Amidst the chaos and stress of life, what if you discover an area that appears unreal? Dharamshala is a place that's so heavenly, you'll be mesmerized by its beauty. Dharamshala is influenced by Buddhist culture, as it's also home to the great Tibetan leader HH Dalai Lama. From beautiful snow-clad mountains to quaint houses, from cedar trees to exotic surroundings, Dharamshala is surely a place that will leave a lasting impact on your mind.
Because of its picturesque beauty, it's also one of the most popular hill stations in India. Dharamshala is a splendid hill station bathed in the full glory of beautiful nature and Buddhist culture. If you are a passionate traveller, this place is bliss for you. You will get the best experience of your life by visiting Dharamshala.
Dharamshala is found in Kangra district, at a distance of 18 km from Kangra city. Dharamshala is separated into upper and lower divisions with different altitudes. The lower division is Dharamshala town itself, while the upper division is located 3 km away and popularly known as McLeodganj (famed as the holy residence of the Dalai Lama and Tibetans in exile). Dharamshala is prominently visited for its bus connections and bustling market.
Dharamshala is mainly divided into two parts, upper and lower, and your holiday in Dharamshala is incomplete if you don't visit the lovely village McLeod Ganj.
It's located in the same vicinity but has some beautiful locations that will surely blow your mind. You can also visit the green shop exclusively set up in Dharamshala offering recycled goods. Dharamshala is a place that will help you detox.
As most people are addicted to mobiles or gadgets these days, gadget detoxification has become important. If you are searching for a place that will help you detox, then Dharamshala it is. The serenity and peaceful surroundings of the place will leave an impact on you for sure. It's one of the most awe-inspiring destinations, and you can plan a great package with your family or friends. You can also call Dharamshala a traveller's paradise. You need to plan your holiday with a great guide to have an amazing experience.
Places in Dharamshala
Namgyal Monastery
It's the most popular tourist destination in Dharamshala. The well-known monastery houses the largest Tibetan temple outside Tibet. The place is vibrant, and its decor is just mesmerizing. You must visit this place.
Tsuglagkhang Complex
Located on Temple Road, the place was built in 1959, when the Dalai Lama first visited India. The complex houses the most important places to see, including the culture and history of the place. You can also experience Tibetan music and dance performances here.
Kangra Art Museum
If you are fond of art and culture, do visit this amazing place. It displays objects of Buddhist culture and Tibetan art. The museum preserves the ethos of Kangra valley in the form of fabrics and paintings. You will also get to see a rare collection of tribal ornaments and coins.
Bhagsunag Waterfalls
It's a scenic cascade located a few km from Bhagsunag Temple. The place is so soothing that you would want to stand there all day. Its pristine natural view with sparkling milky water adds to its charm, and it looks even more beautiful during monsoon.
Kangra Fort
Kangra Fort is another marvellous heritage fort in Dharamshala. In fact, it is the largest fort in the Himalayan region and the oldest one in India. You can get an amazing view of the Manjhi and Banganga Rivers from the place. Don't miss this place if you want a great experience in Dharamshala.
More Top Places to Visit
St. John in the Wilderness Church
This neo-gothic church was built in 1852 and is one of the most important churches in Himachal Pradesh. Located near Dharamshala on the way to McLeodganj, this church was built in dedication to John the Baptist.
War Memorial
The War Memorial is situated within the pine forests near Dharamshala town, and the journey to this place is completely worthwhile. There is the gorgeous GPG College, built during the British era.
Gyuto Monastery
A monastery that isn't very easy to find, unless a driver is willing to take you there. A serene monastery of holiness.
Dal Lake Dharamshala
Dal Lake is 11 km from lower Dharamshala and lies between hills and deodar trees. This is a starting point for trekking and excursions, and the route around the lake makes the walk memorable.
Tea Garden Dharamshala
The smallest tea region of India, Dharamshala has beautifully lined and arranged tea gardens across the Kangra Valley. It is known for its good quality tea, available for purchase in many shops across Dharamshala and McLeodganj.
Triund
Triund is a 9-km trek from McLeodganj. It is situated at an excellent height and provides a mesmerizing view of the Moon Peak-Indra Pass. This is a perfect spot for picnics, and the clean, pristine environment will surely rejuvenate your senses.
Jwala Devi Temple
Legends speak of a time when evil spirits landed on the mountains and harassed the gods. The gods decided to fend them off, directed by Lord Shiva. All the powers of the various gods were focused, and an enormous flame rose from the ground of the world.
Tsuglagkhang, McLeodganj
This is the place where the Dalai Lama resides. This complex features a monastery, various stupas and temples, a bookstore and a cafe, which attracts devotees from all over the world and serves tourists as well.
Bhagsu Falls
Bhagsu Falls is situated 2 km away from McLeodganj. Set amidst lush greenery and nature in its most pristine form, these falls are majestic and grand and should not be missed by tourists traveling here.
Namgyal Monastery, McLeodganj
Overlooking the mountain ranges of Dhauladhar, the Namgyal Monastery is situated within the Tsuglagkhang complex. This complex is also the proud home to the residence of the Dalai Lama, among various other shrines, temples, bookstores, souvenir shops, etc.
Bhagsunath Temple
This temple is found at a height of 1,770 m above sea level. Surrounded by beautiful pools and lush greenery, this temple attracts a lot of devotees and tourists throughout the year.
Tibet Museums
This museum is found inside the Tsuglagkhang complex and features a collection of brilliant Tibetan Art, which includes historical documents, pottery, handicrafts, paintings, etc.
Dalai Lama Temple
Replete with Tibetan culture, the Dalai Lama Temple Complex, also referred to as Tsuglakhang Temple, is a politico-religious centre in Dharamshala. Ideal for peaceful meditation and spiritual reflection, the temple is filled with lamas at all points of the day chanting on prayer wheels or beads.
Masroor Rock Cut Temples
Situated 32 km from Kangra in Dharamshala on the Nagrota-Surian Link Road, Masroor Rock Cut Temple is an archaeological site currently in ruins. The complex is a combination of 15 rock-cut temples designed in the Indo-Aryan style of architecture, believed to have been built in the 8th century (as per relics).
Best Time to Visit
Monsoon is also a good time to visit the place, as you will see beautiful sights with mighty waterfalls. The temperature during monsoon is between 18 to 20 Celsius. If you are a trekker, then summertime is the best time for you — you can explore many places as the temperature is ideal. It is also an ideal time for honeymooners.
How to Reach
You can travel to Dharamshala by bus, train, and air. It's well connected to all the major cities by road network. You can take a bus from any nearest city to reach the place. By train, you can reach Dharamshala via Pathankot railway station — the nearest railway station, located 85 km from Dharamshala.
Another railway station is Kangra; you can also reach Dharamshala if you reach Kangra by train, as the distance is just 14 km. By air travel, you can take a flight to Gaggal — it is just 13 km from Dharamshala and is the nearest airport.
Plan your next tour to Dharamshala for some solace and stunning views with your family. You can also plan a solo trip to enjoy your 'me' time. It is indeed one of the best tourist places in India with an awesome sightseeing experience.
Weather
You can visit Dharamshala throughout the year, but the best time is early spring. You can experience the place in its full glory at this time. The weather during this time is pleasant, with the minimum temperature being 25.
If you want to enjoy a breath-taking view of snow-clad mountains, then you can plan a visit in winter. Winters are freezing cold with occasional snowfall, and that makes the place all the more enchanting.
