Dharamshala truly is a paradise on earth! It is situated at an altitude between 4100 ft. to 5085 ft. above sea level and overlooking the plains and surrounded by dense pine trees, deodar forests, numerous streams and a pleasant atmosphere. The hill station is set against a backdrop of the majestic Dhauladhar mountains and perched high on the scenic slopes of the Kangra Valley making travellers spellbound for its spectacular beauty. The glory of the mother nature, unexplored ancient heritage sites and the presence of great Tibetan Buddhism culture has made this quaint hill station one of the most sought after travel destinations in India.
Popular Attractions
McLeodganj
A suburb in the state of Himachal Pradesh, McLeodganj is also known as the “Little Lhasa”. The city got its nickname owing to the fact that a large population of Tibetans residing here. It is also the headquarters of the famous Tibetan government-in-exile, and home to various popular Tibetan sites dot this place. The scenic hill station offers stunning views of the mountains.
The Norbulingka Institute
Enter into a different world as you step inside the institute. Spend hours exploring the museums, the monastery, the beautifully done Japanese styled gardens, the traditional Tibetan architecture. There is so much to see and do here.
Kangra Valley
Lovely and picturesque Kangra valley is a beautiful gorge nestled amidst lush greenery and misty mountains. This is one of the most scenic treks in Dharamsala and should not be missed.
Masroor Rock Cut Temples
The temple of beautiful 8th century temple, also known as the Himalayan Pyramid, is meticulously carved out from a single coplossal rock. There are 15 temples in the complex. These monolithic rock structures stand as a strong contender for the nomination of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kangra Fort
Located in the outskirts of Kangra, Kangra Fort is a magnanimous structure built by the royal family of Kangra and is one of the largest, oldest and marvelous forts in India. The fort has been mentioned in the war records of Alexander dating to 4th century.
Tsuglakhang Temple Complex
It is the official residence of the Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama. Thousands of pilgrims visit the place seeking the blessings of the leader. The temple complex houses a Tibetan Museum, the Namgyal Gompa or Monastery, Kalachakra Temple and is ornate with lovely paintings, traditional Tibetan carvings and architecture.
Tea Gardens
It is a well known fact that India is the second largest producer of tea in the world. In Dharamshala one can visit the tea plantations on the Dharamshala -McLeodganj road. The aromatic mist of the tea leaves along with the verdant scenery all around is sufficient to mesmerize the sense and should be on your to do list to Dharamshala . One can also visit the Dharamshala Tea Company to learn everything about tea processing and production.
Losel Museum
It has a collection of over 150 dolls dressed in different traditional Tibetan costumes. They are arranged to depict interesting scenes from the daily lives of the Tibetan people.
Triund Trek
It is a crest in the Dhauladhar ranges of the Himalayas famous for tourists activites including a 9 km trek from Mcleodganj. The Triund Hills are also known as the crown jewel of Dharamshala. Look forward to a lot of Buddhist manuscripts (around 80,000 of them) and archives in the library.
Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
The library was founded by the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso and is one of the world’s most important libraries of Tibetan work.
Food
Dharamshala provides with some famous and popular eating joints that makes you familiar with the real taste of Tibet. The smell of Tibet noodles and Thukpa (both are a must try) will satisfy your taste buds.
Souvenirs to take home
Take a trip to McLeodganj for delightful Tibetan handicrafts. Visit Kotwali Bazaar for rugs and carpets that would make for a colourful addition to your home decor. Tibetan carpets and artifacts, wooden carvings, silk and woolen scarves among others make for a great souvenir.
Best time to visit Dharamsala
It is good to visit Dharamshala any time of the year, though the ideal season will be late February and March. It is the time when Losar, a Tibetan festival to mark the Tibetan New Year is celebrated.
If you are looking for snow, winter months are the best. Summer months are better for sight-seeing, trekking, mountain climbing and other activities.
Nearby major towns / cities from Dharamshala
Chandigarh: 249 Km
Delhi: 526 km
Manali: 242 km
Jalandhar: 160 km
Dharamshala is also popular with backpackers and adventure lovers. So, if you are looking for some adrenaline pumping activity, indulge in activities such as paragliding, camping and trekking.
There are plethora of other sites to explore in this old town, besides the aforementioned list. And for a wanderlust, this place is nothing less than a paradise. Also, Dharamshala is at its peak tourist season in summer and the season is just right now to explore.
Make your Dharamsala travel dream come true with these highly recommended tours
