Dharamshala is one of the most popular tourist places of Himachal Pradesh. If you are planning to spend your holiday in the lap of mountains and greenery in India, you are most welcome to Dharamshala city. This beautiful city is situated in the Kangra valley, which is surrounded by the Dhauladhar mountains.
Whether you are a nature lover or an adventure freak, Dharamshala has everything to offer which you want to do on your weakened holiday. Here you can go for Paragliding or walk around the flower bed. You will enjoy this amazing trip to Dharamshala. The landscapes are covered with a blanket of oak and conifer trees.
The small hill station is covered with snow-clad peaks on three sides. It is famous as the Little Lhasa in India ever since it became the provisional headquarters of the Dalai Lama. Dharamshala houses Tibetan refugees and Buddhist monks and is a great place to learn about their heritage and culture.
Some of the best places to visit in Dharamshala are the Kangra Art Museum, War Memorial, Kunal Pathri Temple, and the tea gardens. The perfect season to explore the nature of Dharamshala and its surroundings is in the summer months.
If you've ever travelled from Dharamshala to Mcleodganj, then you’ll acknowledge the pile of cars that takes away happiness points from your vacation experience. There’s a newly opened cable car with stellar views of the mountains that has just opened. They promise to deliver you to your destination in nine minutes. Wow.
So, if you plan to visit Himachal Pradesh, here are the best places to visit in Dharamshala.
1. Dal lake
Dal lake is popular among couples. For newly married couples, visiting Dal Lake would be a great experience. Holding each others hands both of you can enjoy boating in Dal Lake. So get ready to explore the beauty of this beautiful lake.
2. Kangra Valley
One of the top picturesque valleys of Himachal, Kangra is tucked in the lower part of Himalayas. This place is mainly famous for rich art, craft, temples and fort ruins. People who wish to capture natural views along with huge fort minarets and other structures will love this alluring valley.
Explore places like Brajeshwari Temple, Kangra Fort, Kareri Lake, Baijnath Temple, Taragarh Palace and Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake to get varied backdrops for your images. There are the Masrur Temples that are built in a material such as sandstone, used in antiquity.
If you ever plan on visiting Himachal Pradesh, then you must visit the quaint village of Pragpur in the Kangra Valley. As old as the 1500s, it is India's first Heritage Village, and offers an unparalleled look at culture, arts, craft work, and history. From the old well to the fancy tile work, there are many stories here to unravel.
You can even visit the nearby Garli village with its heritage homes, or the Dada Siba shrine to sneak a peek at the Dhauladar range. And, of course, stay at old havelis.
3. Tea Garden
In the foothills of the Dhauladhar mountains there is a tea garden with a peaceful and anesthetic view which attracts tourists. You can spend a couple of hours in this peaceful and beautiful tea garden. It will refresh your mind.
4. Triund
Triund, the crown jewel of Dharamasha is at an altitude of 2,827 m. This beautiful place is situated 17 KM away from Dharamshala city. When you are planning to visit Dharamshala, you must consider trekking to Triund. The Triund trek is delightful for trekkers and nature lovers.
5. War Memorial
The War memorial is located at the entry point of Dharamshala. During the Indo-China wars of 1947, 1962, 1965 and 1967 many fighters lost their lives. This memorial is the sign of their sacrifice. Walking around the woods of this memorial gives peace. You must visit here once at least.
6. Kunal Pathri Temple
This old temple is situated in the Kangra district, which is surrounded by greenery. There is a belief that Devi Durga has been immortalized as stone and remains wet inside this temple. You can worship in this temple and ask Maa Durga for blessings. Tourists visit here to enjoy the delightful nature and wonderful breeze.
In Dharamshala there is an old temple of Goddess Durga, known as Jwalamukhi temple. There is a belief that the tongue of Goddess Sati fell here and a small blue flame was the witness. You can worship here and be a part of the prayer and havan of this temple, which is performed by Pandits.
7. Namgyal Monastery
Capture the images of big monasteries with mountainous backdrops, natural places adorned with colourful prayer flags and curvy paths having big prayer wheels in Dharamshala. Pose with monks dressed in their traditional costume to record the essence of the place! Despite its colonial past, Dharamshala has strong Tibetan influences with a large number of monasteries and temples.
Higher up in Upper Dharamshala is McLeod Ganj, the residence of the Dalai Lama, founder of the shrine in 1960. The spiritual Guru of Tibetans, the Dalai Lama lives in the Namgyal Monastery. It is the largest Tibetan temple outside of Tibet which was established in the 16th century. In this monastery the monks follow and learn the path of spirituality.
The monastery remains covered by prayer flags and is full of peace and divine energy. Tourists visit here and experience the beautiful sculptures of this religious monastery. If you have faith in spirituality you must visit here and experience the positive vibes. Cimb up to Gangchen Kyishong, seat of the Tibetan government in exile.
8. St. John in the Wilderness
In 1857 St. John Church was established which was dedicated to John the Baptist. This Church is situated in the middle of Mecleodganj and Forsyth Gunj. This church has belgian stained glass windows and is a fine example of neo-Gothic architecture. If you wish to visit this beautiful church and take part in prayer, then the best time to travel here is on Sunday during the mass prayer.
9. Bhagsunag Falls
About 2 km away is Dharamkot and Bhagsu, two good alternatives to stay and rest away from the city's horns.Bhagsu falls is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Dharamshala. This is situated in the Kangra valley, from where you can see the breathtaking views. Near the Bhagsu falls, there is a temple of Shiva which is also known as Bhagsunag temple.
10. Kangra Art Museum
Start your visit through the busy center, Lower Dharamshala, where you will find the Kangra Art Museum, a window to the history of the region. Due to the awe-inspiring history and marvelous heritage of Kangra fort, tourists visit here the most. This amazing fort is the witness of the Royal family of Kangra - The Katoch Dynasty. You can visit here and unveil the truth of Kangra fort as you listen to stories of the fort from the locals. The fort opens at 9 AM and closes at 6 PM.
In Dharamshala there are various things to do and visit, but in this post we have shared the top best places. If you are in love with nature and beautiful sightseeing, Dharamshala will be your favourite destination. To travel to this beautiful place you can take a private cab or get a tour package.
If you wish to visit Dharamshala, book a flight ticket or catch a train from New Delhi. The nearest airport of Dharamshala is Gaggal in the Kangra district. It is just 15 Km aways from Dharamshala. It takes 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes to reach Gaggal airport from New Delhi Indira Gandhi International airport.
