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A Rendezvous With
Dharamshala |
Spreading
the message of peace and harmony with fluttering prayer flags all around and
prayer wheels off the sidewalks, Dharamshala is a picturesque hill station
and Buddhist pilgrimage destination in the Himalayas. Located in the upper
reaches of Kangra Valley in western Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala is today
better known as the home in exile of Dalai Lama, Buddhist spiritual leader
and temporal head of the Tibetan people. The combination of spiritual aura
and scenic beauty makes Dharamshala one of the most visited destinations of
northern India. Dharamshala literally means the holy refuge.
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Things You Can Do
In Dharamshala |
» Sightseeing : There are various
monasteries and gompas of tourist's interest. They are the most ideal place
here to hang around. The surrounding areas are best for walks.
» Shopping : The most popular items to shop in
Dharamshala are Tibetan crafts and carpets.
» Trekking : Trekking would be wonderful for those
who love such adventure. The natural surroundings will be a treat to your
eyes.
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Sightseeing in
Dharamsala |
» Mcleod Ganj : It is the place in
Dharamsala where Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama lives. Thousands of
people come to seek blessings of the living deity from all parts of the
world. When in residence, Dalai Lama heads the prayer sessions. Special
permission is required to meet the spiritual leader personally. The best
time to meet Dalai Lama is after the Tibetan New Year which falls in March.
» Tushita Meditation Centre : For those who are in
search of inner peace, Tushita Meditation Centre is the best place to be in.
The dedicated monks take classes on Buddhist forms of meditation both for
beginners and advanced practitioners. The centre also offers clean
residential accommodation. Monks from western countries could be seen in
large numbers here.
»
Namgyal Monastery : The monastery holds great significance for
Buddhists. It is an important centre for Buddhist studies and research.
'Tsuglagkhang', opposite the Dalai Lama's residence contains large gilded
bronzes of the Buddha, Avalokiteswara and Padmasambhava. Nechung monastery
is also worth a visit.
» Norbulingka Institute : This is another major
center of Buddhist learning. Tourists can see young lamas learning Thangka
paintings here. Many beautiful paintings done by elder lamas are also
displayed here.
» War Memorial : The War Memorial of Dharamshala
situated at the entry point to Dharamshala commemorates our soldiers who
laid down their lives for the honour of the nation. The memorial is ideally
located amid lush green pine forests.
» Library of Tibetan Works and Archives : Located in
the southern end of McLeod Ganj, the library has one of the world's most
comprehensive collections of original Tibetan manuscripts. The ancient texts
and books found here cover virtually every aspect of Tibetan life. The
library has been richly decorated on the outside with colorful Tibetan
motifs.
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Excursions from
Dharamsala |
There are several places near Dharamsala that make excellent
excursion options. Bhagsu on the outskirts has a beautiful temple and many
sacred pools. Naddi is another place which offers a splendid view of the
Dhauladhar ranges. The place is also popular for mountaineering and
trekking. About 40 kms from Dharamsala is the little town of Palampur which
is a favorite with trekkers and also surrounded by old British Raj-style tea
plantations.
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Most Ideal Time To
Visit |
Located in the Himalayas, Dharamshala is a cold place. During the
winter months from November to February, the mercury might drop below 0
degrees and there might be snowfall also. On the other hand, summers are
very pleasant with temperature in the range of 15-25 degrees during the
period. Light woolens are generally required during summer season. The
March-July period is the best time to visit Dharamshala.
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Getting There |
» By Air : The airport nearest to
Dharamshala is Gaggal airport located 15 kms away. Being a small airport,
the frequency of flights to the place is less. As such, it would be better
on the part of tourists to check flight availability and timings from
different destinations from the Indian Railways Website. Jagson Airlines
operates flights to Gaggal Airport. However, these flights are subject to
weather conditions. One can take a taxi from the airport to reach
Dharmshala.
» By Trains : The nearest broad gauge railhead from
Dharamsala is Pathankot at a distance of 95 kms, which is well connected to
Delhi and other cities by express and superfast trains. On the narrow gauge,
the station closest to Dharamsala is Kangra Mandir railway station (22 km).
» By Road : Both government and private bus services
are available to Dharamshala from Shimla and other destinations of Himachal
Pradesh. The choice of routes to reach Dharamsala, in fact all the various
towns of the Kangra Valley, is from three different points - Delhi /
Chandigarh, Shimla / Manali and Pathankot.
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Anchoring In
Dharamshala |
Dharamshala
is a calm and quiet place in the Kangra valleys. Most tourists come here for
Buddhist pilgrimage and seek the blessings of Buddhist spiritual leader, the
Dalai Lama. Though religious Dharamshala is a good place for fun and frolic.
There are also some nearby destinations where tourists can indulge in
mountaineering and trekking.
The best option to move around in Dharamshala is by hiring taxis and autos.
Rates are generally fixed for the various tourist destinations.
Tourists desirous of visiting Dharamshala can book with us. We have been
conducting trips to Dharamshala for the past many years now. We have luxury
tourist cabs for transportation and tie ups with leading hotels and guest
houses of the place.
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Accommodation |
Dharamshala has sufficient accommodation in the form of budget,
mid-range and top-end hotels. It would be advisable to avail advance booking
facilities in mid-range and top-end categories during the peak season.
dharamshala
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