Places to visit:
Mcleod Ganj
War Memorial
Dal Lake
Chamunda Devi
Kangra Art Museum
Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
Namgyal Monastery
Norbulingka Institute
Kangra Fort
Nurpur Fort
Things to Do:
Dharmasala is the perfect destination for those who are looking either for a very quiet holiday or (in the contrast) for a trip full of adventure activites. On one hand, the picturesque town is away from the hullabaloo and stress of city life and offers some moments of peace and respite, amidst the lap of nature. On the other hand, it offers many opportunities for the tourists, to indulge in their favorite adventure sports. In case you want to know more about what to do and see in Dharamshala, read on.
Fun Activities to Do in Dharamsala:
Trekking
Dharamsala proves to be a popular base for trekking in Himachal Pradesh. The trekking season starts from May and lasts till October. Amongst the tailor-made treks that you will find in the area, majority are in the Kangra valley. For instance, there is one from Dharamsala to the Chamba valley, over the Indradhar Pass (4,350m), which is very difficult. Apart from that, you can find easier treks around Mcleodganj and Dharamsala. One such trek is from Tang Narwana (1,150m) to Toral Pass (4,575m). You can also take a 2-km stroll to Bhagsu, go another 3 km to Dharamkot and from there; walk down 8 km to Triund.
Rock Climbing
Though many people are not aware of it, the quaint town of Dharamshala offers many opportunities for rock climbing sport as well. One of the most popular trails for rock climbing is Dharamsala-Nayagroeon, set in a remote and largely uncharted area of the Himalayas. Then, you can also go over the ridges of the Dhauladhar range as well.
Angling & Fishing
There are a number of small rivers and streams in the area around Dharamsala. Majority of them provide visitors with an opportunity to indulge in angling and fishing. Among the most popular stretches for fishing is the 20-km stretch of the river Beas, between Nadaun and the Pong Dam. Here, you will find the Mahaseer in ample quantity.
Pilgrimage
For those who are on a pilgrim tour, Dharamsala provides a number of options to connect with the Almighty. It is home to the Namgyal Monastery, founded by Sonam Gyatso, the third Dalai Lama, in the year 1575. Then, there is St John’s Church, which is located hardly 8-km from Dharamsala, on the way to McLeodganj. Kalachakra Temple, houses in the same complex as the Namgyal Monastery, is also worth a visit.
Heritage Tour
For those who are interested in exploring the rich heritage of a city more than anything else with find Dharamsala to be a great destination. It is home to Kangra Art Museum, situated in Kotwali Bazaar, where you can find relics and artifacts dating back to as far back as 5th century. Then, there is the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, which has been founded by the 14th Dalai Lama in McLeodganj. The two forts near Dharamsala - Kangra Fort and Nurpur Fort, are also worth visiting. Do make sure to visit the Norbulingka Institute as well, which has been set up to preserve and teach Tibetan art and culture.
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How To Reach:
By Air:
Kangra airport (a.k.a. Gaggal Airport) is the nearest airstrip from Dharamsala, situated at the distance of 21 km. Jagson Airline has flights every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from Delhi to Kangra airport. Once you arrive in Kangra, make use of the buses and taxis, available easily, for traveling to Dharamsala.
By Rail:
Pathankot is nearest major railhead from Dharamsala, situated at the distance of 76 km. There are many trains running from Pathankot station (a.k.a. Chakki Bank Station) to different cities of India. For instance, it is connected to Delhi by the Jammu Express and to Kolkata by the Jammu Tawi Express. From Pathankot, you can take the narrow gauge railway line train to Kangra, for further expansion of experience, and either take a bus or hire a cab from there, for reaching Dharamsala. Though time consuming, such a journey would surely leave you mesmerized.
By Road:
Dharamsala has an excellent network of roads that links with almost all the major cities of the country. The place is situated at a distance of 516 km from Delhi, 268 Km from Chandigarh, 195 km from Amritsar and 283 km from Shimla. Once you arrive at any of these places, you can opt for buses as well as taxis for reaching Dharamsala. In case you plan to drive down to the place from Delhi, take NH1 and NH21 for reaching Kiratpur and from there drive to Una and then to Kangra. From there, McLeodganj is 31 km. From Chandigarh, you will have to take NH21 to Kiratpur. From Shimla, drive to Bilaspur and then to Mandi. From there, take NH20 to Dharamsala. |