Dharamshala, popularly known as the Scotland of India, stands on a spur of the Dhauladhar range amidst magnificient deodar and pine forests.
It is the district headquarters of Kangra district and is also known as ’’The Little Lhasa in India’’. It has every thing for a perfect holiday and is full of life and peace. The headquarters of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are here.
ATTRACTIONS IN & AROUND
BHAGSUNAG
Bhagsunag-which is referred firstly by the kings name (Raja Bhagsu ) and then by the Lords name –Nag is believed to be historical. It is about 11 kms. from Lower Dharamshala and we find an old temple and a fresh water spring. The temple of Bhagsu is devoted to Lord Shiva.
CHINMAYA TAPOVAN
This is a modern day Ashram established by late Swami Chimayananda, exponent of the Gita, and is about 10 kms. from the town. Situated on the banks of Bindu Saras, the ashram includes a 9m high image of Hanuman, a Ram temple, a meditation hall, a school and a health & recreation center.
DAL LAKE
About 11 kms. from Dharamshala is a miniature oval-shaped artificial lake called Dal Lake surrounded by gigantic Fir trees. An annual fair is held in September every year. This lake has a charm of its own, solely due to its surrounding forest and hills.
DHARAMKOT
This is an attractive picnic spot, about 11-km away from Dharamsala and presents a panoramic view of the Kangra valley and Dauladhar ranges. Besides offering a panoramic view of the Dhaula Dhar range of mountains, Kangra valley and the Pong Dam, the village once had a gallery of a well-known english painter A.W. Hallot. Today its is a favourite picnic spot.
JWALAMUKHI TEMPLE
This temple is 30 kms. from Kangra dedicated to the ’’Goddess of Light’’. In this temple there is a copper pipe through which natural gas comes out and the priest of the temple lights this. A golden spire, a gift from the Emperor Akbar, tops the temple.
KUNAL PATHERI
These are the rock temples from which the place derives its name. Kunal Pathri is a 3 kms. flat walk from Kotwali Bazaar. All around it is a sprawling tea estate.
MASROOR
About 15 kms. South of Kangra this is the only shrine carved out of live rock in North India. Images of Ram Sita and Lakhsman can be found in the sanctum of the main temple.
MCLEOD GANJ
This was originally the home of the semi-nomadic Gaddi tribe, and today the residence of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. This is now a major culture centre of Tibetian culture and the impressive monastery has life size images of Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avaloketeshwara.
NURPUR
66kms. from Dharamshala , Nurpur is famous for an old fort and a temple of Brij Raj. It is named after the Mughal Empress Nurjehan. There is a PWD rest house for the convenient stay of tourists.
ST. JOHNS CHURCH
This charmingly dressed stone church is about 8 kms. from Dharamsala on the way to McLeod Ganj. Under the shade of Doedar branches, a memorial has been made over the body of the British Viceroy, Lord Elgin who died in 1863.
TRIUND
This is on the foothills of Dhauladhar range and is 17 kms. from Dharamsala. The breathtaking views of the mountains and the valleys make Triund an ideal picnic and trekking spot. A Ropeway is being installed from Dharamshala to this place.
WAR MEMORIAL
Set amidst the pine groves is a war memorial, to commemorate the post independence war heroes of Himachal Pradesh. A web of narrow paths and landscaped lawns lead towards this monument.