Dharamshala Tourism

3.6 / 5 Hill Stations, Hills Valleys, Rivers Lakes,

Ideal Duration : 2-4 days Best Time : October to June
Visit 18 Places
"The little Lhasa in India" Dharamshala Tourism Dharamsala is famed as the holy residence of the Dalai Lama and houses the Tibetan monk in exile. Dharamsala is located in Kangra district at a distance of 18km fro Kangra City. The city is distinctively separated as upper and lower divisions with different altitudes. The lower division is the Dharamsala town itself whereas the upper division is popularly known asMcleodganj. This is situated on the upper hilly stretch of land ofKangraValley which is placed just against the picturesque scene ofDhauladhar ranges. Being a Tibetan hub, Dharamsala is considered to be one of the best places to learn and explore Buddhism and Tibetan Culture. Download Dharamshala PDF Guide > What's Great? A great place for meditation and learning about Buddhism and Tibetan culture. Great view of Dhauladhar ranges. Pleasant weather all around the year. What's not so Great? It has become over-crowded with large amount of tourists rushing to Dharamshala. For Whom For religious people, people in search of meditation and peace. Also, for the avid trekkers as Dharamsala opens the way for a number of treks.

Etymology Dharamshala is derived from the Hindi words Dharam and shala. This roughly translates to mean a spiritual dwelling or a sanctuary. The word dharma holds different significant meanings to different groups, both culturally and spiritually. Commonly, Dharamsala describes a shelter or rest house for pilgrims. There was a pilgrim rest house originally in the town, from where Dharamsala got its name. History Formerly ruled by the Katoch dynasty for around two millennia, Dharamshala was annexed by the British in 1848. Following this, in 1860, the Gurkhas arrived in Dharamshala. Also called as the ?bravest of the brave? the fate and history of this tribe is interminably linked to that of the town. The Gurkhas were originally Nepali soldiers, who were recruited by the British to fight in the World Wars. Their heroic feats during the war are still remembered, and many places in Dharamshala are named in their honour such as - Depot bazaar, Tirah Lanes etc. Dharamshala was a popular hill station for Britishers working in the Delhi region, and they were considering to make it their summer capital until the earthquake of 1905 which left over 20,000 people dead. Shimla was then named the summer capital. The Gurkhas contributed immensely to the rebuilding of the city post the earthquake. Many Gurkhas also played a prominent role in India?s independence struggle as freedom fighters. The Indian National Army?s captain - Ram Singh Thakur, was a Gurkha, and he composed the famous patriotic song - Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja. Shopping Dharamshala is a shopping haven for tourists and offers many unique, locally made items. The most famous shopping areas in Dharamshala include the Jogibara Road, and Kotwali Bazaar, both located around McLeod Ganj. McLeod Ganj has a 152-year old shop called Nowrojee & Sons which has many antique items for sale - including British and German relics from the World Wars. Dharamshala offers a collection of Tibetan and Buddhist artefacts like brass artefacts, statues, wall hangings, wooden and stone bead prayers etc. Some of the best shops to scourge for these items include the Divine Buddha Handicrafts, Tibetan Handicraft Centre, and the Semshook Tibetan Handicrafts. The Namgyal Bookstore is also a good place to stop to pick up books on Tibetan and Buddhist culture, as well as others on Himachal Pradesh and Himalayan history. The Little Lhasa of India To many of you, who are unaware, Dharamsala is the home to Dalai Lama, the Buddhist leader who runs his government in exile from Dharamsala. Now, what better place on earth than this little town set on the foothills of Dhauladhar ranges to experience the rich and regal Tibetan culture. In the year 1959, Dalai Lama came to India with his followers and settled, rather beautified the town of Dharamsala, transforming it into the little Lhasa. Dharamsala, for many years, has been a centre of meditation and peace, with thousands of people from around the world coming here to seek Nirvana.

One Day Itinerary Day 1:Arrive at the Gaggal airport, reach your hotel in a cab. Check-in at the hotel. Leave for local sightseeing after some rest. Visit the Buddhist Monasteries in Dharamsala. Visit the famous Tsuglagkhang monastery and Namgyal monastery in McleodGanj and spend some time in peace and tranquillity.Day 2:Visit the Dharamsala cricket ground and enjoy the surreal view of the Dhauladhar ranges. Then, head to visit the famous Dal lake of Dharamsala. Afterwards, visit the Kangra Fort which is located just 20 km away from Dharamsala.Day 3:Visit the BhagsuNag waterfall and temple in Mcleodganj. Then, enjoy the short trek of 2-3 hours to Triund in Mcleodganj and back to the hotel.

Oct-Junis the best time to visit Dharamshala Dharamshala can be visited throughout the year. Winters here are very cold with occasional snowfalls, however, it makes the valley look much more beautiful. Summers are pleasant with maximum temperature around 25 degrees Celcius. Monsoons could be avoided as it might hamper your travel plans, but this place does not receive very heavy rainfall unlike other parts of Himachal and Uttarakhand. Weather in Dharamshala Loading... Dharamshala in Summer (April-June) The temperature begins to rise and snow begins to fade away in the month of April. The temperature in Summers ranges between 20 and 35 degrees Celcius. The weather remains pleasant throughout and hence, it is a good time to enjoy sightseeing and various treks in the Himalayas. Dharamshala in Monsoon (July-September) The monsoon begins with the month of July and continues until September. The temperature ranges from 18 to 22 degrees Celsius. Due to rain showers, it is not considered the best time to visit Dharamshala. Rain also shuts down the trekking routes. Dharamshala in Winter (October-March) Winters are the best time to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of Dharamshala. The temperature in Winters remains between 4 and 7 degrees Celcius. Snowfall begins from the end of December and continues until February. Monthly Weather in Dharamshala Month Avg. Minimum (°C) Avg. Maximum (°C) January 6 18 February 9 23 March 11 27 April 17 35 May 21 38 June 22 38 July 25 34 August 24 33 September 22 33 October 16 32 November 9 26 December 6 22

Events in Dharamshala Dharamsala Film Festival 1st - 4th November Apart from being a celebration of art and strong indepedendent cinema, the Dharamsala Film Festival, also makes for the perfect break from Indian summers. Showcasing the best of Indian and international cinema, the DIFF provides a platform for hitherto unknown artists to take centre stage. With strong themes that resonate with the audience, this one's a not miss for film lovers.

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