Dharamsala
Experience the beautiful town of Dharamsala.
Dharamsala Tourism
Dharamsala, formerly known as Bhagsu, is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It falls in the Kangra district. The city has been selected as one of the hundred smart cities under the Smart Cities Mission, by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dharamsala is the second capital of Himachal Pradesh along with Shimla. The population of the town is 53,543. The place is surrounded by dense forest and the Dhauladhar Mountains. And is e of the main tourist attractions. The suburbs include Mcleodganj, Dharamkot, Bhagsunath, Naddi, Dari etc. The place has beautiful tea gardens and produce teas like black tea, green tea, white tea, oolong tea, Kashmiri Kahwa and Masala chai. The term Dharamsala mean rest house for spiritual pilgrims. The place was the residence of Dalai Lama, the Tibetan monk in exile. The city is devided in upper and lower division, the lower division is the Dharamsala town and the upper division is known as Mcleodganj. The most favourable season for visiting the place is during summer as during winters, the temperature rises enormously however the place looks most beautiful at that time. It is filled with bungalows, churches, monasteries, cantonments and has beautiful scenic view. The place never fails to impress its tourists as it is one of the most tranquil destinations of North India which has a mixture of both natural scenic beauty and culture. The most popular attractions of the place are St. John Church, Dal Lake, Headquarters of Dalai Lama, Tibetan Museum, War Memorial, Dharamsala Cricket Stadium etc.
Things to do in Dharamsala
1.Tibet museum, Mcleodganj
3 kilometres from city centre
Tibet Museum, initially known as Tibetan National Commemoration and Documentation Cente...
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2.Gyuto Monastery
6 kilometres from city centre
Gyuto Monastery was established for the promotion and preservation of the Tantric teach...
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3.Tsuglagkhang, Mcleodganj
1 kilometres from city centre
Tsuglagkhang is the place where Dalai Lama resides. It is one of the most important pla...
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4.Bhagsu falls
3 kilometres from city centre
Bhagsu falls is located at a distance of around 11 km from Dharmasala. There is an old ...
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5.Jwalamukhi Devi Temple
38 kilometres from city centre
Jwalamukhi Devi Temple is devoted to goddess Jwalamukhi, the deity of flaming face. The...
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6.Dharamshala Cricket Stadium
2 kilometres from city centre
Dharamsala Cricket Stadium, also known as Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium,...
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7.Tea gardens
23 kilometres from city centre
Dharamsala has the smallest tea region and has beautiful tea gardens. There is good qua...
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8.St. John in the Wilderness Church
3 kilometres from city centre
St. John in the Wilderness Church is a church located near Dharamsala. It is dedicated ...
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9.Namgyal Monastery, Mcleodganj
2 kilometres from city centre
Namgyal Monastery, also known as Dalai Lama’s Temple, is located in Mcleodganj. It is t...
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10.War Memorial
2 kilometres from city centre
War Memorial is located at the entry point of Dharamsala to honour all those who fought...
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12.Trekking
1533 kilometres from city centre
There are many trekking trails that start from Dharamsala. The trekkers have to cross t...
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13.Bhagsu nath temple
2 kilometres from city centre
Bhagsunath Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located at a distance of a...
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14.Dal lake and Nadi
3 kilometres from city centre
Dal Lake is located around 11 km away from Dharamsala. The lake is covered with trees a...
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15.Kangra art museum
1 kilometres from city centre
Kangra Art Museum is located at the center of Dharamsala. The museum has great collecti...
Read moreDharamsala Photos
Food
Dharamsala offers a wide range of dishes, ranging from Italian, Belgian, Korean, and Japanese to the local dishes which are Tibetan and Himachali. The place has several stalls that sell steam and fried momos, which are stuffed with potato, cabbage, spinach, radish, and may include chicken or pork. It is served with chilli sauce. Noodle is also a popular dish of the place. The must try dishes of the place are Thukpa, momos, locally known as Tingmo, Baklebs and Lang Phing. Honey ginger lemon tea is also a speciality of the place.
Shopping
There are few places which can be visited in Dharamsala by the shopaholics. Kotwali Bazaar is one of them where people can get Buddha sculptures, handicrafts, rugs, Tibetan carpets, shawls etc. Tibetan Handicraft Center was established in 1963 and provides a livelihood to several people of that place. Green Shop is a shop which deals with eco-friendly products and is run by the Tibetan Welfare Office. Village boutique is a book shop where the bookworms can find their desired books. The place is also known for its pashmina shawls and singing bowls, known for the health benefits, woollen scarves, beds and lamps.
How to reach
Dharamsala does not have an airport or a railway station of its own. The place is however well connected by roads to Delhi and other North Indian cities.
How to Reach by Flight
Dharamsala does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airport is at Gaggal, which is located at a distance of around 13 km from the place. However the nearest International airport is at Delhi and the people can take domestic flights to reach Gaggal. There are taxi and bus services available at the airport.
How to Reach by Train
The pace does not have a railway station of its own. The nearest railway station is at Pathankot, which is located at a distance of around 85 km from Dharamsala. There are taxi and bus services available from the railway station. There is a small railway station at Kangra Mandir, which is located at a distance of around 20 km from the place however the major trains do not halt at this station and thus it cannot be availed.
How to Reach by Bus
There are state-run buses as well as those owned by private agencies. These buses help to connect the major cities of North India to Dharamsala. The place is at a distance of around 500 km from Delhi and thus can be reached by buses. There is a bus terminal in Lower Dharamsala, however the Haryana Road Transport Corporation buses go to the main square of Mcleodganj.
How to Reach by Road
Dharamsala is well connected to several cities by the roadways. The place is located at a distance of around 500 km from Delhi, around 240 km from Shimla, around 250 km from Chandigarh, around 190 km from Jalandhar and around 200 km from Amritsar.
How to travel within
Taxis and buses are available to travel from one place to another in Dharamsala. Walking is also another good option to explore the place.
Festival
The place has a variety of cultures like Hinduism, Buddhism and Gaddis. The people of the town celebrate different kinds of festivals including Haldi festival, which involves dancing, family gathering and enjoying around the bonfire, Lohri Festival, which is celebrated in the month of January and is an agricultural festival, Losar Festival, which is the Tibetan New Year and is celebrated in the month of February and March, International Himalayan Festival, is a three day festival celebrated in December to honour Dalai Lama and several cultural programmes are performed. Saka Dawa festival is celebrated to honour Buddha. Prashar fair is celebrated on the banks of Prakash River to welcome summer. It is a two day long festival celebrated in the month of June. Dal Fair is yet another festival celebrated in the town in the month of August or September when the devotees dip in the holy Dal Lake water.
Dharamsala Itinerary
Day 1- After reaching the Jammu airport proceed towards Dharamsala. Then visit the Tea Gardens, Bhagsu Falls, Bhagsu nath Temple and Dharamshala Cricket Stadium.
Day 2- After breakfast, leave for Dal Lake and Nadi and then visit the Gyuto Monastery and Jwalamukhi Devi Temple.
Day 3- After breakfast leave for Mangyal Mnastery, St John in the Wilderness Church, Tibet museum and Tsuglagkhang at Mcleodganj.
Day 4- After breakfast leave for Kangra art museum, Triund and war memorial. After visiting these places, go for shopping.
Day 5- After breakfast leave for trekking.
