Dharmshala
Introduction
Dharamshala is the winter capital of Himachal Pradesh is surrounded by dense coniferous forest consisting mainly of stately Deodar cedar trees in the lap of majestic Dhauladhar ranges. The city has been selected as one of a hundred in India to be developed as a smart city under Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi's flagship "Smart Cities Mission".On 19 January 2017, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Mr. Virbhadra Singh, declared Dharamshala as the second capital of Himachal Pradesh, making it the third national administrative division of India to have two capitals after the state of Maharashtra and the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The suburbs include McLeod Ganj, lying in the upper reaches, is known worldwide for being the home of the His Holiness Dalai Lama, Bhagsunag, Dharamkot, Naddi, Forsyth Ganj, Kotwali Bazar (the main market), Kaccheri Adda (government offices such as the court, police, post, etc.), Dari, Ramnagar, Sidhpur and Sidhbari (where the most housing is based).
History
Before the British Raj, Dharamshala and its surrounding area was under the Sikh Empire of Lahore. Under the British Raj, the regions were part of undivided province of Punjab and was ruled by the governors of Punjab from Lahore. The Katoch dynasty that earlier ruled this region had been reduced to status of jagirdars (of Kangra-Lambagraon) under the Treaty of Jawalamukhi, signed in 1810 between Sansar Chand Katoch and Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the Sikh Empire. The indigenous people of the Dharamshala area (and the surrounding region) are the Gaddis (Tribals of Dharamshala) predominantly Hindu group who traditionally lived a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle. Due to the lack of permanent settlements in the area, some Gaddis lost their seasonal pastures and farmland when the British and the Gurkhas arrived to settle. In 1848, the area now known as Dharamshala was annexed by the British. In 1860, the 66th Gurkha Light Infantry was moved from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh to Dharamshala. Dharamshala became a popular hill station for the British working in or near Delhi, However they moved Shimla after an earthquake caused a lot of disaster in 1905.
The Tibetan settlement of Dharamshala began in 1959, when the Dalai Lama had to flee Tibet and Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India allowed him and his followers to settle in McLeod Ganj. There they established the "government-in-exile" in 1960 and the Namgyal Monastery. Dharamshala had been connected with Hinduism and Buddhism for a long time, many monasteries having been established there in the past, by Tibetan immigrants in the 19th century.
Culture
Dharamshala is a culturally rich city with pahadi and gaddi culture. All major festivals of India are celebrated here However Himachal Pradesh being called “Shiv Bhoomi” Mahashivratri, Dussehra and Deepawali are celebrate on large scale. Shiv Nuala is also very important function in Gaddi Culture where lord Shiva worshippers take the whole night in the form of religious songs and dance.
Connectivity
• Road
Buses of all classes (deluxe, air-conditioned and regular) connect from city to other major states such as Chandigarh, Delhi and Shimla through NH 154 and NH 503.
• Air
Dharamshala town is reached by Gaggal Airport about 12 km from the town's south and about 10 km north from Kangra town.
• Rail
Pathankot, some 90 km away, is the nearest broad gauge railway head. The Kangra Valley Railway, a narrow gauge railway line connecting Pathankot to Jogindernagar, can also be used to reach the town via rail. This line is well-known for picturesque views of the Kangra valley from it. The nearest station to Dharamshala on this line is Chamunda Marg, located about 22 km southeast.
Food
While the hills and abundant spiritual centres in Dharamshala are attractive enough to beckon visitors, the food plays a major part in making ones stay better and more wholesome. The famous food of Dharamshala are ‘Tudkiya Bhaat’ (traditonal fried rice),Madra, Kangri dhaam (famous feast of Dharamshala, used in marriages and major functions), are traditional Himachali dishes. Tibetian delicacies such as Thupka, Shapta, Momos, Thenthuk will bring out the foodie inside you.
Places to Visit (Distance from airport)
✈ Dharamshala cricket stadium (11.7Km)
✈ Mcleod Ganj (18 Km)
✈ Bhagsunath Temple along with Bhagsu Waterfall (18.7km)
✈ Dal Lake at Naddi (18.6 km)
✈ Kangra valley (07 km)
✈ Dharamkot (19Km)
✈ Ropeway (13.8km)
✈ Dalai Lama Temple Complex (17.7km)
✈ Gyuto Monastery (25.6 Km)
✈ Tea Gardens of Dharamshala (10 Km) and Palampur (37.9 Km)
✈ Shobha Singh Art Gallery at Palampur (45.8 km)
✈ Sunset from Naddi and Bhangotu village (15 Km)
Religious Places to Visit:
• Chaar Dhaam Temples
• Chamunda Devi
• Brajeshwri Mata
• Jwalaji Mandir
• Chintpurni Mata
Other important religious places are Indrunag Temple, Aghanjar Mahadev at Khaniyara, Bagulamukhi Mata at Bankhandi and Kunal Pathri Mata.
What is there to do in Dharamshala?
1 Paragliding in Bir Billing and Indrunag
2 Camping
3 Trekking
4 Rock Climbing
5 Cycling
Trekking In Dharamshala
Dharamshala is a starting point to a number of trekking trails that especially includes lead trekkers across Dhauladhar into the upper Ravi Valley and Chamba district. En route, trekkers cross through forests of deodar, pine, oak and rhododendron and pass streams and rivers and wind along vertiginous cliff tracks and the occasional lake waterfall and glacier.
A two kilometre amble takes one to Bhagsu and then a further three kilometre walk will lead the trekkers to Dharamkot. If one wishes to go on a longer walk then he/she can trek eight kilometres to Triund. The snow line of Ilaqa Got is just a five kilometre walk.
Other trekking trails that lead trekkers to Chamba from Dharamshala are:
• Total Pass (4575m) which begins from Tang Narwana (1150m) that is nearly 10 km from Dharamshala
• Across Bhimghasutri Pass (4580m) via near-vertical rocky ascents, steep cliffs and dangerous gorges. This is a highly difficult level trek and takes around six days to complete.
• Dharamshala—Bleni Pass (3710m) – Dunali. Compared to other trekking trails, this one is much easier and takes around four or five-days to complete. The trek leads through alpine pastures, woods and streams, before ending at Dunali, on the Chamba road.
• Dharamshala is an ideal destination for rock climbing enthusiasts. One can go rock climbing over the ridges of the Dhauladhar range.
• Kareri Lake (near Kareri village) is also a famous trekking destination for travellers.
• Triund-Thatri-Trek a circular trek for two nights and three days around Dharamshala. The first day involves walking up to Triund and staying for a night and the second day walk to a village called Thatri and stay overnight at Camp Himalayan Nest. The third day after walking for couple of hours, walkers reach to broadhead near Dharamshala.
Dharamshala International Film Festival
DIFF was established in 2012, usually happens in month on November. It is presented by White Crane Arts & Media trust, established by filmmakers Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam to promote contemporary art, cinema and independent media practices in the Himalayan region
Best Time to Visit Dharamshala
There is no particular time to visit Dharamshala as every season has its own beauty here. Summers are pleasant with cool breeze flowing with scent of forest trees all over the place. In Monsoon, you can enjoy sitting in the cafes having your favourite beverages, when the rain drops falling from the sky, clouds are moving around the valley and mountains, will leave you awestruck. Also small-small waterfall flowing from the mountains will make you feel mesmerized. In Winters, you can enjoy the phenomenal view of mighty Dhauladhars and lower peaks loaded with snow.
Final Words
Dharamshala in past few years has become very popular in India as it offers you the best of both worlds. At one point you will find yourself surrounded with lots of social Cafes and markets however at the other point you can go in complete isolation where you can meditate and bring out your spiritual side. Many people from India come to Dharamshala after work-from-home culture evolves in many corporate sectors. Lots of Co-living and Co- working spaces have been opened in past few years. People also love to spend their after retirement life here in lap of serenity and nature.
So when are you coming here to experience the magic?
Because mountains are calling…………
With warm regards,
By: Team Dharamshala
