- Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh is famous for its natural scenic beauty and majestic Monasteries. Dharamshala is a quaint little city situated in Himachal Pradesh in the upper reaches of Kangra valley. It is situated at the foot of lush green Dhauladhar ranges with thick Deodar forests in the background. This pristine hilly state is also home to the Religious leader Dalai Lama. Dharamshala is divided into upper and lower divisions. The lower division is known as Dharamshala town and upper-division as Mcleodganj. It is also the best place to explore Tibetan culture. Be sized with majestic mountains, tall deodar trees, rich landscapes and wonderful weather, the splendor of this place is awesome.
We travel to lose ourselves and we also travel to find ourselves and we travel to slow down time and fall in love once again.-Pico Iyer.
How to reach Dharamshala
Going to Dharamshala is not at all difficult as this place is well connected with the rest of India through a network of Flights, buses, and trains.
By Air – If you plan to travel by Air, there is Gaggal airport serving Dharamshala. It is located about 15 km from the city center. Many airlines offer regular flight services from places like Delhi and Chandigarh.
By train – The nearest railway station to Dharamshala is Pathankot, which is nicely connected to other parts of the country. From Railway station you can hire a taxi or cab to reach Dharamshala.
By road – Dharamshala is the most famous city has excellent road connectivity with other states. Delhi is a base for people traveling to Dharamshala, you can either hire a cab or self-drive to this picturesque city. A journey is also very scenic and filled with beautiful sceneries. There are also Volvo overnight bus services from Delhi, which take 10 to 11 hours to reach Dharamshala.
Let’s explore more about Dharamshala and things to do around it.
McLeod Ganj
McLeod Ganj – The beautiful town of McLeod Ganj is also known as” Little Lhasa of India “because of its Tibetan population. Here you will find the mixture of both Indian and Tibetan cultures. It is dominated by Buddhist culture and also by Buddhist leaders. Here you will find Exquisite Monasteries like Namgyal Monastery, Nechung Monastery. It’s a great experience to see wise Monks and learn spirituality from their teachings. It is the best place to view stunning landscapes and also seek meditation and wisdom in peaceful Monasteries.
Kangra valley
Kangra valley is famous for its stunning views. It is amazingly striking with the valley on one side and pine forests on others. If you visit in winter you can also find snow-clad mountains which add to its charm.
Bhagsunath Temple
Bhagsunath Temple is a very popular temple in Dharamshala. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and attracts Hindu Pilgrims and tourists from all over India. It is situated at 2kms from Mcleodganj. It’s a beautiful temple that also has a pond which is believed to have magical healing properties. This temple was built by king Bhagsu. It is a great place to spend some serene time amidst lush greenery and seek blessings of God. Scenic locations and clear views make this ancient temple spectacular.
Bhagsu waterfalls
Dharamshala is filled with incredible landscapes that are too stunning to be real and also enthralling waterfalls. One of the popular waterfalls is Bhagsu waterfall, it is situated at the walkable distance from Bhagsunath temple. One has to take the trek of 15 to 20 minutes which is quite fun with splendid views of forests and tall mountains. Once you reach the waterfall, you will just feel the out of world experience. Water is crystal clear and very refreshing to the soul. Stunning views of the valley are a rare treat to the eyes. There are many eateries and cafes along the way where you can enjoy hot momos and chai while enjoying the beauty of nature. It’s also an excellent location to click some amazing pictures with a gushing waterfall as the background.
Triund Trek
“Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all happiness and growth while occurs while you are climbing it “ Andy Rooney.
Trekking is a beautiful activity to feel one with nature and enjoy the mesmerizing surroundings. Trekking in Himachal is a dream come true experience for adventure lovers. Trinud is the name of the top of the hill, it is situated in Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh. It takes 9 km of a gradual trek from Mcleodganj to reach Triund and 6 km from Bhagsunag to reach this place. It is quite an easy trek that offers spell bounded views of Kangra valley and majestic Dhauladhar ranges. At the top, the scenery is just mind-blowing with pure air, pin-drop silence, and mountains covered with snow. There are many eateries on the way so you can also enjoy hot snacks of momos and Maggie. It’s also a good idea to stay overnight here if you intend to do so bring extra woolen clothes, spending the night here is a charming experience in itself with lots of countless stars and lovely moon raising from the mountains makes an awesome sight to behold. Adventure lovers can also extend their trek to Laka glacier from here and enjoy the great sight of unlimited snow.
War Memorial –
If you are in Dharamshala you must visit War Memorial situated at the entrance of Dharamshala. This place is built in memorial of those brave soldiers of Himachal Pradesh who gave their lives while saving the county. A Memorial is made of three huge panels of black marble and the names of soldiers who fought for the country are etched in it. It’s a beautiful garden with flowers and fountains located in the pine forests of Dharamshala. Here one can also see the small basic model of a fighter plane, old battle tank, and a rocket launcher which is quite interesting. It’s an excellent place to remember our great valiant soldiers.
Kangra art museum –
Museums are an exciting place to explore the rich heritage and culture of any new place we are interested in. If you have that curious steak and want to maximize your knowledge then you must head towards the Kangra art museum. This place is doing commendable service in preserving the art and culture of Kangra. This place is situated in kotawali bazaar with splendid surroundings, an interesting place, especially for art lovers. Here you will find many miniature paintings of Kangra style, artifacts, Kangra style sculpture, and pottery, there are also many pieces of jewelry in the display to connect with rich culture and heritage of Kangra.
Food lovers Hub –
If you are in Dharamshala you must savior its local cuisine and street food which does wonders to your taste buds. The beautiful town of Mcloadganj is famous for its delicious food as it is for stunning landscapes. Each dish weather its Himachali or Chinese or Tibetan has its own distinct flavor. Momos are the most popular dish in Mcloadganj. Momos are humble dumplings, versatile, and very creative because they can be stuffed with many veggies like potatoes, carrots, and cabbage, etc. It tastes amazing when served with red chilly sauce in a cool climate. There you can find many street vendors selling tasty momos and other street food like Maggie and Thukpas. There are many cafes in Mcloadganj which serve authentic Tibetan food like Tibetan bhat , Shapta , Thukpas, and also other dishes like burgers , pizzas , soups, etc you can enjoy your food and also read books of your choice. The food is top class and ambiance is also outstanding.
Shoppers Paradise
– Shopping in Dharamshala gives you joyful experience. Mcloadganj is a perfect place to buy some authentic Tibetan things like Tibetan trinkets, artifacts, and jewelry, Tibetan mats, shawls, etc You can also buy other interesting items like beautiful paintings, Buddha statues, windchimes, etc. There are also many bookstalls where you can buy books about Buddhist. Namgyal book shop in Dharamshala is a place which sells books on Tibetan culture and beliefs, here you will also find books on Buddhism.
