Dharamshala is serene and picturesque small hill station in Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh. If you want to escape the craziness of the city life and want some peace and quiet Dharamshala the place to be. The greatest Buddhist leader, the Dalai Lama, resides in Dharamsala, which was formerly known as a British hill station during the colonial era. We stayed in a beautiful resort. It had access to the flowing streams of rives beas on its backside. we went there and sat by the river sipping a cup of hot tea enjoying the beauty of the place.
Places to visit in Dharamshala
Dharamshala Cricket Stadium
The beautiful Dharamshala Cricket Stadium is one of the highest sports venues in the world, it is situated in the Kangra valley at a height of 1,457 masl, amidst the Dhauladhar mountain range. The stadium is open for visitors even when there are no matches going on. There is no fence in front of the seating area allowing it for an unimpeded view of the game. Tibetan architectural design is used to construct the main stand.
Triund Trek
it is one best locations for trekking with fantastic paths providing picturesque views of the entire Kangra Valley. It is perched at a height of 2850 m above sea level and surrounded by rolling hills. The clean air and natural environment make Triund Hill a popular choice among those looking for a relaxing break from all the hustle-bustle.You can also enjoy night camping here and count the stars on a clear sky.
McLeod Ganj
McLeod Ganj is the residence of the Dalai Lama and a significant Tibetan settlement in India. This place is famous for tibetan culture, nature treks, greenery, ancient temples & monasteries, and british influence. It is located in the upper part of Dharamshala, and tourists can visit the Dalai Lama temple, which is a place of worship for Buddhists. The temple has a beautiful statue of Lord Buddha, and tourists can also see the Tibetan monks meditating in the temple complex.
Walking through the lanes of this small town is an experience in itself. The small eating joints serving steaming hot momos , omlettes, maggi , tea , coffee and much more is a delight to have in the weather . There is so much of scenic beauty all around. Nestled amidst majestic hills and lush greenery, the town has one of the most mesmerising landscapes. One should park the car and walk around the town . There are many souvenirs shops having so many antic items , clothes , budha paintings and many other such things to offer. It is a popular Yoga village and one must try yoga here.
Namgyal Monastery
It is the personal monastery of the 14th Dalai Lama. Another name for this temple-complex is Namgyal Tantric College. The monastery’s key role is to assist with rituals involving the Dalai Lama of Tibet. the Tibetan religious, artistic and intellectual traditions are being preserved and maintained through the cooperative effort of the Dalai Lama and the Namgyal monks.
Situated in Lhasa next to the Potala Palace, the private residence of the Dalai Lamas, Namgyal Monastery has played an integral role in the Tibetan religious establishment over the centuries
Gyuto Monastery
Prominent monastery focused on Tantric meditation & ritual arts along with Buddhist philosophy. This monastery is one of the most popular monasteries in India and is quite special as this is the base of the Tibetan government-in-exile with their main office. The Tantric Buddhists’ main centre, this monastery is very significant. The historic monastery is located around breathtaking views with interiors as majestic as can get and Tibetan butter sculptures that are rarely seen these days. There are even monks who reside here.
The Dhauladhar mountain ranges peak from behind the majestic monastery making an absolutely picturesque scene. The building of the monastery is vibrant with yellow, gold and brick coloured features. The street in front of the stairs leading up to the main building is covered in beautiful art and paintings that make the whole area look even more beautiful.
Norbulinkgka Institute
Soothingly set amid bamboo, trees and flowing water, the delightful Norbulingka Institute, 6km southeast of Dharamsala, was established in 1988 to teach and preserve traditional Tibetan art forms. It’s a beautiful and fascinating place to visit, and (except Sundays) you can watch artisans at work on woodcarving, metal statue–making, thangka painting and embroidery.
On request one of the staff will show you around. At the heart of the complex is a very colorful temple around which side buildings contain an upmarket shop of the institute’s products and a small doll museum illustrating traditional culture. The on-site hotel and restaurant-cafe are both excellent options.
Bhagsu Waterfall
Bhagsunag Falls, also known as Bhagsu Falls, is a beautiful waterfall situated in the village of Bhagsu behind Bhagsunath Temple, near McLeod Ganj in Himachal Pradesh district of Kangra. This waterfall turns beautiful alongside a mountain, which features slate graffiti, during monsoon. Throughout winters this area is covered by snowfall. Tourists love to swim through the cold water that gives an enjoyable and refreshing experience. Here too, trekking is a good and much enjoyable alternative. The village of Bhagsu is a popular picnic spot, and also home to the famous Lord Shiva dedicated Bhagsunath Temple. This is a popular tourist attraction, and an important place for Hindu pilgrims as well.
How to reach Dharamshala
By Road
Being one of the most popular tourist destination in India it is well connected by roadways. You can easily self drive or hire a cab and reach to reach Dharamshala. There are buses also available from all nearby cities to reach the place.
By Train
It does not have a railway station of its own. the nearest railway station is Pathankot railway station in Punjab, about 86 km from the city of Dharamshala. You can take a cab from the station to reach Dharamshala or a bus from the Pathankot Bus Stand towards McLeodganj which should take about 3 to 4 hours to reach the city Dharamshala. Chandigarh railway station is also used to travel to Dharamshala . It is around 255km away and people hire a cab or a taxi from there.
By Air
The nearest domestic airport to Dharamshala is the Gaggal Airport also known as the Kangra Airport. it is around 15km away from Dharamshala. You can easily get a taxi from there to reach Dharamshala
Where to stay in Dharamshala
There are many hotels in mid range and 4 star hotels as well. There are option of budget hostels and guesthouses as well . You can easily get a booking there but it is preferred to book your stay in advance during the peak season as it gets very crowded around that time