Freeindia > Tourism > Shimla - Kullu - Dharmasala > Dharmasala
Introduction
Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh is today known for its Tibetan settlements and the Headquarters of the Dalai Lama in India. It is a convenient starting point for trips to the Kangra Valley, Palkampur, Baijnath, Jwalamukhi, etc. Positioned as it is on a spur of the Dhauladhar range, it seems to be enfolded by mountains on three sides with the Valley stretching below on the fourth.
Dharamsala is an amalgam of many cultures and seems to be a mini world in itself.
Freeindia > Tourism > Shimla - Kullu - Dharmasala > Dharmasala
General Information
Area
2881Acres
Altitude
Between 1,250 meters and 1,982 meters
Temperature
Max in June (38 c) Min.in. January (0 c)
Best Season
March 15 to June 30 and September 1 to November
30
Clothing
Summer
Tropical
Winter
Woolens and Cottons
STD Code
01892
Freeindia > Tourism > Shimla - Kullu - Dharmasala > Dharmasala
How To Get There
Air
Dharamsala can be approached by air from Delhi. The nearest airport is 13 km. away at Goggla.
Rail
Up to Pathankot by broad gauge line (85 km) by road and then up to Kangra by narrow gauge line. The nearest railway station is Kangra Mandir (22 km).
Road
Direct and regular bus services operate from Delhi via Chandigarh, Kiratpur and Bilaspur. Taxis are also available.
Road Distances - Some important road distances are:
Delhi 526 km
Shimla 280 km
Manali 260 km
Pathankot 85 km
Freeindia > Tourism > Shimla - Kullu - Dharmasala > Dharmasala
Tourist Facilities
Tourist Taxis / Auto-rickshaws
Available
Bus Services
Regular bus services operate between Dharamsala Bus Stand and nearby places. Maxi-cabs also available.
TRAVEL / EXCURSION AGENTS
East West Travels
Tel 23122
Fax 24266
Dharamsala Tours & Travels
Tel 23040
Krishna Travels
Tel 22932, 25148
Micky's Tours & Travels
Tel 23122
Freeindia > Tourism > Shimla - Kullu - Dharmasala > Dharmasala
Where To Stay
HOTELS - (Government Approved)
HPTDC HOTELS
Dhauladhar
Kotwali Bazar
Tel 24926-27
Fax 24212
Downtown (Lower Dharamsala)
Bhagsu
Mc Leodganj
Tel 21091-92
Upper Dharamsala
Yatri Niwas
Near District Hospital
Tel 23163
Lower Dharamsala
For further details, contact your nearest Govt. of India Tourist Office or State Tourist Office.
Freeindia > Tourism > Shimla - Kullu - Dharmasala > Dharmasala
What To See
Bhagsunath
11 km. It has an old temple, a spring, slate quarries and a small yet beautiful waterfall. A popular picnic spot.
Dall Lake
11 km. The lake lies amidst hills and stately fir trees.
Dharamkot
11 km. Situated on a hill, this picnic spot affords a panoramic view of the Kangra district and Dhauladhar.
Triund
2,827 metres and 17 km. Triund lies at the foot of the perpetually snowclad Dhauladhar. The snow line starts at IIaq, 5 km from Triund. It affords a breath-taking view of the snow above and the valley below.
Kareri
1,983 metres, Kareri is 22 km from Kotwali Bazar. 13 km from the Kareri Rest House is Kareri lake, surrounded by green meadows, oak and pine trees.
Freeindia > Tourism > Shimla - Kullu - Dharmasala > Dharmasala
Chamunda. Devi
15 km by a motorable road, is the village Dadh, with an excellent view of Dhauladhar on three sides and the Baner Khud and Pathiar and Lahla Forests. The famous Chamunda Devi Temple is located here.
Lord Elgin's Memorial
8 km. The Church of St. John in the wilderness has a monument to Lord Elgin, Viceroy of India, who died at Dharamsala and was buried here in 1863.
Kangra
17 km. Overlooking the Ban Ganga torrent, this town is famous for its temples. The most notable is the shrine dedicated to the Goddess Brijeshwari.
Kangra was the capital of a great hill state; its most renowned ruler was Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch, a great patron of art. The miniature and Rajput Schools of hill painting flourished in his reign.
Freeindia > Tourism > Shimla - Kullu - Dharmasala > Dharmasala
Jwalamukhi Temple
56 km. The famous temple of Jwalamukhi, the flame Goddess, is one of the most popular Hindu temples in northern India. Two important fairs are held here during the Navratras in early April and mid-October. A shining blue flame issues from the rock sanctum and is fed constantly by the priests. The Mogul Emperor Akbar was a devotee of the goddess and presented a golden dome to this temple. There is no idol of any kind and the flame is treated as a manifestation of the goddess. This holy place is recognized as one of 51 seats of the Shakti Peeth.
Nadaunbr>
65 km. A few kilometres beyond Jwalamukhi is Nadaun, a lovely place for a quiet week-end. The Beas flows nearby and provides excellent fishing. There is an old palace and a temple of Shiva. Surrounded on all sides by tea gardens, Palampur enjoys a salubrious climate and provides some lovely walks. Neughal Khud is a 305-metre chasm, awe-inspiring during the rains when its thundering water carries away huge boulders.
Sujanpur Tira
80 km. A historic town famous for Kangra paintings of the time of Raja Sansar Chand. There is an old palace open to visitors. The Holi festival at Sujanpur is celebrated decoratively.
Freeindia > Tourism > Shimla - Kullu - Dharmasala > Dharmasala
Kunal Pathri
3 km. A level walk from Kotwali Bazar leads up to the rock temple of the local goddess.
Machhrial and Tatwani
25 km. There are hot springs at Tatwani. On the way there is a waterfall at Machhrial, twice as big as that at Bhagsunath.
Nurpur
95 km. from Dharamsala and 24 km. from Pathankot, Nurpur has an old fort and temple to Baij Raj. Nurpuri shawls are a good buy.
Baijnath
40 km. from Dharamsala and 15 km. from Palampur, Baijnath is located almost at the end of the main Kangra Valley. A famous temple dedicated to Lord Vaidyanath is found here. The rest house commands an excellent view of the hills and the valley. Binwah Khud offers good fishing.
Dehra Gopipur
56 km Dehra Gopipur is situated on the banks of the Beas which provides good fishing.
Freeindia > Tourism > Shimla - Kullu - Dharmasala > Dharmasala
Where & What To Buy
Kangra: woollen, blankets, shawls, bamboo furniture, toys.
Jwalamukhi: incense sticks,
Nagrota Bagwan: honey.
Palampur: Carpets
Freeindia > Tourism > Shimla - Kullu - Dharmasala > Dharmasala
Sports Activities
Fishing:
The Kangra Valley's extensive waterways offer excellent fishing, the best catch being mahseer, a fish which thrives in rapidly flowing water, mali, saul, bachwa, and shingara.
Trekking :
Dharamsala, Dharamkot - Triund - Dharamsala (45 km).
Dharamsala - Kahniara - Aghanijar - Mahade - Dharamsala (26 km).
Dharamsala - Chamunda Devi Dadh - Dharamsala (29 km).
Dharamsala - Bhagsunath - Dharamsala (22 km).
Dharamsala - Dall Lake - Dharamsala (22 km )
Dharamsala - Kareri - Dharamsala (35 km).
All these treks can be undertaken in a day by making an early start. Bhagsunath and the Dall Lake lie at a distance of 2 km and 3 km respectively from McLeodganj and can be visited on the same day.
Wildlife :
Black bear, goral, ibex, musk deer, snow pheasant, partridge.
Freeindia > Tourism > Shimla - Kullu - Dharmasala > Dharmasala
Torist Information Centre
Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation
Kotwali Bazar
Tel 24928
Fax 24212
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