Dharamsala is situated in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It lies on a spur of the Dhauladhar range, the Pir Panjal region of the Outer Himalayas; and commands majestic views of the mighty Dhauladhar ranges above, and the Kangra Valley below. Dhauladhar means "white ridge" and this breathtaking, snow-capped range rises out of the Kangra Valley to a height of 5,200 meters (17,000 feet).

The mountains dominate the scenery in McLeod Gunj. They form a treacherous range creating unpredictable weather, but passes of 2,400 meters (8,900 feet) provide route for the herdsmen of the Ravi Valley beyond. The Kangra Valley is a wide, fertile plain, criss-crossed by low hills. The scenery touched the heart of a British official who wrote: "No scenery, in my opinion, presents such sublime and delightful contrasts. Below lies the plain, a picture of rural loveliness and repose. Turning from this scene of peaceful beauty, the stern and majestic hills confront us... above all are wastes of snow to rest on."

Dharamsala is divided into two very different parts. Kotwali Bazaar and areas further down the valley (at the average height of 1,250 meters) are called Lower Dharamsala, while McLeodGunj (at the height of nearly 1,800 meters) and surrounding areas are known as Upper Dharamsala. McLeodgunj is nine kilometers by bus route and four kilometres by taxi route up the hill from Kotwali Bazaar. While inhabitants of Lower Dharamsala are almost all Indians, McLeod Gunj is primarily a Tibetan area.

McLeod Gunj is surrounded by pine, Himalayan oak, and rhododendron and deodar forests. The main crops grown by local Indians in the valleys below McLeod Gunj are rice, wheat and tea. Today, streams of Tibetan refugees from all over the world flock to McLeod Gunj to receive blessings and teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.Western and Indian tourists and scholars come here to see the rebirth of an ancient and fascinating civilization. The high altitude and cool weather contribute physically to this recreation of the original Tibetan environment. Dharamshala pulsates with the sights and sounds of old Tibet.

Though certainly more modern, life is basically Tibetan in character. Shops strung out along the narrow streets of McLeod Gunj sell traditional Tibetan arts and handicrafts and the aroma of Tibetan dishes lingers in the air.

Places to visit:
Mcleodganj (1700 mt) 9 km up from Kotwali Bazar Dharamsala is the famous town Mcleodganj often called the ‘Little Lhasa’.

This is the residence of HH the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan Government in exile has been here for almost four decades. The impressive monastery has larger than life images of the Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avalokteshwara. A large Tibetan community and the presence of traditional architectural designs drawn from Tibet have enhanced the charm of the area. A host of Tibetan handicrafts and garments are available.

Tsuglag Khang (Central Cathedral) Though a plain and utilitarian substitute for its far more splendid name sake in Lhasa, also known as the Jokhang, the Tsuglag Khang is nevertheless fascinating and peaceful. Situated opposite the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,Tsuglag Khang is known to the local Indians as the Main Temple. It houses three main images: thatof the Sakyamuni Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of Compassion, of whom the Dalai Lama is the current emanation.

The principal image is that of Sakyamuni Buddha, measuring three metres high and made of gilded bronze. To its right are the images of Padmasambhava and Avalokitesvara which are both facing

Tibet.Namgyalma Stupa Surrounded by prayer wheels, this Buddhist stupa, is located in the centre of McLeod Gunj.Erected as a memorial to those Tibetans who lost their lives fighting for a free Tibet, Namgyalma Stupa stands as a monument to the determination of a suppressed people to preserve their distinctive way of life against overwhelming odds. With a statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha enshrined in a small chamber, the stupa is built in the tradition of the third century Indian Emperor Ashoka and represents peace and progress. Day and night, devotees turn prayer wheels as they circumambulate the stupa, reciting mantras.

Church Of St. John Fifteen minutes' walk from McLeod Gunj, the Anglican church lies in the forest near Forsyth Gunj. This neo-Gothic stone church was built in 1852 and has some fine Belgian stained-glass windows. It miraculously survived the 1905 earthquake - only the spire collapsed. A memorial to Lord Elgin stands in the churchyard.

The British Viceroy died in Dharamsala and is buried here. Visiting hours for the church and cemetery are 10 am to 5 pm each day.

Dal Lake About three kilometers from McLeod Gunj and next to the Tibetan Children's Village, this small lake is brownish in colour and not nearly as impressive as the name and reputation suggest. However, there are many interesting walks around the lake.

Bhagsunag This ancient temple is 2 kms from Mcleodganj. lose to this temple is a beautiful waterfall.Near the Dal Lake is the shrine of Bhagsunath an easy walk from the Mecleod ganj. Famous for its ancient temple and a pretty waterfall not far away. The rock temple dedicated to local Goddess is just 3 km from Kotwali Bazaar.

Dharamkot This village, twenty minutes' walk further up the hill from McLeod Gunj, is a favourite picnic spot with a panoramic view of the Kangra Valley. It is possible to rent houses from local Indians if you are planning a longish stay. Image by Dr B C Khanna

Triund Mcleodganj to Triund is a 9 km gradual trek which passes through the Dharmkot and Rakkar villages. The tracks from Rawa, Dallake, Dharamkot and Bhagsu meet at a ridge known as Galu Devi (2130m) which has a small temple and a water point. From Galu Oevi onward the track is smooth and clear and ascends through a mixed forest of oaks and rhododendrons. The track then gradually gains height and winds round the ridges looking towards Dharamsala and the Kangra valley.

The last climb after a snow nullah rises abruptly with steep ascents and the track weaves through twenty two curves making the ascent tiring and difficult. On this track one can spot many types of birds. Monals are in plenty. The black bear, leopards, pigs and wild goats are also found in this region. There is a small forest bungalow at Triund located on a big and green subsidiary ridge of the Dhauladhar range. The forest bungalow was built some years ago.

Norbulingka The Norbulingka Institute: The Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture was founded by the Department of Religion and Culture to preserve and promote Tibetan art and culture in exile. It derives its name from the His Holiness the Dalai Lama's beautiful summer residence, the Norbulingka (Jewel Garden), set in parkland two kilometers from Lhasa.Fearing for the future of Tibet's cultural heritage, the Seventh Dalai.

Chinmaya Tapovan An ashram complex has been established by late Swami Chinmayananda, a noted exponent of the Gita, at a distance of approximately 10 km from Dharamsala on the banks of the rivulet Bindu Saras. The complex includes a 9 m high image of Lord Hanuman, a magnificent Rama temple, a meditation hall, a school, and a health and recreation centre.

Kangra Kangra town is 18 km from Dharamsala. This was the first seat of Raja Sansar Chand II (1775-1823) .One of the ancient capital of powerful hill state-fort of Nagarkot(3km) stands as a mute witness to the ravages of conquerors from Mahmood of Ghazni to the Emperor Jehangir, and the disastrous earthquake of 1905. The place is now called "Purana Kangra".2 km from the bus stand is the temple dedicated to the goddess Barjeshwari Devi.

Jawalamukhi (600 mt) 56 km from Dharamsala is the famous temple of goddess Jawalamukhi also called the “Flaming Goddess” or “She of the flaming mouth”.It lies in the valley of Beas and is built over some natural jets of combustible gas believed to be a manifestation of the goddess Devi Bhagwati Jawalamukhi. A legend avers that the flames proceed from the mouth of demon Jalandhara, the Daitya King whom Shiva over-whelmed with mountains.

The temple building is modern whose dome is of gilt, gold and pinacles and possesses a beautiful folding door of silver plates, presented by the Sikh Raja Kharak Singh, which so struck Lord Hardinge that he had a model made of it. Many people, especially women take a vow that if anything they ardently wish for, is obtained, they will go on pilgrimage to the temple here. Beautiful songs in praise of the goddess are sung by the women on way to the temple. On the backside of the temple water runs along a water-course which takes off from a spring high above. Some say this canal was constructed by Emperor Akbar to try to quench the flames.

The attempt having proved abortive, he became a devotee of the Goddess. The song popularly sung in praise of the Goddess describes how the Mughal Emperor came barefooted and placed a crown of gold before the Goddess as offering. That crown is still preserved and it is said, it was turned into copper as soon as the Emperor looked back in pride and thought of costly present he had made. The interior of temple consists of a square pit about three feet.deep with a pathway all round. In the middle, the rock is slightly hollowed out about the principal fissure and on applying a light the gas bursts into flames.

The gas escapes at several other points from the crevices of the walls of the pit. There is no idol of any kind, the flaming Fissure being considered as the fiery mouth of Godess. There is the Gorakh Dibbi, Chaturbhuj Temple and a host of other smaller shrine at Jawalamukhi town.

Chintpurni 84 km south of Dharamsala and 3 km from Bharwain is the famous temple of Chintpurni on a ridge top. A stone idol (pindi) represents the goddess According to the legend, hundreds of years ago a brahmin, Maldas, saw in a dream a young girl with a lion listening to devotional music under a banyan tree.

She told him that she was goddess Durga (Bhagwati) Chhinmastika -the headless form in which she killed Nishumukh, and, wanting to stay there, she asked him to build a temple for her and become its priest. She also told him that anybody who worshipped her with a pure heart would be relieved of all worries, hence the name Chintpurni. The main fair at the temple is held during Navratras (April and October) and during the days of Shuklapaksh of Shavan (August), when thousands of people visit this place.

Pong Dam (500 mt) Pong Dam reservoir is 65 km Pathankot and 115 km from Dharamsala. Nestled in the sylvan surroundings of the Kangra valley, the sprawling Pong Dam wetland has emerged as a major habitat for migratory birds in the country as also an attraction for bird watchers.

The most common bird species that have arrived and often visit this lake every year include ruddy-shell ducks (surkhab), bar-headed geese, mallards, coots, pochards and pintails besides rare red-necked grebe and gulls.

These species come from as far as China, Siberia, Central Asia, Pakistan and Ladakh. According to a census, more than one lakh migratory birds visited the lake last year. Built in 1960, the Pong Dam reservoir is the only place in the country after the Bharatpur Sanctuary where the red-necked grebe descends every year. Similarly, though seashore species, the arrival of gulls on this lake also make the Pong Dam an exception. It may be recalled that it was in 1920 when a British police officer counted as many as 27 bird species in this region of Kangra district.

Subsequently, it was designated as a protected area. The water body occupies an area of at least 18,000 hectares and extends up to 30,000 hectares at the peak monsoon. An area of about 20,000 hectares within the radius of 5 km has been notified as the buffer zone. However, there is abundant aquatic vegetation on the lake and mixed perennial and deciduous pine forests on hillsides girding up the lake to provide enough food and shelter respectively to the migratory birds even as under the social forestry programme a large number of eucalyptus trees have been raised in the area to enable migratory birds to seek shelter on these trees.

Tatwani & Machhial (500 mt) 20 km fro Dharamsala and 4 km from Rait (on Dharamsala-Pathankot Road) is the beautiful waterfall. 5 km down lies the hot spring of Tatwani (a contraction of Tatta pani) on the bank of Gaj rivulet, a tributory of Beas. The hot spring issues at a height of about five feet from the side of the hill.

Chamunda Another 20 km from Kangra is the famous Chamunda Nandikeshwar dham. This place also has a beautiful bathing ghat and a small temple across the bridge joining the ghat. There are ample arrangements to stay in the temple sarai and the rest house at Dadh. Up in the Dhauladhar hills, a trek of about 16 km, is the place where Bhagwati Chamunda, according to the Puranas, Vanquished the demons Chand and Munda.

MASRUR- Rock cut Temple

Location : 15-kms South Of Kangra

Altitude : 8,00m
Houses : 15 Rock-Cut Monolithic Temples

Famous As : Hindu Pilgrimage

Masrur (800mt)-Masrur is 36 km from Dharamsala on Nagrota Surian link road and is famous for remarkable group of rock cut temples. They form a group of 15 monolithic rock cut temples in the Indo Aryan style and are richly carved. The main shrine contains three stone images of Ram laxman and Sita but the presence of the figure of Shiva in the centre of the lintel affors a strong presumption that the temple was originally dedicated to Mahadeva.

Archaeological Sites In the fields between Khanyara Road and the village of Dari, at Uparal, two smooth granite boulders inscribed in Brahmi and Kharoshtin scripts record that this was the site of a Buddhist monastery in 200 B.C. An Archaeological Survey of India signboard marks the rock inscription. And at Chetru village, near Kangra, the ruins of a stupa, and a headless standing Buddha statue, mark what is believed to have been a larger monastic complex from the age when Buddhism flourished in the valley, circa 300 B.C. Among the wealth of antiquarian finds at various Buddhist sites in Himachal, made on pioneering field-trips by Dr. Handa, the stupa remains at Chetru are the only significant monuments to survive in any recognizable form.

Activities you can do:

Trekking in Dhauladhar There are a number of peaks in this region which are very temempting and attract the novice mountaineers to scale them and learn the art of.

Paragliding in Kangra valley:- "I really enjoyed my flight. The conditions at Bir and Billing are excellent". Germany's top paraglider Norman Lausch, who won the Pre-world Cup-2002 said "I have enjoyed every minute of my paragliding here and I would love to be here again".

Getting There
Air The nearest airport is Gaggal airport, 15 km south of Dharamsala and there are Flights to and from Dharamshala. From there you can take an auto.

Rail The nearest stations on the picturesque mountain railway (narrow gauge) are at Kangra and Nagrota (about 20 km south of Dharamsala). And the nearest railhead (broad gauge) connecting Dharamsala to and Jammu is at Pathankot.

Road Non-local buses usually arrive at and depart from the New Bus Stand in Lower Dharamsala. The booking office there is open daily between 8 am and 1 pm, and 2-7 pm. There are buses to and from Chamba, Delhi, Pathankot. Of these, the routes to and from Manali, Mandi, Pathankot, Kangra and Delhi are covered by state-run transport services. Some of these buses continue (after a short halt) all the way up to McLeodganj. From McLeodganj, there are buses to Delhi, Manali and Pathankot, and also deluxe buses to Manali and Delhi. Tickets for these routes can be booked at any of the travel agencies.

However, buses to and from Manali and Chamba are intermittent during the monsoon and winter seasons, because of blocked roads and mud slides along these routes.