Dharamshala

Dharamshala

Dharamsala, popularly known as the ‘Queen of the Hills’, is divided into lower and upper towns with a difference of 457m(1500ft.) between them.

The mountains enfold 3 sides of the town and the valley stretches to the south. There is a beautiful resort of Dharamsala, which stands on the spur of the Dharamsala range.

Dharamsala is known for its scenic beauty, calmness and serenity. It has high pine trees, tea gardens and timber yielding trees.

Dharamsala is now the seat of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. After the Chinese conquest of his country, Dharamsala is evocative of the imperial days in places like Mcleod Ganj and Forsythe Ganj. Dharamsala is the headquarters of the Kangra district. It became the capital in 1852 and is 125 years old.

Dharamsala stands at the foot of Dhauladhar and has a magnificent view of snowy peaks, deodar and pine forests, tea gardens and beautiful hills. The snow line is perhaps more easily accessible at Dharamsala than any other hill station in India. Dharamsala now really has become international, with a number of Tibetan settlements and the residence of Noble Laureate the ‘Dalai Lama'. Dharamsala is divided into two distinct parts : lower Dharamsala the civil and business area with Courts and Kotwali bazaar and upper Dharamsala composed of places like Mcleod Ganj and Forsyth Ganj.

Picnic Spots

You’ll surely hold your breath when you take in the awe-inspiring sceneries at Dharamkot and the Dal Lake or visit the beautiful hot springs at Tatwani and the magnificent waterfall at Machrial. The Pine forests and green meadows mark the beauty at the Kareri Lake and its adjacent guest house. The snow-capped mountains at Triund are a treat for the eyes and a favourite Trekking spot.

Dharamshala attracts a diverse assortment of people from all corners of the earth who come to study and meditate and to make contributions to the Tibetan cause.

Some travellers come just for the scenery (or for the ‘scene’), but those who take the time to explore under the surface are usually transformed by their experiences.

Many return home to enjoy life more deeply and positively transform their own lives and communities. But others seem to get ‘stuck’ here for months or even years, finding the beauty of the natural surroundings, the warmth of the people, the wisdom of the Tibetan and Indian spiritual traditions and the urgency of the Tibetan crisis compels us to stay awhile to learn and to serve.