Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh

Dharamsala, spiritual place situated between 1,250 m and 2,000 m altitude in Himachal Pradesh, divided into two parts, Dharamsala is the lower section, three km (10 km by road) away from it's higher settlement, McLeodganj, which is 500 m above. It is home the home of his holiness Dalai Lama, spiritual head of the Buddhists, who is now quartered at McLeodganj. Also known as `Little Lhasa', it is an enchanting world where spinning prayer wheels and fluttering prayer flags spread the message of peace and universal harmony. It is a beautiful town set amidst forests of pine. It is a hill station with a difference- for the several separate areas of the town are located at the different levels up a spur of the Dhauladhar range- the "white mountains". Dharamsala is a hill station with great variations not only in levels and temperature but also in character. Temperature varies between 35 degree Celsius in summer to zero degree in winter. The place is pleasant in summer and cold in winter.

Suggested clothing - cotton and tropical in summer, heavy woolens and jackets in winter. Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation's (HPTDC) hotels and other private hotels and guest houses, PWD and Forest Rest Houses are available in and around the place. It's population size is 8,600. It receives annual rainfall of 2,900-3,800 mm, mostly in June-September.

How to reach there:

It is 514 km from Delhi, 239 km from Chandigarh, 214 km from Kullu, 235 km from Shimla, 119 km from Dalhousie 192 km from Chamba, 85 km from Pathankot, 166 km from Jallandhar, and 147 km from Mandi.

Air: Jagson Airlines flies to Delhi and Kullu from Kangra airport at Gaggal, 15 km from Dharamsala.

Rail: Nearest narrow gauge railhead is 17 km away and broad gauge railhead at Pathankot is 90 km away, which connects all major cities.

Road: It is well connected by road. The main bus stand is in Dharamsala. All long distance buses leave from here; most of the buses from McLeodganj only ferry passengers to the Dharamsala bus stand.

What to see:

The Church of St John-in-the-Widerness: It is a beautiful church with stained glass windows. A former Viceroy, Lord Elgin is buried in it's churchyard according to his wish as it reminded him of his native Scotland. It is a short distance below McLeodganj on the way to Forsythganj and is open from 10 am to 5 pm.

Namgyal Monastery: at McLeodganj with the Centre of Tibetan Studies is known as little Lhasa. It is a 5 minutes walk from the main bazaar, opposite the Dalai Lama's residence.

Kangra Art Museum: This museum is in Dharamsala, down the road from the tourist office. It houses miniatures paintings from the famous Kangra school of art, which flourished in the Kangra Valley in the 17th century. It's open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.

Trekking: Treks of 5-8 days duration are viable from May to October. Some of the interesting treks are :-

Dharamsala to Chamba over Balanijot; the Minkiani Pass; Indrahar Pass and Bhimghasutri Pass.

Dharamsala to Holi and then to Manimahesh over the Talang Pass.

The Regional Mountaineering Centre at Dharamsala with a branch at Bharmaur provides information on trek routes, maps, technical knowhow and equipment. They also organize adventure courses.

Angling: Contact the local Fisheries office at Dharamsala for licences. Season lasts from 1st June to 31st July.

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