The most striking features of the town are the colourful temple and Gompas, which reflect the culture of Tibet. The nearby snow covered peaks, numerous streams and the salubrious ambience makes the surroundings perfect for the peace and nature lovers. Dharamsala is essentially a very small city, and you can walk to all the destinations present within the city. Walking through the streets of Dharamsala can itself be a magical experience, and you will not need to take up a bus or an auto rickshaw unless you have to head to McLeodganj or any other region that lies away from the center in Dharamsala. Lower Dharamsala is at an altitude of 1,400 m, while McLeod Ganj is at around 1,750 m, making them considerably cooler than the plains below. Temperatures in January can dip below freezing, while June can go up to 38°C. The monsoon season from July to September is very wet. Even in March, when the Dalai Lama holds his teachings and the weather down in Delhi is downright balmy, you will still need a heavy winter coat. These can be purchased at reasonable prices in the town.
1) Lower Dharamshala : Lower Dharamshala mainly consist of Schools, Government Offices, it also consist of some Tea gardens too. It is mostly like the typical Indian Town.
2) Upper Dharamshala : upper Dharamshala is located above the lower Dharamshala area and another name of upper Dharamshala is "Mcload Ganj". It is home of the Tibetan Community and located at an altitude of about 1750 meter above the sea level and cooler than the lower Dharamshala.
Get In :
By Plane : The nearest Airport from Mcload Ganj is Gaggal Airport near Kangra which is about 15 Km from Mcload Ganj by road. There are about two flights from the Delhi airport.
By Train : By train is not the good option to go to Dharamshala because the nearest Railway Station is Pathankot, overnight journey from Delhi. From Pathankot you have to go to Kangra a journey takes around 6 hours and still leaves you about 15 Km away from Mcload Ganj.
By Bus : Bus is the best option to come Dharamshala. Most of the people choose Bus. Dharamshala has good connections with the other Northern parts of India through Bus. The journey is quite slow but the view outside the bus is just awesome. There are many HRTC bus services available directly from Manali, Dehradun and from Delhi.
HRTC also provides the volvo services from these states.
Prime Attractions :
1) Kangra Art Museum : Kangra Art Museum is the place where the arts, crafts, and rich past of Kangra Valley is showcased, some of which even dates back to the 5th century. he variety of items on display includes woodcarvings and tribal jewellery, sculptures and pottery, anthropological items, collections of coins and manuscripts, royal tents, Shamianas and pandals, etc. One can also appreciate the gallery of Kangra's famous miniature paintings and a wide collection of sculptures, pottery, and anthropological items, contained in the museum. It is said to be a pictorial representation of the cultural heritage of Himachal Pradesh. The colors used in this style of painting are extracted from dried-up flowers and herbs and this art form has a strong thematic base. The most famous miniature paintings of the Kangra School revolve around historical, religious and traditional background of the royalty and the courts of the former rulers of Kangra that belonged to Katoch dynasty.
2) St. John's Church : There are many interesting places and monuments in and around the scenic town of Dharamshala, in Himachal Pradesh. St. John's Church is one such magnificent monument, which sits pretty in the vicinity of Dharamshala, at a distance of about 8 km from the town. Just 8-kms from Dharamsala on way to McLeod Ganj, under the shade of Doedar trees, this stone memorial stands over the body of the British Viceroy, Lord Elgin, who died at Dharamsala in 1863. St. John's Church has decorated glass windows. These glass windows add to the beauty of the church. The glasses are covered with a fine mosaic of patterns, which are a delight to the eye. These glass windows are Belgian in origin and have been specially gifted by none other than Lady Elgin.
3) Tsuglagkhang Complex : This is the largest Tibetan temple outside Tibet, and it has a large meditation hall containing some beautiful statues and thangkas, as well as a Kalachakra temple with beautiful murals. The complex is constructed in a location near Mcleod Ganj and is overlooked by the mountain ranges of Dhauladhar. Lush pine forests offer the natural beauty and the atmosphere offers a perfect tranquility in the location. t is the monastery of the Dalai Lama, and is located just in front of his residence. On the basement level of the complex you will also find the Namgyal Cafe, which is run as a work-training center for Tibetan youth. Visitors are allowed to move anywhere in the complex without any obstacles and difficulties.
4) Bhagsunag Fall : Bhagsu is a serene village located very close by to the Mcleodganj city center. Bhagsu Falls is a small yet beautiful waterfall located around 0.5 km from the Bhagsunath temple. The waterfall is revered by devotees who throng the temple. Bhagsunag fall has many waterfalls, an ancient temple, numerous slate quarries and a fresh water spring.
1) Kangra Art Museum : Kangra Art Museum is the place where the arts, crafts, and rich past of Kangra Valley is showcased, some of which even dates back to the 5th century. he variety of items on display includes woodcarvings and tribal jewellery, sculptures and pottery, anthropological items, collections of coins and manuscripts, royal tents, Shamianas and pandals, etc. One can also appreciate the gallery of Kangra's famous miniature paintings and a wide collection of sculptures, pottery, and anthropological items, contained in the museum. It is said to be a pictorial representation of the cultural heritage of Himachal Pradesh. The colors used in this style of painting are extracted from dried-up flowers and herbs and this art form has a strong thematic base. The most famous miniature paintings of the Kangra School revolve around historical, religious and traditional background of the royalty and the courts of the former rulers of Kangra that belonged to Katoch dynasty.
3) Tsuglagkhang Complex : This is the largest Tibetan temple outside Tibet, and it has a large meditation hall containing some beautiful statues and thangkas, as well as a Kalachakra temple with beautiful murals. The complex is constructed in a location near Mcleod Ganj and is overlooked by the mountain ranges of Dhauladhar. Lush pine forests offer the natural beauty and the atmosphere offers a perfect tranquility in the location. t is the monastery of the Dalai Lama, and is located just in front of his residence. On the basement level of the complex you will also find the Namgyal Cafe, which is run as a work-training center for Tibetan youth. Visitors are allowed to move anywhere in the complex without any obstacles and difficulties.
4) Bhagsunag Fall : Bhagsu is a serene village located very close by to the Mcleodganj city center. Bhagsu Falls is a small yet beautiful waterfall located around 0.5 km from the Bhagsunath temple. The waterfall is revered by devotees who throng the temple. Bhagsunag fall has many waterfalls, an ancient temple, numerous slate quarries and a fresh water spring.