Dharamshala is a major tourist and sightseeing place located in the Kangra district of the state of Himachal Pradesh. The place is famous all over the world as the holy abode of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan monks in exile here.

Dharamshala is located in Kangra city at a distance of 8 km from Kangra. The lower division is the city of Dharamshala, while the upper division is known as Mcleodganj. The word religion carries different meanings among different groups, both culturally and spiritually. Generally, Dharamshala refers to a shelter or rest house for pilgrims.

Apart from being a major religious city of India, Dharamshala is also a famous pilgrimage center. If you want to visit this place, then read the information given in this article thoroughly, in this we have given complete information about Dharamshala and 10 special places near it.

History of Dharamshala

Previously ruled by the Katoch dynasty for nearly two millennia, Dharamsala was annexed by the British in the year 1848. After this, in 1860, Gorkhas came to Dharamshala, who are associated with the city regarding the fate and history of this Gorkha tribe. Explain that Gurkhas were originally Nepali soldiers, who were recruited by the British to fight in World War. Many places in Dharamshala have been honored with his name like Depot Bazaar, Tiraha Lane etc.

Let us tell you that Dharamshala was a popular hill station for the British working in the Delhi region. Earlier this place was the summer capital of the British but the earthquake of 1905 killed more than 20,000 people. Shimla was then made the summer capital. After the earthquake in Dharamshala, the Gurkhas contributed a lot in the reconstruction of the city. After this Shimla was made the summer capital. Many Gurkhas also played a prominent role as freedom fighters in India’s freedom struggle. Captain of the Indian National Army – Ram Singh Thakur who was a Gurkha, and gave the famous patriotic song ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja’.

10 special places to visit in Dharamshala

There are many places to visit in Dharamshala Himachal Pradesh where you can go with your friends and family. In this article, we are telling you about the 10 most special places to visit in Dharamshala.

Dharamsala Cricket Stadium, Dharamsala

Nestled in the lap of the majestic Himalayan mountain range, Dharamshala has a small cricket stadium situated at an altitude of 1,457 meters above sea level. Let us tell you that this cricket ground is one of the highest sports grounds in the world. Visiting cricket stadiums in Dharamshala might sound strange to you, but the spectacular natural backdrop and the cool breeze constantly blowing across the grounds is what makes a visit to the HPCA stadium special.

War Memorial Dharamshala

The monument is situated in the deodar forests near the city and is well worth a visit. This is the memorial which is built at the entry point of it in the memory of those who fought to protect our motherland.

Dal Lake and Naddi Dharamshala

Namgyal Monastery, situated in the Tsuglagkhang complex, is one of the most visited tourist places near Dharamsala. Apart from being the residence of the Dalai Lama, this complex houses temples, bookshops, and many other shops.

Dharamshala Attractions Dalai Lama Temple Complex

The Dalai Lama Temple Complex, also known as the Tsuglakhang Temple, steeped in Tibetan culture, is a politico-religious center in Dharamsala. Wheels or garlands are present in the temple for peaceful meditation and religious prayer. Apart from this, the peaceful environment here attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world.

Kangra Art Museum, Dharamshala

The Kangra Museum showcases the magnificent marvels of Tibetan and Buddhist artwork and their rich history. It is located near its bus station. In this museum, you can see many old jewelry, rare coin memorabilia, paintings, sculptures and pottery.

Masroor Rock Cut Temple, Dharamshala

The Masroor Rock Cut Temple in Dharamshala, located at a distance of 32 km from Kangra, is an archaeological site which is currently in ruins. The complex here is a combination of 15 rock cut temples designed in the Indo- Aryan style of architecture.

This place is no less than a paradise for history lovers and tourists.

When is the best time to visit Dharamshala?

Well, you can go to Dharamshala throughout the year. However, the best time to visit it would be in spring and early summer when the maximum temperature is 25°C. The winters are sometimes drenched with snowfall which makes the valley more beautiful at this time. Avoid traveling here in monsoon as it might hamper your travel plans, but the place does not receive much rainfall as compared to other parts of Himachal and Uttarakhand.

Restaurants and local food in Dharamshala

If you are looking for places to eat in Dharamshala, then let us tell you that you can find many restaurants and cafes here, which provide simple and good food. Another special thing about this place is that there is a lot of honey ginger lemon tea here. is famous. There are many cafes here that offer a variety of breakfast specialties including pancakes, omelets, and sandwiches. One of the best establishments here are also Green Restaurant and Herbal Tea Shop. Food like Tibetan type samosas, soups and noodles are common here.

How to reach Dharamshala

Situated on the upper hilly terrains of the Kangra Valley, It is one of the most visited places in Himachal Pradesh. The beautiful hill station is known to be the residence of Tibetan leader Dalai Lama. The serene and spiritual atmosphere of the city attracts travelers from all parts of the world. The location is well connected to major cities in India including Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur.

How to reach there, Himachal by Rail?

By the way, Pathankot is the nearest. There is also a small railway station, Kangra Mandir, just 22 km from there, but no important trains stop here.

How to reach there by car –

Taxis are available for Dharamshala at Gaggal Airport and Pathankot Railway Station. It takes approximately 3 hours to reach there from Pathankot. Delhi to Chandigarh, Kiratpur and Bilaspur can take around 12-13 hours. You can book a taxi from Delhi too, here is also Haridwar Car Rental Contact Number.

How to reach Dharamshala by bus –

Many luxury buses ply from Delhi and Shimla to Dharamshala. It is well connected to Delhi and many cities in North India through state operated buses as well as private bus operator network. Delhi to Dharamshala is approximately 520 kilometers away.

How to reach here by flight –

If you want to travel by air, then tell me that the nearest airport is located in Gaggal, about 13 km from Dharamshala. Gaggal Airport connects Dharamshala to Delhi with the help of Air India and SpiceJet flights. If you are coming from any other part of India then the best option would be to take a flight to Chandigarh and book a taxi for your journey to there, which is approximately 275 kms away.