Day 45 - Dharmashala

Day 45

Dharamshala is a hill station located about 17 km north-east of Kangra town in Himachal Pradesh.Located in the backdrop of the snow clad Dhauladhar ranges of the Himalayas, Dharamshala is the principal township of Kangra District. The city succumbed to a massive earthquake in the year 1905 and was reconstructed to become a health resort and a popular tourist destination. Dharamshala consists of two distinct parts – Lower Dharamsala and Upper Dharamshala. Lower Dharamsala is a bustling civil and commercial centre whereas Upper Dharamshala retains a colonial lifestyle with its British – modeled suburbs of McLeodganj and Forsythganj.In the year 1960, Dharamshala became a temporary headquarters to the Noble Laureate His Holiness the 'Dalai Lama'. Now, Dharamshala is internationally acclaimed as ‘The Little Lhasa in India’. With a number of Tibetan settlements and the residence of the 'Dalai Lama', Dharamshala has truly become ‘the land of the lamas’.Dharamsala has a vibrant environment with dense green forests with Deodar trees and pine trees. Blessed with many clear and unpolluted streams it is an ideal retreat for nature lovers. This place has been renowned as one of the best picnic spots in India.


How to reach here:

By Air: Gaggal airport (also known as Dharamsala airport) in Kangra valley is the nearest airport. The airport is 15 km away from Dharamsala.

By Rail: Nearest railway station is Kangra Mandir at a distance of 22 km from Dharamsala. All trains won’t stop here. The major rail junction is Pathankot, which is about 85 km away from Dharamsala. Pathakot is well connected to all major cities in India.


Best time to visit: October to May.


Languages spoken: Pahari and Hindi.


Must eat:  Kangra Chai, Butter Tea,Momos, Yak meat.


Famous Restaurants: Om, Pema Thang, Shangrila, Sherpa House.


Places you must visit:

Kareri Lake is a shallow fresh water lake around 9 km from Dharamsala. Located on a very high altitude, the lake is fed by the snow melting from the Dhauladhar mountains. Due to the fresh shallow water, the bed of the lake is easily visible. This lake also serves as excellent trekking spot in the Dhauladhar region.



Triund, the name of a crest in the Dhauladhar ranges in The Himalayas, is a very famous tourist attraction.This place gives a breathtaking view of the Moon peak-Indera Pass. Ideal for camping, its unpolluted air and the unspoiled environment make the place an eco-friendly tourist spot.



Naam Art Gallery is a popular tourist spot situated in McLeodganj city. There are varied paintings and exhibitions on display in this art gallery. These paintings are works of the renowned German painter Elizabeth Buschmann and English painter A.W. Hallett.



Dal Lake is surrounded by deep Deodhar forests and is situated approximately 11 km from Dharamshala. This lake is an ideal base camp for trekkers coming from McLeodganj. It is believed that dip in the holy Dal Lake removes all the miseries and will be blessed by Lord Shiva.This lake is located in the Kangra District and is situated at a height of 1,775 m above the sea level. It is a brownish looking lake lying on the main road to Naddi and Strawberry hills.The temple located close to the Lake which is dedicated to Sage Durvasa is also a worth place to visit.



Bhagsu Falls is a beautiful waterfall, situated in the small village of Bhagsu, behind the Bhagsunath Temple. During monsoon, this waterfalls turns into a 30 ft cascade, alongside a mountain that features slate graffiti.



Dharamshala Cricket Stadium (DCS), an internationally renowned stadium, is the home ground of Himachal Pradesh State cricket team. It is considered to be one of the most attractive cricket stadiums of India due to its natural backdrop.From this cricket stadium, travellers can view the beautiful snow capped mountains of Dhauladhar mountain range.

Kangra Fort is situated alongside the banks of Banganga River, near Kangra town.There is a museum at the entrance of the fort, which features valuable old photographs of the fort.These photographs belong to the period prior to the earthquake of 1905 in the region. Further, the museum features carvings, idols, artefacts and stone sculptures. There are around seven entrance gates for the Kangra Fort, which houses three carved temples of Lakshmi Narayan, Ambika and a Jain temple of Adi Narayan. The carved patterns of these temples are similar to that of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple in Tamil Nadu.

Hanuman-Ka-Tibba is an ideal trekking route for all those who love challenges. Situated right in front of McLeodganj, it offers spectacular and a breathtaking sight. It is the highest point in the Dhauladhar ranges and is famous for scenic views. Also known as ‘White Mountain’, this peak is located at an altitude of 5,639 m above sea level and offers magnificent views of the Dhauladhar ranges and Pir Panjal ranges.

Namgyal Monastery in Dharamsala is a sacred building enclosing the residence of Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Government in exile. The complex is constructed in a location near Mcleod Ganj and is overlooked by the mountain ranges of Dhauladhar. Lush pine forests offer the natural beauty and the atmosphere offers a perfect tranquility in the location. The monastery is located inside the Tsuglagkhang Complex, which also encloses a Tibetan museum, a cafeteria, a book shop and library, prayer wheels and Buddhist shrines, apart from the royal but simple residence of the Tibetan spiritual leader. 

St. John Church in Dharamshala is also known as St. John Church in Wilderness. It is an Anglican Church which is dedicated to Saint John. This church was constructed in the year 1852, situated at Forsyth Ganj. It is built in Neo-Gothic architectural style and features Belgian stained-glass windows that were donated by Lady Elgin (Mary Louisa Lambton), wife of Lord Elgin.n 1905 an earthquake destroyed the bell tower of this church. A new bell was built by Stainbank and Mears in 1915, which was brought from England.

Dharamkot is a beautiful landscape village situated amidst deodhar trees in McLeodganj. This is a hilly region which offers a view of the beautiful Dhauladhar Mountains and Kangra District. Dharamkot is an eco-friendly picnic spot in McLeodganj which provides comfortable accommodation facilities, such as resorts and luxury hotels.It is also a suitable base camp for trekkers going on long and short trek from the destination.

 

Chamunda Devi Temple is a popular old temple in Dharamshala, which is situated approximately 15 km from the main city. This temple features the main deity of Goddess Durga, also known as Chamunda. It is believed that worshipping at this shrine can give ultimate salvation or moksha to the ancestors.It is believed that Goddess Kali killed demons Chand and Mund, thus popularly called Goddess Chamunda.

Norbulingka Institute is an educational and training institute in Dharamshala which was established for preserving Tibetan culture and art. It was established by Dalai Lama and got its name from his official residence situated at Lhasa. The institute is located amidst gardens, ponds and bridges, featuring separate buildings for library, temple, workshop, studio, college and guest house.It has been built in traditional Tibetan style and is situated near Dharamshala in the Kangra Valley. This institute is a registered trust, which is managed by Dalai Lama. The main sections of this institute are the Academy of Tibetan Culture, Literary and Cultural Research Center as well as the Center of the Arts.

 

Tibet Museum has pristine white interiors, sparingly filled with photographs and Tibetan artefacts. More than a museum, the Tibet Museum is a library of facts, documents, videos, installations and objects related with the Chinese occupation of Tibet. As you enter you'll be taken through the grim but fascinating methods the Chinese used to intimidate the Tibetan people. Huge sepia tinted photographs tell you how Dalai Lama escaped from Tibet into India dressed like a soldier, the Chinese soldiers stationed at the Lhasa border and many more poignant scenes. A video made by a documentary filmmaker takes you through the torment the Tibetan freedom fighters live through even today. On the second floor you'll see images of optimism. Like the first group of people who came to India from Lhasa. You?ll also find the declaration of the Chinese people to the Tibetans and the promises they made. All in all the Tibet museum takes you through the history of a people determined to hold on to their identity.

MccLeodganj is a popular tourist attraction in Dharamshala, which is commonly known as 'Little Lhasa'.It is also known as the headquarters of the Tibetan Government in exile. The residence of Dalai Lama is also located in MccLeodganj. Tourists coming to MccLeodganj can visit the ancient Tsuglagkhang Temple, which is famous for the statues of Padmasambhava, Avalokitesvara and Shakyamuni. MccLeodganj is also popular tourist destination where visitors can purchase Tibetan artefacts and apparel.

Namgyalma Stupa is situated in the heart of McLeodganj and is an old Buddhist structure. It was built to honour the Tibetan soldiers, who died during the freedom struggle of Tibet. This structure is similar in design to the structure built during the 3rd century by King Ashoka. The stupa portrays an image of Sakyamuni Buddha.

Kangra Art Museum displays arts, crafts, culture and history of the people living in Kangra Valley. The Kangra Art Museum is situated close to the famous Kotwali Bazaar, which sells all types of handicraft and religious items.This museum features collection of miniature paintings that date back to the 17th century. It also comprises a wide collection of anthropological artefacts, pottery and sculptures. Visitors can see many artefacts of 5th century that are preserved in good condition.

The War Memorial is at the very entrance of Dharamsala town. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, and poetic little paths, you are led to the Memorial by a storybook pine trail. The War Memorial was set up to commemorate the soldiers who fought for India in post independent India and a lot of thought has been put into its creation. For example, the wall of the memorial is curved, signifying the continuity of life and the fact that these great soldiers will immortal in the minds of Indians forever. At the Memorial, you can also look out for inscriptions and memorials dating as far as 1046.

Jwalamukhi Temple is about 56 km from Dharamsala in the Valley of Beas. Unlike any other temple, this one doesn't have a statue or an image, but a constantly burning blue flame that seems to come from the rocks. Jwalamukhi Temple is a temple of the Goddess of Light. Jwalamukhi is also known as the Flaming Goddess or She of the Flaming Mouth. According to one legend, Lord Shiva conquered the Demon Jalandhara by burying him with mountains. The flames are believed to come from his mouth. The local women who worship the Goddess here believe that she will grant any wish, any desire and many songs are composed in honour of Jwalamukhi Devi and sung on the walk to the temple. First built by the Sikh Raja Kharak Singh, the temple is ornate and heavily embellished with a gilt dome, lots of gold and decorated pinnacles. The doors to the temple are of pure silver and of such beauty that Lord Harding is said to have had a copy made for himself. A canal channels the spring waters which come from a different source around the back of the temple and another local story states that the Emperor Akbar built this canal in an attempt to put out the flames in the temple. When it didn't work, he became an ardent devotee himself. In fact one of the local women's songs has lyrics that describe how Akbar came to the temple and placed his gold crown near the flames. The Goddess turned the gold to copper. 

Bhagsu nag Temple is one of the popular ancient temples. It is surrounded by the famous Bhagsu Falls and is considered to be a popular place of Hindu pilgrimage.

Chinamaya Tapovan Ashram is named after his guru Swami Tapovan and is also a centre for the Chinmaya Rural Primary Health and Training Centre. The ashram is on the banks of River Bindu Saras and offers an ambience of tranquillity and calm. Discourse and classes are available should you want to experience the Swami’s teachings and his shrine is also at the Ashram marking his resting place. Short courses on the Gita can be taken and health workers are trained to help rural people living around the ashram. A nine foot high statue of Lord Hanuman stands at the gate, spreading his special message of loyalty and bravery. Located in the scenic Himalayan mountain ranges, with its cool climates and fresh air, far away from the madness of city life, the ashram provides the environment necessary for meditation, spiritual fulfilment and introspection. People in search for spiritual succour make their way to this ashram from all across the country and the world. The ashram also holds short duration courses on the holy Gita (the sacred book of the Hindus), and trains health workers to look after the health needs of the villagers living in the Kangra valley.

Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA) is a popular Tibetan library situated in Dharamshala. It was founded by Tenzin Gyatso on 11th June 1970. He was the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet and founded this important institution of Tibetan works. There are numerous books in this library that were relocated during the 1959 escape from Tibet.Tibetan Buddhist manuscripts and archives are also available at this library. This library comprises over 80,000 manuscripts, documents and books on Tibetan culture, history, art and politics. It also houses more than 600 thangkas, artefacts and statues of Buddhist heritage.



Tsuglagkhang Complex is the abode of the Tibetan leader Dalai Lama. This complex also houses Namgyal Monastery where thousands of pilgrims offer prayer. It is a Buddhist complex which features many temples, stupas, bookshops, cafe and a museum.It also houses 3 m high bronze statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. Tourists can also see the images of Avalokitesvara and Padmasambhava in this complex.

Mata Kunal Pathri is a rock temple, located 3 km away from the famous Kotwali Bazaar. It is situated near the Durga Temple, which has a stone that remains wet all the time. Locals believe that when this stone starts drying, it starts raining in region. The road connecting this temple is covered by dense forests and tea gardens. Main deity in this temple is Goddess Durga or Kapaleshwari, one of the many incarnations of Goddess Sati.



Sri Baglamukhi Temple  is dedicated to Goddess Baglamukhi, one of the ten Hindu goddess of power, the temple is a famous religious sites, visited by hundreds of people from all over the country.




Baba Baroh Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and his consort, Radha. The temple was built by by a religious local devotee Mr. B.R. Sharma and the main attraction of the temple is its white marble exteriors and interiors.



Mani Lhakhang Stupa is one of the sightseeing attractions of Mcleodganj. This monument of worship was established in 2001 and is considered holy among Buddhist community.It was built under the instructions of Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, an Avalokiteshvara.



Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, preserves a wide number of musical, dance and theatrical traditions from Tibet. Maintaining its own workshops for making costumes, masks and musical instruments, the institute owns a modern Theater Troupe which shows contemporary plays.The institution also organizes an annual 10-day folk opera commencing on the second Saturday of April. During this occasion, a variety of folk operas, dance performances, plays and concerts are presented. Besides, on important national holidays other performances are also given throughout the year.

Nechung Monastery, the seat of the State Oracle of Tibet, located just below the Tibetan Library in Gangchen Kyishong, is one of the sightseeing attractions of Mcleodganj. The monastery is a part of Tsuglagkhang Complex.