Dharamshala
City Information
Dharamshala stands at the foot of
snow wrapped lofty Dhauladhar ranges and offers
a magnificent view of snowy peaks, deodar
and pine forests, tea gardens and beautiful
hills. Dharamshala with a number of Tibetan
settlements and the residence of the spiritual
and temporal leader of the Tibetan people,
the Noble Laureate His Holiness the Dalai
Lama, now really has become a place of international
significance. Today, Dharamshala in the north
Indian State of Himachal Pradesh is home to
a large Tibetan Community who have made Dharamshala
their home.
Dharamsala is an important township of Kangra
district in the state of Himachal Pradesh
in the northern part of India. 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. Dharamsala's altitude varies
between 1,250 metres (4,400 ft) and 2,000
metres (6,560ft) . The glittering rays of
the sun fall upon the glossy snow and cast
their reflections back in the valley in all
the seven colours of the rainbow, beckowning
people on.
General Information
Location : In district Kangra,
in the the heart of Dhauladhar range.
Best buys : Tibetan handicrafts,
carpets.
Best hangouts : Mcleod Ganj,
Triund, Kareri, Dal Lake.
Best activities : Trekking
Nearby Tourist Destinations :
Chandigarh, Delhi, Nangal, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur,
Mandi, Jwalamukhi, Kullu, Manali, Chamba and
Shimla.
Time to visit : Throughout
the year
Main
Sightseeing of Dharamshala
McLeod Ganj
The arrival of the Tibetan spiritual leader,
the Dalai Lama, along with thousands of
refugees to Dharamshala in 1959 made this
place more lively. A number of Tibetan settlements
with religious education and other rehabilitation
centres have emerged all over Mcleodganj.
Today, Mcleodganj is a major Buddhist centre
of pilgrimage and learning. McLeodganj's
main attractions are : Tsuglagkhang
or Dalai Lama's Temple, is the
most important Buddhist monument in Mcleod
Ganj. Although a relatively modest structure,
it enshrines three magnificient images,
including an enormous gilt statue of Shakyamuni,
statues of Avalokitesvara and Padamasambhava,
or Guru Rinpoche, the Indian scholar who
introduced Buddhism and Tantric teachings
to Tibet in the 8th century; Dip
Tse - Chok Ling Gompa, this beautiful
little gompa lies at the bottom of a steep
track which leads off the laneway past the
Om Guest House. The main prayer hall houses
an image of Shakyamuni, as well as two enormous
drums covered in goat skin and painted around
the rim, which were made by monks at the
gompa. Also here are some superb butter
sculptures, which are made during Losar.
Fine and detailed sand mandalas are also
made here; Library of Tibetan Work,
houses Tibet's rich literary heritage, containing
about 40% of Tibet's original manuscripts,
as well as an excellent general reference
library on the Himalayan regions and a photographic
archive; Tibetan Medical & Astrological
Institute is at Gangchen Kyishong,
about five minutes walk below the main entrance
to the library area. There is a museum,
library, research unit and a college at
which Tibetan medicine and astrology is
taught. The museum has a well displayed
exhibition of materials used in Tibetan
medicines.
Bhagsunag Waterfall
The fall is about 11 km. from Dharamshala
town, known for its old temple, a fresh
water spring, water falls and slate quarries.
This spot can be easily accessed by road.
The Bhagsunag fall is one of the major attractions
of Mcleodganj.
St. John's Church
At a distance of 8 km. from Dharamshala,
the church lies amidst the deodar forest
between Mcleod Ganj and Forsyth Ganj. The
church houses a monument dedicated to Lord
Elgin, one of the viceroys of India, who
died at Chauntra ( Mandi district ) and
was buried here in 1863 A.D.
Dharamkot Village
About 14 km. from Dharamshala, Dharamkot
is situated on the crest of a hill. This
favourite picnic spot offers a panoramic
view of the Kangra valley and the snow clad
Dhauladhar ranges. One can easily reach
Dharamkot by a simple trek from Bhagsu.
En route there are several small restaurant
type of shops offering quick relaxation
and beverages.
War Memorial
The War Memorial is situated in Dharamshala
town, near the entry point to Dharamshala
commemorates. This was built in the memory
of those who fought valiantly for the honour
and defence of the mother land. The place
is ideally located amid the pine forest.
There is also a cafe just close to War Memorial
serving fast food and beverages.
Kunal Pathari
Around 3 km from Dharamshala is Kotwali
Bazar, a level walk from where leads upto
the rock temple of the local goddess. This
is an amazing place to visit in Dharamshala.
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Excursions
from Dharamshala
Baijnath : The small town
of Baijnath, 46 kms south-east of Dharamsala,
is an important pilgrimage place due to its
ancient stone Baidyanath temple, sacred to
Shiva as lord of the Physicians. The temple
features intricate carvings on the exterior
walls, and the inner sanctum enshrines one
of India's 12 jyoti linga. Large number of
pilgrims make their way here for the Shivaratri
festival in late February/early March. The
temple is good example of the Nagari style
of architecture.
Tashijong Gompa : This friendly
gompa, 5 kms north-west of Baijnath, is the
focus of a small Drukpa Kagyud community of
150 Tibetan monks and 400 refugees. The monastery
complex has several halls you can visit and
there is a carpet making, thangka painting
and wood carving cooperative here. Tashijong
village is a 2 kms walk north from the main
Palampur to Baijnath road.
Palampur : A pleasant little
town surrounded by tea plantations, Palampur
is 30 kms south-east of Dharamsala and stands
at 1260m. A four day trek takes you from Palampur
to Holi via the Waru La, or in a shorter walk
you can visit the Bundla Chasm, just outside
of town, where a waterfall drops into the
Bundla stream.
Chamunda Devi Temple : From
Palampur the road passes through tea plantations
before descending to the colorful Chamunda
Devi temple complex on the bank of the Baner
River, 10 kms to the west. Chamunda is a particularly
wrathful form of Durga, the idol in the main
temple is considered so sacred that it is
completely hidden beneath a red cloth.
Kangra Art Museum : This
museum has miniature paintings from the Kangra
school of art, which flourished in the Kangra
valley during the 17th century, it also has
elaborately embroidered costumes of Kangra
people, woodcarvings and tribal jewellery.
Jawalamukhi : 34 kms south
of Kangra is the temple of Jawalamukhi, the
goddess of light. Pilgrims descend into a
tiny square chamber where a priest, while
intoning a blessing on their behalf, ignites
natural gas emanating from a copper pipe,
from which a blue flame, worshipped as the
manifestation of the goddess, briefly flares.
The temple is one of the most sacred sites
in the Kangra valley and is topped by a golden
dome and spire, the legacies of Ranjit Singh
and the Mughal emperor Akbar. Under the shadow
of the great rock wall of Dhaula Dhar , where
wander those legendary shephardesses, the
Gaddi maidens, immediately above Dharamsala
rises one of the main spurs of the Himalayas,
the dark, pine-covered mountain-side reaching
out towards the upper peaks that soar ithe
regions of eternal snow.
How
to reach Dharamshala ?
By Air : Gaggal is the nearest
airport located 15 km. from Dharamshala. Other
airports having regular service are : Jammu
200 km., Amritsar 210 km. and Chandigarh 260
km.
By Road : The Himachal Road
Transport Corporation (HRTC) has a good road
network throught the state and connectivity
with other part of India.
By Rail : Nearest broad
gauge railhead is Pathankot 95 km. A narrow
gauge railway line between Pathankot and Jogindernagar
passes through Kangra, 17 km. from Dharamshala
.
