This is a hill station lying on the spur of the Dhauladhar range about 17 Km north- east of Kangra town. This hill station is wooded with oak and conifer trees and snow capped mountains enfold three sides of the town while the valley stretches in front. The snowline is perhaps more easily accessible at Dharamsala than at any other hill resort and it is possible to make a day's trek to a snow-point after an early morning's start. Dharamsala is also the headquarters of the Kangra district.
In 1905, tragedy struck Dharamsala when an earthquake leveled it completely. After its reconstruction, Dharamsala flourished as a quiet health resort. It is divided into two distinct parts. Lower Dharamsala has civil offices and business establishments with courts. Kotwali bazar and Upper Dharamsala comprise of places with names which bear witness to its history like McLeod Ganj and Forsythe Ganj. Since 1960, when it became a temporary headquarter of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala has risen to international fame as "The Little Lhasa in India". McLeodganj is 9 Km from Dharamsala.
In and around Dharamsala, one can visit the Kangra Art museum at Kotwali bazar, War memorial, Kunal Pathri temple and tea gardens on way to Kunal Pathri. There is also a beautiful Cricket stadium in the city facing mighty Dhauladhar.
PLACES
TO VISIT
Baijnath Shiv Temple
This particularly beautiful ancient Shiv temple at
Baijnath is 16 Km from Palampur, on the Pathankot-Mandi national
highway. Built of stone in the 9th century AD in the shikhara style, it
is a fine blend of sculpture and architecture. The temple is easily
accessible from both Palampur and Kangra. The linga enshrined in its
sanctum is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country. Every year during
the Shivratri fair, pilgrims decend on Baijnath for the colourful fair
and festivities.
Kareri
A 12 Km trek from Mcleodganj passing through Dal lake, Satobari and
Ghera leads to Kareri village. It overlooks the flat & fertile lands of
Himachal and Punjab, seems to stretch on to infinity. Kareri village has
a picturesque forst rest house. 13 Km further is the Kareri lake (3200
mtr) having beautiful high altitute meadows, extensive pasture lands and
undulating slopes carpeted with patch work of green floral patterns.
St. John's Church
This Church stands on the Gandhi Chowk approximately 2 Km. from the main
bus stand of Dalhousie. This Church was the first to be built after the
town of Dalhousie was founded. Prior to 1863 a wooden structure stood at
this place.
Baijnath
Shiv Temple
Kareri
St.
John's Church
Nurpur
Nurpur is famous for an old fort and a temple of Brij Raj. Nurpur
acquired its name in 1672, when Jahangir, the Mughal Emperor named it
after his wife Nurjahan. Built in the late 16th century by Raja Basu the
Nurpur Fort is massive and sprawling. It spreads across a long flat
plateau forming the western end of the ridge and bears signs of great
architectural designs. The fort overlooks the Jabhar Khud, a tributary
of the Chakki rivulet and the vast valley formed by it.
Kotla Fort
Kotla Fort is another heritage monument on the
State Highway between Shahpur and Nurpur. Kotla fort stands on an
isolated peak, impressively looking around the deep valleys. The fort
was built by the Guler Rajas. The road to the fort winds upwards and is
not too difficult; the climb going through the dense forest of pine is
pleasant. At the main entrance is the Bagulamukhi temple, one of the
incarnations of Durga.
Kunal Pathri
A level 3Km walk from Kotwali Bazar leads upto the rock temple of the
local goddess Durga. In the temple there is stone which remains always
wet. According to local belief, the moment it starts drying, it
Nurpur
Kotla
Fort
Kunal
Pathri
BEST SEASON/ BEST TIME TO VISIT
City Facts Height:
Between 1250 m to 1550 m Area: 5739 sq. Km. Population: 13.39 lakh Languages: Hindi, Punjabi, English and Pahari are
understood and spoken by the people engaged in tourism
trade
Temperature :
Max. 38 C in June; Min. 00 C in Jan.
Annual rainfall:
Varies between 290 cm to 380 cm second highest rainfall in the country.
Best season:
January to June; September to December. July-August is rainy season.
Clothing :
Heavy woolens in winters and light woolens and tropical in summers
