Dharamsala

Dharamsala is the headquarters of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh state of India. This place is located at a height of 1330 meters . The height increases to 1770 meters at McLeodganj. This town is located by the South of Dhauladhar hills. During evening time, the snow capped Dhauladhar hills turns spectacular orange color by reflecting the sun color. This town has suffered a major earthquake in the year 1905.

How to reach Dharamsala

Dharamsala is located at a distance of 85 Km from Pathankot. It is accessible by road only but nearest airport is at Gaggal (outskirts of Kangra town) at a distance of 12 KM. Nearest broad gauge railway station is Pathankot and there is a meter gauge line from Pathankot to Joginder Nagar and one can get down at Kangra station and take a bus for 18 KM to reach Dharamsala town.

This town is well connected to many other cities of Himachal Pradesh and other near by towns. Here is the list of distances by road from different places to Dharamsala.

From Dharamsala to Pathankot 83 Km
From Dharamsala to Delhi 526 Km
From Dharamsala to Jalandhar 160 Km
From Dharamsala to Chandigarh 242 Km
From Dharamsala to Kangra 18 Km
From Dharamsala to Jawalamukhi 53 Km
From Dharamsala to Manali 242 Km
From Dharamsala to Kulu 205 Km
From Dharamsala to Mandi 134 Km
From Dharamsala to Palampur 34 Km
From Dharamsala to Chamunda 16 Km

There is an Indian railway ticket booking counter at Dharamsala main market center inside the HP tourism office cum hotel complex.

Climate in summer is very pleasant , so light cotton cloth is enough but in winter heavy woolen dress are must here.

Places to visit:

Kangra Art Museum: This museum closes at 5 PM and it houses the original throne of Raja Sansar Chand. There are samples of famous Kangra miniature paintings displayed here.

McLeodganj

The upper Dharamsala is known as McLeodganj. Famous for the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He is the spiritual leader of the Tibetans so it is popularly know as Little Lasa. Near the residence of Dalai Lama there is a famous Buddha temple.
You can easily spot several Buddhist Monks wearing Maroon colour dresses on the streets.
There is a flea market selling Tibetan stuffs , you will get a small prayer wheel to big painting to carry home.
In the year 1960 Indian government had offered Dalai Lama to settle down at Dharamsala. Along with many of his followers Dalai Lama established his monastery and stayed here.

Church of St. John

This is where Lord Elgin the viceroy of India died in 1963. This is an old church built in 1852 AD is known for its unique gothic character. This is located at a height of 1750 meters.

Waterfall near McLeodganj

There is a waterfall at McLeodganj. The peaceful atmosphere with the sound of waterfall has made this place famous for yoga training and meditation centers.

Bhagsunath

Located at a distance of 11 KM there is the temple of Bhagsunath.

Chinmaya Tapovan

At a distance of 10 Km this peace full place was created by Late Swami Chinmayananda as a meditation and health centre.

Masroor temple

Rock cut temple located at a distance of 40 Km , this famous temple crafts are dedicated to Lord Ram, Laxman and Devi Sita.

Yol Camp

This is the cantonment town houses the army

Dal Lake

This is a small but beautiful lake at McLeodganj surrounded by Deodar trees (Himalayan Dedar) and nearby snow capped mountains adds beauty to this place. A fair is held during September every year and devotees take holy dip in the lake. There is a famous Durgeshwara Mahadev temple by the side of the lake.

There are many other temples and other beautiful places around. Visit the temples of Kangra to know more.

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This article is written by go2india.in team.

Your Rating

go2india.in

suramya	25-06-2008
It was a very lovely place.

gaurav	23-04-2009
can anybody tell me how to go Dharamshala from Delhi.... which train will go there from Delhi and how much time it will take.... Dalhousie or Dharam shala wich is better place to visit

RAVINDER SHARMA	21-06-2010
I LOVE HIMACHAL PRADESH PALAMPUR IS BEST

JP Singh	08-07-2010
I LOVE HIMACHAL PRADESH DALHOUSIE & DHARAMSALA IS THE BEST PLACE

jagtar	27-08-2010
where the cricket ground in dharamshala?

jitender kumar	18-06-2011
Dharamshala is the place where u enjoy the tour in hill station. there is a place named mcleodganj where the chilled swimmingpool is seen. i go there just now and i bath in it. it is very chill

Soumitra Choudhury	20-07-2011
We are making a plan to visit Dharamsala from Jalandhar , can any body tell me how much the taxi charges.

ashok	09-12-2011
i like himachal pradesh in rohtang pass & bijali mahadev temple

vikas	04-05-2012
i love all himachal pradesh, it gives me goose bumps as i hear himachal pradesh bcz i just lovvvvvve ittt..!! Though all himachal is very beautiful from manali to shimla, from dharamshala to dalhousie. I had been to Dalhousie last year on my honeymoon. i went to khajiar, chamba, lake point, rock garden. These all places are closer to dalhousie. I loved my journey so much and want to go again. Its beautifull.

abhilash	12-06-2012
i love himachal pradesh...........................

vicky	11-10-2012
we love bike race from jalandhar to mcleodganj going on this saturday also yiippppeeeeeee

Joginder Pal	22-10-2012
Any body to guide which is better Road route by self driven car. Jalandhar to Dharamshala, via Hoshiarpur or Via Pathankot

rahul	15-09-2013
its very nice place so pls enjoy dharamshala good calimate so pls enjoy this view

rashpal sharma	24-04-2014
Himachalpradesh is really really great place to visit especially in June- August. I along with my friend is a regular visitor of HP.