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INTRODUCTION

Dharamshala is a hill station with great variations in altitudes, temperature and character, making it a hot favourite for the tourists. Situated at a wonderful location, Dharamshala is a beautiful and a peaceful town, spread at a different levels and surrounded by forests and pine. Accessible from the broad gauge line at Pathankot, Dharamashala provides a range of interesting activities for the visitors with the lower end of the town acting as a busy commercial part of the city, while the upper suburbs with charming old world old world names like Forystheganj and Macleodganj are not too far below the snowline. The massive snow capped peaks of the Dhauladhars rise like a giant waves of a frozen ocean, providing the town with a breathtaking view. 

ORIENTATION

Dharamshala is situated at an altitude of about 4000 meters perched in the valleys of Kangra.

Dharamshala is also popularly referred as Little Lhasa after the Tibetan immigrants to this hill station. The word Dharamshala means, an inn attached to a temple. The history of Dharamshala talks both about by the heritage of both Hinduism and Buddhism. In the 8th century the place was occupied by the Tibetan immigrants which led to the coming up of many monastries here,buthowever it was soon overtaken by the Hindu temples.Dharamshala was totally under the control of the British in 1848 and during their period of reign they had this town as ther summer retreat.After the British it came under the control of the Kangra rulers whose glory was washed away along with the loss of the earthquake in 1905.It took time to slowly get back to normalcy, and it really gained prominence only after the arrival of Dalai from Tibet.

TIME TO VISIT

The ideal time t visit Dharamshala is anywhere between Mid-May To Mid-October.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

PRASHAR FAIR

This is a fair welcoming the summer especially by the people of Shimla and Dharamshala.This festival is entertained by a variety of cultural events.

KANGRA FESTIVAL

This festival falls in the month of June and is celebrated with great pomp in the Kangra valley.

PLACES OF INTEREST

KANGRA VALLEY

This is supposed to be the most beautiful valley in the range of Himachal Pradesh.It is and extension of the Dhauladhar range gently sloping down it.Kangra Valley is rich of pine, orchards, green tea gardens and terraced fields.

MCLEOD GANJ

The Dalai Lama resides in Mcleod Ganj and this has turned Dharamshala into the Buddhist capital of the world.It has the school of the Tibetian studies with rare manuscripts and ancient texts, the Tibetan Institute for the performing arts and Handicrafts centre. McLeod Ganj is situated opposite the present abode of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.

WAR MEMORIAL

This War Memorial is constructed in the memory of brave sons of Dharamshala who died in different action since 1947, is worth a visit. It is situated near the entry point to Dharamsala and people offer prayer here.

 TRIUND

Triund is a popular trekking spot at an altitude of 2827 m and 17km from Dharamsala.Triund is situated at the foot hill of the snow clad Dhauladhar valley.

KUNNAL PATHRI

Kunnal Pathri is a rock temple which houses the local goddess. Number of localities and the tourists visit this temple for it is just 3-km level walk from Kotwali Bazaar.

LORD ELIGIN'S MEMORIAL

Lord Eligin's Memorial is built in honour of the eighth Scottish Viceroy,Lord Elgin who died in Dharamshala.According to his wish he was buried in the Church of St. John and one can get to see his monument in the campus of the church.

DAL LAKE

Dharamsala.This Lake is amidst of fir trees and it is from here, where most of the excursions and trekking starts.

 THE SHRINE OF BHAGASUNATH

The shrine of Bhagasunath is famous for its ancient temple. It is 11km from lower town. Slate quarries are found here. There is a tank and spring which are considered sacred by the Hindus.

CHUMUNDA DEVI

The presiding deity of this temple is Goddess Chamunda Devi and is situated in a place called Dadh at a distance of 15 km from Dharamsala.One can get a beautiful view of Dhauladhar from here.

TRILOKPUR

This is a famous cave temple located at a distance of about 41km from Dharamsala.The cave of this temple made of stalactite and stalagmite naturally. Ruins of palaces and Baradari of Lehna Singh Majitha, Governor of Kangra hills, are present high on the ridge of the cave.

ST.JOHN'S CHURCH

This church is situated between Mcleod Ganj and Forsyth Ganj at a distance of about 8kms from Dharamshala.It is surrounded by Deodar' forest.The eighth Scottish Viceroy, Lord Elgin who died in Dharamshala wanted be buried here in this Church and so you can get to see his monument in the campus. of St. John and one can get to see his monument in the campus of the church.

NORBULINKA INSTITUTE

Norbulinka is at a distance of about 4-kms from Dharamsala.This place has heavy Japanese influence. The Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture was founded by the Department of Religion and Culture to preserve and promote Tibetan art and culture in exile.

NURPIR FORT

Nurpur Fort is also known by the name Dhameri and is situated at a distance of about 66-km from Dharamsala.This fort had intricate carving works but now it remains more of ruins.

TSUG-LAG-KHANG

Tsug-Lag-Khang in Dharamsala is referred as the Main Temple and is right opposite to the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.Tsug-Lag-Khang is a very peaceful place and is also known as Jokhang.

PONG LAKE SANCTUARY

Pong Dam reservoir is about 115-km from Dharamsala on the Beas River and it entertains the tourists by water rides and sports. There is also a wildlife sanctuary with wild life species like Nilgai, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Buar, Clawless Otter, and Leapord.

CHINMAYA TAPOVAN

Chinmaya Tapovan  is about 10-km from the town is the tranquil ashram complex set up by the great exponent of the Gita Swami Chinmayananda.Situated on the banks of Bindu Saras,the ashram includes a 9m high image of Hanuman, a Ram temple, a meditation hall, a school and a health & recreation center.

SHOPPING

The main area for shopping in Dharamshala is the Jogibara Road which has both big and roadside shops.The most popular itenary in the shopping list includes wooden carvings for Dharamshala is full of dense forests.The other items in the list are silk and woven woolen scarves and Tibetan handicrafts.The Tibetan community has a tradition of handicrafts, which are available in profusion. Look for the trinkets and knick-knacks, which serve well for personal use, gifts and interior decoration.Nice hand-knitted sweaters and cardigans can be purchased from here.Metalwares and artifical jewellery is also quite famous here.Local pickles, squashes and jams are also very popular among the tourists of Dharamshala.

EAT OUTS A wide range of mouth-watering Tibetan delicacies like momos, thenthus, Yak butter tea and thukpa are served in the restaurants of Dharamshala. Khana Niravana - Tibetan, Indian and veggie meals. Chocolate Log Restaurant - western dishes like pizza, cakes and Chinese macaroni.  (Jogibara Road) McLio Restaurant - Indian and Western with bar is known for its extensive food and bar.  (Jogibara Road) Malabar Restaurant - Indian, Chinese and Continental delicacies.  (Jogibara Road) Carpe Diem - Western style food and Muesli   (Jogibara Road) Lung-Ta restaurant - Japanese food  (Jogibara Road) south Indian restaurant - south Indian dishes  (Bhagsu road) Himalaya restaurant - Tibetan food JJI's café -  Musli Lhamo's Croissant - Tibetan herbal teas Momo cafe -  momos Some of the other restaurants in Dharamshala which promises good food are Om Hotel, Moon Peak Coffee,Nick's Italian Kitchen,Snow Lion Restaurant, Rewa café, Taste of India and Le Vrai cafe. ACCOMODATION 1.Hotel Anand Palace Bhagsunag, Mcleodganj Upper Dharamshala-176219 Himachal Pradesh, India Tel. : 0091-1892-220507 2.Asian Plaza Hotel Main Chowk Mcleodganj H.P. India Phone 0091-1892-220855,955 Fax     0091-1892-220655 3.Hotel Himqueen Mcleodganj  H.P. India Phone -01892-221861 4.Karnika Resort Khanyara Road Dharamshala-176215 India 5.Jukaso Palace, Dharamsala Naddi (Talnoo), Upper Dharamsala - 176216 Himachal Pradesh, India Tel.: + 91-1892-221336, 221227 6.Royal Palace Resort Bhagsunag (Mcleodganj) H.P.India Phone -01892-220962 Mobile 098162 74260 Tel/Fax -1892-220962 7.Spring Valley Resort Bhagsunag, McLeodganj, Upper Dharamshala - 176 219 Distt. Kangra (H.P) India +91 1892-221248, 220802 8.Glenmoor Cottages, Above Mall Road, Upper Dharmashala, Himachal, INDIA    176219. Telephone    : 91-1892-221010 9.HOTEL VATIKA CHAMUNDA DEVI, DHARAMSHALA PHONE : 01894 252347 10.HOTLE INDIA HOUSE MCLEODGANJ PHONE 0091-1892-221457/221144 11.Hotel Snow Crest Mcloedgang Dal Lake Naddi, Dharamsala, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh India-176216. PHONE +91-1892-220543

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HOW TO REACH

BY AIR

Dharamsala can be approached by air from Delhi and the nearest Airport is at Gaggla, just 13-km away from the townNearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun (82 kms).

BY RAIL

Pathankot is 85-km and is the nearest railhead for Dharamsala. Trains from all over the country make a stop over at Pathankot and from here it is a three-hour journey to Dharamsala.

BY ROAD

From Manali too bus services are available to this place. One can drive from Delhi via Chandigarh, Kiratpur, Bilaspur and it's an 8-hours journey. From Delhi and Shimla, luxury buses ply to Dharamsala.