Dharamsala Tour

Area: 29 Sqkms
Altitude: 1380 m above sea level.
Climate: Summer- Max. 26, Min. 16
Winter: Max. 6, Min. 3
Best Time To Visit:March - June, September - October

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Dharamsala Queen of The Hills, City of Blue Mountains is an important township of Kangra district. Dharamshala, stands at the foot of snow wrapped lofty Dhauladhar ranges and offers a magnificent view of snowy peaks, deodar and pine forests, tea gardens and beautiful hills. Numerous streams, cool healthy air, attractive surroundings and the nearby snowline, Dharamsala has everything for a perfect holiday. It is full of life and yet peaceful.

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Prime Attractions of Dharmsala (Dharamshala):

Kangra Art Museum
This treasure trove of the Kangra valley's arts, crafts, and rich past, displays artifacts that date back to the 5th century.

Dal Lake
Surrounded by high and green Deodar trees is the lake, which fills a mountain bowl. This lake is easily approachable by road and makes an enchanting and serene picnic spot. St. John's Church

Under the shade of Doedar branches It was built in 1852 and is dressed in grey stone with some fine Belgian stained glass windows donated by Lady Elgin.

Tatwani & Machhrial
There are hot springs situated at Tatwani, 25-km from Dharamsala but on the way, at Machhrial, is a waterfall twice as big as the one near the Bhagsunath temple.

The Shrine of Bhagsunath
It is the ancient temple of Bhagsunath. There are many fresh water springs close to the temple, which are considered sacred by the Hindus.

Kunal Pathri
These are the rock temples from which the place derives its name.

Dharmkot
Located on the crest of a hill lie this attractive picnic spot, which presents a panoramic view of the Kangra valley and Dauladhar ranges.

Norbulinka Institute
This place has heavy Japanese influence. The shady paths, wooden bridges, small streams tiny water falls make this place look like heaven. The nunnery close to the institute is a place where women are taught the advanced levels of Buddhist philosophy.

Chinmaya Tapovan
The tranquil ashram ashram includes a 9m high image of Hanuman, a Ram temple, a meditation hall, a school and a health & recreation center.

Andretta
It houses a gallery of some of his major works and a pottery center.

McLeodganj
Originally home of the semi-nomadic Gaddi tribe, McLeodganj is today the residence of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.

Masrur
Fifteen richly carved monolithic rock temples sculpted in the splendid style of the Kailash temple at Ellora and dating back to the 8th century is to be found at Masrur.

Triund
The area is on the foothills of Dhauladhar range. The breathtaking views of the mountains, and the valleys makes Triund an ideal picnic spot and trekking spot.

Trilokpur
The unique cave temples with a stalactite and stalagmites dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Dharamsala Tour

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Dharamsala India

We left Delhi Wednesday night & took an overnight trip to the Dharamsala area on a 'deluxe' bus w/o air-conditioning (fine at night), no washroom & a crazed driver. The bus broke down 2/3 of the way through the trip. Luckily they put us on another bus, part of our entourage of four heading for Dharamsala. McLeod Ganj, 10 km north of Dharamsala, is the home of the Dalai Llama & the Tibetan government in exile; it's in the foothills of the Himalayas. It's a very gentle, mellow-feeling place. The air is very clean, although 'thin' as they say; you have to be careful walking too far at first.

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Although there are still beggars, they're a bit less intrusive than Delhi & the only touts were the ones who met us at the bus stop (difficult as we'd had no sleep on the bouncing buses & the air made me dizzy after I climbed just 1 flight of stairs). Re the beggars, it's hard to know what 'policy' to adopt. I'm now giving small amounts of change to women with small children & some people with disabilities (e.g. a woman who appeared to have leprosy in both legs & likely couldn't walk).

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Today we searched out the Astro Tibetan Medical Clinic to see a monk for herbal treatment, but instead were guided to another TMC where we both saw a lovely doctor with incredibly soft, healing energy. She & her husband, also a Doctor of Tibetan medicine both work & live at the clinic, along with their 3 young children. We felt she was the one we were meant to see. We can continue treatment after our initial 3 months of herbs by e-mailing her.

After going to the clinic, we went to the Dalai Llama's complex, an amazing place on the edge of town...a huge yellow temple with courtyard where dozen of monk-trainees were practicing a marial-art based discipline (we thought).

The public is allowed in the temple & it is beautiful, many statues & much colour. Beside the temple is a white building where the monks live. The whole thing is indescribable really! The Dahai Lama is away in N. Am. When he's here he gives public talks every 2-3 wks for several hundred people. But his doctors & others have advised him to cut back on everything (there was a notice on a bulletin board re this). He's 72 now, I spoke to one of the budhist students.

Two months later I can still feel the energy of McLeod Ganj when I look at pictures of it, or even when I think about it. It is a very spiritual place.

Copyright 2008 Ellen Besso

Dharamsala India

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