Don’t forget to visit the Bhagsunath temple, from where the waterfall flows through.
A 9km trek from Upper Dharamshala will lead you to Triund. Here, you will be surrounded by snow, rocks, trees and the infinite blue. The perfect choreography for nature’s dancers. The night sky is absolutely breath-taking. Purplish-black velvet, dotted with tiny diamonds.
Dharamshala is situated in the Kangra district of the north Indian state - Himachal Pradesh. It serves as the headquarters of said district as well as for the Central Tibetan Administration. With an average elevation of 1,457 metres, the city sits within the Kangra Valley. The Dhauladhar mountains watch over protectively. The region is divided into 2 distinct sections – Lower Dharamshala and Upper Dharamshala - McLeod Ganj. The latter is further north of the mountains, obscured by pine, Himalayan Oak and rhododendron.
Click here to view Dharamshala on Google Map
Dharamshala is truly special all year round. If you’re planning to visit this delightful city, here’s a snapshot of each season and what it has to offer. April to mid-July basks in the beauty of summer. With temperatures averaging 22 to 35 degrees Celsius, this is the perfect time for outings to the hills. Explore Dharamshala during this pleasant period and engage in some magical sightseeing! July to September is drenched in exquisite mist. This is one of the best places to experience the monsoons in. You can avail of amazing off-season deals. A word of caution - It is advisable not to trek during this time because of landslides. October to March witnesses the gorgeous chill of the winters. With temperatures fluctuating from sub-zero to 7 degrees Celsius, you will have the opportunity to marvel at the caps of the snow studded mountains, whilst cosying up to a bonfire.
By Road – Dharamshala is well connected to destinations such as Pathankot, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Shimla and Delhi. Delhi is 520 km away. You can opt for an overnight bus, from there, which will take approximately 13 hours. Several state and private buses ply between the state of Himachal Pradesh and major cities within India. You may also choose to self-drive or hire a taxi.
By Rail – An overnight train to Pathankot Railway station is a convenient way to reach Dharamshala. Upon arrival, you can opt for a taxi or a bus to reach the city. The station is 85 km away and offers direct trains to and from major railway heads around the country. Kangra Mandir is 22 km away from the city, but its connectivity is very limited.
By Air – The airport at Gaggal is a mere 13 km away. It offers flights to and from Delhi via Air India and Spice Jet. Tourists may find Chandigarh Airport more convenient because of its connectivity, and regularity. Upon arrival, they can book a bus or a taxi to Dharamshala.
Up until the British Raj, Dharamshala was ruled by the royal Katoch Dynasty of Kangra. It was recognised as a part of the undivided province of Punjab. The city as can be seen today, came into being with the settlement of the Gurkha Rifles on the slopes of the Dhauladhar Hills. The establishment was near a Hindu sanctuary, from where Dharamshala gets its name. However, the Gurkhas referred to the region as Bhagsu, due to an ancient Shiva Temple. In 1848, the region was annexed by the British. It was utilised as a lovely summer resort. Eventually the city was hit by a devastating earthquake in 1905. The popularity of Dharamshala decreased significantly until the arrival of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan refugees in 1959.
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