Dharamsala or Dharmsh%u0101la, literally meaning "Rest House", is a town and a municipal council in Kangra district in the northern regions of India in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel History:
Dharamsala came into existence in 1849. It was selected as a site to accommodate a native regiment that was being raised in the town. Dharamsala, which originally formed a subsidiary cantonment for the troops stationed at Kangra Valley, was fully occupied by its garrison and since there was insufficient space for the civil station, a search for an alternate location was made. The ideal location for the cantonment was found at the slopes of the Dhauladar, upon which stood an old Hindu sanctuary or 'Dharamsala', so the name adopted for the town.
In 1848, the area was annexed by the British, and a year later, a military garrison was established in the town. Dharamsala eventually became the administrative capital of Kangra District in 1852. It became a popular hill station for the British working in or near Delhi, offering a cool respite during the hot summer months.
The town was virtually destroyed in a massive earthquake in 1905 which killed an estimated 20,000 people. After this, the British moved their summer headquarters to Shimla which is less likely to experience a serious earthquake. Dharamsala still experiences frequent minor earthquakes.
When the Dalai Lama left Tibet, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru offered to permit him and his followers to establish a "government-in-exile" in Dharamsala in 1960. Since then, many Tibetan exiles have settled in the town numbering several thousand. Most of these exiles live in Upper Dharamsala or McLeod Ganj where they established monasteries, temples and schools. The town is sometimes known as "Little Lhasa", after the Tibetan capital city, and has become an important tourist destination.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Best For:
Trekking through the hilly terrain, taking photographs and getting a feel of being in Tibet- this is usually what attracts visitors to Dharamsala.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
During the months of December and January, snowfall and hail storm is common. Summer temperature range from 22 °C to 38 °C. It is very cold in winter as Dhauladar range of hills at over 15000 feet, is close by and covered with thick snow during winter and sometimes in autumn and spring. The natural features surrounding the town include rich forests of Pine and Deodars. Rice, wheat and tea are grown around Dharamsala.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
It is safer to get foreign currency changed at Delhi International Airport or at any of the bigger towns like Chandigarh or Shimla.
By Air: Newly upgraded Gaggal Airport in Kangra 10 km away, has flights from Delhi on Air Deccan (daily via Pathankot) and Jagson Airlines (three times weekly via Kullu). Flights are prone to cancellation due to bad weather.
By Road: Dharamsala is accessible from Pathankot which is 120 kms away Air conditioned, deluxe buses ply from major cities like Chandigarh, Delhi and Shimla The main bus terminal is in Lower Dharamsala but some public HRTC buses to Delhi and Pathankot go all the way to the main square of McLeod Ganj, where one can also book advance tickets for the return trip.
By Rail: The nearest broad gauge railhead is at Pathankot and the neighboring station of Chakki Bank, a comfortable overnight journey from Delhi. Train buffs can continue on the very slow and rickety but pretty Kangra Valley Railway to Kangra but most travellers choose to continue by bus or taxi instead.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
The town is divided into two distinct areas that are separated by a ten minute bus/jeep ride: Dharamsala known as Lower Dharamsala and Upper Dharamsala known more commonly as McLeod Ganj (thus named after David McLeod, once the British Lieutenant Governor of Punjab). It is this upper district that is home to the Tibetan community and the center of tourist activity. Lower Dharamsala consists of most of the government offices, Schools, Zonal Hospital, and commercial areas. It also has a few tea gardens. One is in the area of Chilgari and another just beyond Dari.
Tsuglagkhang Complex, Temple Road- This is the largest Tibetan temple outside Tibet and it has a large meditation hall containing some beautiful statues and thangkas as well as a Kalachakra temple with beautiful murals. It is the monastery of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and is located just in front of his residence.
Tibet Museum, opposite Tsuglagkhang, tel. 91-1892-22510- This is a small but interesting museum on the history of Tibet and its people is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5 pm. There is an entry charge of Rs.5.
Tibetan Library, near the Tibetan Government in Exile has a small but interesting museum.
Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) - Stages performances of traditional Tibetan dance, music, and theatre are held here.
Shopping: Many Tibetan things can be bought in Dharamsala - woolen shawls, prayer flags, prayer wheels, thangka and mandala paintings, Tibetan jewelry & trinkets.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
McLeod Ganj is a great place for eating and the town has an abundance of restaurants especially in the mid to upper range that cater to foreign tourists.
Carpe Diem, Jogibara Road. Featuring occasional live music. Western-style food (e.g. pizzas) and excellent home made muesli.
Green Hotel, Bhagsu Road. Really popular, with decent, hearty food and good pies.
Jimmy's Italian Restaurant, near the main square, nice decor and friendly staff..
JJI's Cafe. Delicious Special Muesli. Sometimes they play Bob Dylan.
Lhamo's Croissant, Bhagsu Rd, One of those "only in Dharamsala" places, offering French pastries, Tibetan herbal tea and some pretty good Western food
Momo Cafe. Best momos in town. The chai is also particularly good.
Nick's Italian Kitchen, Bhagsu Rd, 6.00 am-9.00 pm everyday. Great Italian food at cheap prices. Great view from terrace. Very popular. An American writer with residence in Rome taught the recipes in 1996 to Kunga, the owner. A Dutch linguist gave advice on interior decoration in 1996.
Pema Thang's Guest House, Bhagsu Rd (opposite Bhagsu Hotel) 11.000 am-10.00 pm everyday. They offer amazing continental and local fare, all of it vegetarian. They also serve great thenthuk.
Le Vrai Café, Jogibara Rd. Just above the Chocolate Log, and down the hill from the post office, this is the place to get European continental food and ambiance.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
McLeod Ganj has a wide selection of accommodation, most of which is located close to the main bus stop. Just walk around. It is easy to find somewhere suitable. There are also 2 smaller towns within walking distance, Bhagsu and Dharmakot. They are quieter than McLeod, whose main streets (esp. Bhagsu Rd) suffer from the usual Indian curse of lots of beeping cars/bikes/rickshaws pushing through the streets, and have a wide array of cool places to stay.
The Mid Range Hotels are:
Annex Hotel,Surya Road, ]. Annex hotel has a great view over the KangraValley. It is located on a quiet side street just minutes away from the main square.
Bhagsu Hotel- State-run Himachal Tourism hotel, which despite the name is located in McLeod Ganj. It is at the upper end of the price range with carpeted rooms and en-suite bathrooms. Has a pleasant pseudo-English garden with lawn and flowers.
Chonor House, off Temple Road, the bestplace to stay, home to stars like Richard Gere. It's not five-star luxury, but it is tastefully decorated, has great views, good food and is run by the Dalai Lama's Norbulingka Institute whose proceeds go to helping refugees.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Every year in February-March for ten days or and occasionally at other times, the Dalai Lama holds public lectures. Registration at Tibetan Branch Security Office (near Hotel Tibet) is necessary, preferably 3-4 days in advance. Bring a cushion to sit on, a FM radio with headphones to listen to the simultaneous translation from Tibetan to English, a cup for tea, and a sunhat/umbrella, but as little else as possible, as security is tight. The last day of teaching concludes with public prayers, for which no security pass is needed. Donations are welcome.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
DalLakeis a small mid-altitude lake (1,775 m above sea level) near a very beautiful village "Tota Rani" in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The lake is surrounded by deodar trees and is considered as a sacred spot as there is a small Shiva Mandir on its bank. It is 11kms from Dharamsala.
Bhagsu Waterfall, 3 km from Dharamsala, is an easy walk down Bhagsu Road through the village of the same name, then 1 km up to the waterfall itself
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Dharamsala is in the Kangra valley, in the Dhauladar Mountains and became the capital of the Kangra District in 1852. It is surrounded by an aura of spiritual mysticism due to the presence of the Dalai Lama.
