Dharmshala:-
Dharamsala is situated in the Northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It lies on a spur of the Dhauladhar range in 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 Kangra Valley is a wide, fertile plain, crisscrossed by low hills.
People from all over the world flock to Mcleodganj 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 the re-creation of the original Tibetan environment. Dharamsala 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 Mcleodganj sell traditional Tibetan arts and handicrafts and the aroma of Tibetan dishes lingers in the air.
.Famous Places around Dharamshala :
Dharamsala stands at the foot of Dhauladhar and has a magnificent view of snowy peaks, deodar and pine forests, tea gardens and beautiful hills. The snow line is perhaps more easily accessible at Dharamsala than any other hill station in India. Dharamsala now really has become international, with a number of Tibetan settlements and the residence of Noble Laureate the Dalai Lama.
War Memorial : A very well maintained place, set amidst beautiful surroundings, this memorial was built in 1972, near the entry point to Dharamshala in Civil Lines. The war memorial was built to commemorate the memory of soldiers and officiers of Kangra district who fought valiantly for the defence of Motherland in INDO-CHINA(1962) and INDO-PAK wars(1947-48,1965 & 1971) and during some peace operations under United Nations Auspicies.
Mcleodganj : The arrival of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, along with thousands of refugees to Dharamsala in 1959 made the life here more active. A number of tibetan settlements with religious education and other rehabilitation centres mushroomed all over the Mcleadganj. As Dharamsala became the headquarter of the Tibetan Government in exile, headed by Dalai Lama, it gained prominence all over the world and prominent personalities started arriving here.
Bhagsunag Fall : Known for its old temple, a fresh water spring, water falls and slate quarries. Bhagsunag can be approached by road. The Bhagsu fall is one of the main attractions of Mcleodganj. You can take a dip in the chilly water of fall. There are some trek routes to Triund near the fall. The fall forms a small stream. It is a perfect site for picnics and recreation.
St. John's Church : The church lies in the forest between Mcleod Ganj and Forsyth Ganj. It has a monument dedicated to Lord Elgin, one of the viceroys of India, who died at Chauntra ( Mandi district ) and was buried here in 1863 A.D. The Church has lovely spotted glass windows and there is a Christian cemetery around it. It is ideally situated in the majestic Deodar forest.
Dal Lake : Surrounded by deodar trees, this is on the motor road to Naddi. Held sacred, this has a small Shiva temple on its banks. The banks of the lake are enlivened every September by a fair attended - amongst others- by a large number of migrant Gaddi folk. Though small in area, this lake has a charm of its own solely due to its surrounding forest and hills.
New HPCA Crickret Stadium
The new HPCA Cricket stadium, is one of the beautiful stadium with a picturesque backdrop of the mighty Dhauladhar snow peaks. The pleasant weather adds to the popularity and glory of the game and helps to attract more spectators to the ground who come. This stadium has a maximum spectator capacity of 20,000 and provides modern facilities, split practise sessions, new rehabilitation centre, lounge, bar, restaurant, banquet hall which can house 500 odd people.
Gyuto Monastery, Sidhbari:
Sidhbari is where is located the Karmapa (Ogyen Trinley Dorje)'s temporary residence, at Gyuto monastery. Sidhbari is about six kilometers from Dharamsala. Karmapa means "the one who carries out buddha-activity" or "the embodiment of all the activities of the buddhas."
In the Tibetan tradition, great enlightened teachers are said to be able to consciously arrange to be reborn as a teacher who can carry on the teachings of a predecessor in a prior life.
Triund:
Triund is a popular picnic spot at a height of 2827 m. The area is on the foothills of Dhauladhar range and is 17kms from Dharamsala. The snow line starts at Illaqua, which is five kms from Triund. The breathtaking view of the mountains and the valleys makes Triund an ideal picnic spot and trekking destination.
