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Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh is today known for its Tibetan settlement and the Headquarters of the Dalai Lama in India. It is a convenient starting point for trips to the Kangra Valley, Palampur, Baijnath, Jwalamukhi, etc. Positioned as it is on a spur of the Dhauladhar range, it seems to be enfolded by mountains on three sides with the Valley stretching below on the fourth.

Dharamshala is an amalgam of many cultures and seems to be a mini world in itself.

Darmashala at a Glance: Find the facts, profile, climate conditions and other important statistics on Darmashala.

Area 28 Sq Km
Altitude Between 1250 meters to 1982 meters
Climate Summer
Max.36 C Min.21 C
Winter
Max. 14 C Min. 0 C
Clothing Cotton in summer and heavy wollen in winter
Best Season March to June & Sept. to Nov.
Languages Spoken Pahari (the local dialect), Hindi
STD Code 91 - 01892
Medical Facilities 91 - 01892

Find your way through Darmashala by air, train, bus and other modes of transportation. Travel conveniently with the latest information on train timings, flight timings in Darmashala.

By Air

Dharamshala can be approached by air from Delhi. The nearest airport is 13 km. away at Goggla

By Road

Direct and regular bus services operate from Delhi via Chandigarh, Kiratpur and Bilaspur. Taxis are also available.

By Rail

Up to Pathankot by broad gauge line (85 km) by road and then up to Kangra by narrow gauge line. The nearest railway station is Kangra Mandir (22 km

Find great Darmashala accomodation, Darmashala hotels, Darmashala lodges, Darmashala paying guest accomodation, Darmashala bacherlor rentals, Darmashala backpackers lodging, cottages, resorts. Low prices, best deals on Darmashala hotels and accomodation.

Udechee Huts
Naddi
Dharamshala Cantt
Himachal Pradesh - 176216
Telephone No: 01892 - 221781
Website: www.udecheehuts.com
Tariff: Rs. 1000 - 2300

Dev Cottages
Dharamkot
McLeodganj
Himachal Pradesh - 176219
Telephone No: 01892 - 221558
Website: www.devcottage.com

Asia Health Resort
Strawberry Hill
Near Dal Lake
Dharamsala Cantt
Himachal Pradesh - 176216
Telephone No: 01892 - 220877
Website: www.asiahealthresorts.com
Tariff: Rs. 1900 - 5000

Surya Resort
Bathri View Estate
Main Market
Gandhi Chowk
Himachal Pradesh - 176304
Telephone No: 01892 - 221418
Website: www.suryaresorts.com
Tariff: Rs. 900 - 1200

Snow Hermitage Resort
Village Kandi
P O Khanniara
Dist Kangra
Himachal Pradesh - 176218
Telephone No: 01892 - 227189
Tariff: Rs. 1500 - 2500

WelcomHeritage Grace Cottage
Old Chari Road
Kotwali Bazaar
Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh - 176215
Telephone No: 01892 - 223265
Website: www.welcomheritage.com
Tariff: Rs. 2500

Clouds End Villa
Khara Danda Road
Himachal Pradesh - 176215
Telephone No: 01892 - 222109
Tariff: Rs. 1100 - 2500

Meghavan Holiday Resort
Bhagsunag,
Near McLeodganj
Upper Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh - 176219
Telephone No: 01892 - 221935
Website: www.meghavanholidayresort.com
Tariff: Rs. 800 - 2500

Pema Thang Guest House
Hotel Bhagsu Road
Mcleodgunj
Dharamsala
Himachal Pradesh - 176219
Telephone No: 01892 - 221871
Website: www.pemathang.net
Tariff: Rs. 700 - 1000

Pong View Hotel
Cantt. Road
Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh - 176215
Telephone No: 01892 - 224820
Tariff: Rs. 600

Hunted Hill House Hotel
Jogiwara Road,
Mcleodganj.
Dharamsala,
Himachal Pradesh - 176219
Telephone No: 01892 - 220342
Website: www.huntedhill.com
Tariff: Rs. 400 - 600

Him Queen Hotel
McLeodganj
Dharamshala
Kangra
Himachal Pradesh - 176215
Telephone No: 01892 - 221184
Website: www.himqueenhotel.com
Tariff: Rs. 800 - 2000

Chonor House
Near Thekchen Choling
Mcleod Ganj
Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh - 176219
Telephone No: 01892 - 221006
Website: www.norbulingka.org
Tariff: Rs. 1400 - 2200

Jukaso Palace Hotel
Naddi(Talnoo),
Upper Dharamsala,
Dharamsala,
Himachal Pradesh - 176216
Telephone No: 01892 - 221336
Tariff: Rs. 1800

Royal Palace Hotel
Bhagsu Nag
Mcleodganj,
Dharamsala,
Himachal Pradesh - 176219
Telephone No: 01892 - 224465
Website: www.royalpalaceresort.com
Tariff: Rs. 1200 - 3000

India House Hotel
Bhagsunag Road,
Mcleodganj,
Dharamsala,
Himachal Pradesh - 176219
Telephone No: 01892 - 221457
Website: www.hotelindiahouse.com

Hotel Annex McLeod Ganj
Mcleodganj,
Dharamsala,
Himachal Pradesh - 176219
Telephone No: 01892 - 221002
Tariff: Rs. 900 - 1800

Swagat Gh
Near Cinema Kaniyara Road
Kotwali Bazar, Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh
Telephone No: 01892 - 224627
Tariff: Rs. 200

Shanti Hotel
Khamara Road
Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh - 176215
Telephone No: 01892 - 222009
Tariff: Rs. 600

Rose Hotel
Khamara Road
Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh - 176215
Telephone No: 01892 - 223232
Tariff: Rs. 300

Holiday Home
Gurudwara Road
Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh - 176215
Telephone No: 01892 - 224142
Tariff: Rs. 500

Dhauladhar Hotel
Katwali Bazar
Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh - 176215
Telephone No: 01892 - 224926
Tariff: Rs. 1200

Spring Valley Resort
BhagsuNath
Mcleodganj
Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh - 176215
Telephone No: 01892 - 221287
Tariff: Rs. 900 - 1700

White Haven Estate
P.O. 26
Chilgadi
Dharamshala
Telephone No: 01892 - 226162
Tariff: Rs. 2400 - 2700
Website: www.hotelwhitehaven.com

Asian Plaza Hotel
Main Chowk Mcleodganj,
Dharamsala,
Himachal Pradesh - 176219
Telephone No: 01892 - 220855
Website: www.asianplazahotel.com
Tariff: Rs. 1600 - 3200

Akashdeep Hotel
Bhagsunag,
Dharamsala,
Himachal Pradesh - 176219
Telephone No: 01892 - 221941
Website: www.hotelakashdeep.com
Tariff: Rs. 600 - 1300

Sahil Plaza Hotel
Temple Road,
Mcleodganj
Dharamsala,
Himachal Pradesh - 176214
Telephone No: 01892 - 220410
Website: www.hotelsahilplaza.com
Tariff: Rs. 800 - 1800

Kereri Lodge
Mcleodganj.
Dharamsala,
Himachal Pradesh - 176219
Telephone No: 01892 - 221132
Tariff: Rs. 400 - 900

Ashoka Hotel
Near New Bus Stand, Main Bazar
Dharamshala, Kangara
Himachal Pradesh
Telephone No: 01892 - 265147
Tariff: Rs. 100

Mount View Hotel
Jogiwara Road
Mcleodganj
Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh
Telephone No: 01892 - 221349
Tariff: Rs. 500 - 1500

Athiti Hotel
Kotwali Bazar
Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh - 176215
Telephone No: 01892 - 223267
Tariff: Rs. 200

Anupam Resorts
Upper Dharmashala
Near Del Lake, Dharmashala
Kangra Dist.
Himachal Pradesh
Telephone No: 01892 - 221281
Tariff: Rs. 1100 - 1400

Pine valley
Cantt Road ( Main Mcleod Ganj Road)
Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh - 176215
Telephone No: 01892 - 226853
Tariff: Rs. 750 - 850

Norling Guest House
Himachal Pradesh - 176057
Telephone No: 01892 - 246406
Tariff: Rs. 1200 - 2000

Anand Palace Hotel
Bhagsu Nag,
Mcleodganj,
Dharamsala,
Himachal Pradesh - 176219
Telephone No: 01892 - 220506
Website: www.anandpalace.com
Tariff: Rs. 1700 - 4500

Chinar Lodge Hotel
Mcleodganj,
Dharamsala,
Himachal Pradesh - 176219
Telephone No: 01892 - 221767
Website: www.chinarlodge.com
Tariff: Rs. 900 - 1800

Natraj Hotel
Mcleodganj,
Upper Dharamsala,
Dharamsala,
Himachal Pradesh - 176219
Telephone No: 01892 - 221574
Tariff: Rs. 900 - 1700

Sahiwa Hotel
Buddha Temple Road,
Mcleodganj.
Dharamsala,
Himachal Pradesh - 176219
Telephone No: 01892 - 220331
Website: www.sahiwahotel.com
Tariff: Rs. 600 - 1100

Yaksh Hotel
Kotwali Bazar
Near Bata Shop, Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh
Telephone No: 01892 - 223267
Tariff: Rs. 200

Surbhi Gh
Session Road
Kotwali Bazar, Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh - 176215
Telephone No: 01892 - 224798
Tariff: Rs. 300

Sajan Hotel
Barol Chamunda Devi Road
Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh - 176057
Telephone No: 01892 - 224526
Tariff: Rs. 400

Rainbow Lodge
Chari Road, Kotwali Bazar
Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh - 176215
Telephone No: 01892 - 222647
Tariff: Rs. 300

Maurya Hotel
Near Post Office
Dharamshala, Kangra
Himachal Pradesh - 176056
Telephone No: 01892 - 265875
Tariff: Rs. 300

Glenmoor Cottages
Mall Road
Upper Dharmashala
Himachal Pradesh - 176219
Telephone No: 01892 - 221010
Website: www.glenmoorcottages.com
Tariff: Rs. 2400 - 3600

Chand Hotel
BPO Thanturi
Dharamshala, Dist. Kangra
Himachal Pradesh - 176056
Telephone No: 01892 - 267993
Tariff: Rs. 200

Akriti Hotel
Cantt. Road
Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh
Telephone No: 01892 - 223137
Tariff: Rs. 500

Shikhar Hotel
Naddi, Upper Dharmashala
Mcleodganj, Dharmshala
Kangra Dist.
Himachal Pradesh - 176216
Telephone No: 01892 - 221358
Tariff: Rs. 800 - 1200

Club Mahindra Kangra Valley
Sheela Chowk
Sidhpur
Dharmshala
Himachal Pradesh - 176057
Telephone No: 01892 - 229701
Website: www.clubmahindra.com
Tariff: Rs. 3300 - 6800

Darmashala Sightseeings: Museums, Local tours, Forts, Monuments, Historical places, Temples, Amusement Parks, Beaches. A complete Darmashala sightseeing guide.

Historical

War Memorial

War Memorial is adorning the entrance to the great old holy city of Dharamsala. Memorial is placed in a perfect place of peace, amidst the lush green pine trees to pay tribute to Great War heroes from Himachal Pradesh in the Post Independence Era. The war memorial is beautifully decorated and attractive with greenish lawns and artistic landscaping.

This is a revered location to place the patriotic feelings of the visitor to the memory of the great sacrifices.

Architectural

Tibetan Library

Tibetan Library, located at Gangchen Kyishong in Dharamsala, is in the middle of Mcleodganj and Kotwali Bazar. It is the archive store of Tibetan works, cultures and arts. The library encloses original Tibetan manuscripts and serves as an excellent depository of rich heritage of Tibetan literature.

It has excellent collections of books dealing with Himalayan regions and many valuable photographs of the region. This is a very good reference library for scholars and students. Many people from India and abroad visit this library as part of their literary studies and research. The Tibetan library is a valuable treasure supplied by the Tibet to the world of knowledge.

Beaches, Lakes & Falls

Dal Lake

Dal Lake, most attracted tourist spot in Dharamsala, is renowned for its scenic beauty and the cool ambience. The Dal Lake is surrounded by deep green Deodar forests. It is a best base camp for trekkers in Dharamsala and Mcleod Ganj.

The annual fair held every year in September on the banks of the Lake is a great attraction to the tourists. Taking a holy dip in this lake is considered to remove all miseries. It is a common belief that the dip in this holy lake will bring blesses of Lord Shiva. Even though the lake is small, the surroundings make it charming and dynamic.

Art & Museum

Kangra Art Museum

Kangra Art Museum is a unique museum in India displaying the artifacts of Tibetan and Buddhist cultures. This is a treasure of Kangra valley’s cultural past, crafts, arts and other ancient artifacts. Some of the displayed items in the museum are dating back to 5th century.

Kangra Museum encloses a gallery consisting of miniature paintings of Kangra’s rich past, pottery, rare coin memorabilia, sculptures and anthropological materials. It has a varied collection of jewelry of tribes, embroider costumes and wood carvings. A section dedicated to contemporary artworks adds the attraction to the museum.

Tibet Museum

Tibet museum has the credit of being the first modern Museum in Dharamsala. The Museum is settled in a huge plinth area with separate places for meeting, exhibitions and displays. The Museum is a real example of original Tibetan architectural style blended with modern style of constructions.

The museum encloses valued collections of historical documents, manuscripts, Thangka images, pottery and many handicraft items. The visitors in the museum are amazed with the cultural and artistic excellence of Tibetan people.

The Museum is enclosed by green beautiful lawns. There are area for undergoing physical exercises and also places for Kids to enjoy. The Museums consists of shops selling out paintings, artifacts and handicrafts.

Religious

Church of St John

St John’s Church, an emotional memorial of British colonial rule, is placed in the forests area of Dharamsala. The mortal remains of Lord Elgin, the British Viceroy, who died in 1863 in Dharamsala is enclosed in this Church. This is a masterpiece of architecture made out of stones of variety of colors.

The church itself is placed in a scenic location covered by Deodar trees. Stained glass windows and memorial plaques are some of the attractions of the church. Many tourists visit this church to have the feeling of British cultural ambience.

Tsuglagkhang Complex

The Tsuglagkhang Complex in Dharamsala is a sacred building complex enclosing the residence of Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Government in exile. 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.

Tsuglagkhang Complex encloses a monastery, a Tibetan museum, a cafeteria, a book shop and library, prayer wheels and Buddhist shrines, apart from the royal but simple residence of the spiritual saint. Visitors are allowed to move anywhere in the complex without any obstacles and difficulties.

Miscellaneous

Kunal Pathri

Kumar Pathri is a small town near Dharamsala. The major attraction here is the temple of Mata Kunal Pathri, dedicated to local Goddesses. This place is surrounded by dense tea gardens and is a perfect place to have a natural walk. The temple premises offer a good view of Dhauladhar Range and low lying lawns.

Kunal Pathri rock temples are located in Dharamsala near Kotwali Bazaar. The temples are. These are ancient temples in the Kangra region developed for offering prayers by tribes. Kunal Pathri is an ideal location to have a secluded stay amidst scenic beauty.

Darmashala Travel Guidebooks: Find advice, information and inspiration to travel nook and corner of Darmashala.

The Road To Dharamsala
By Maureen Fallon

As seen on the ABC TV’s Australian Story program, Maureen Fallon’s life has been an amazing one.

Maureen once had a number of government executives working for her but she became increasingly disenchanted with the career she was moving through. So she gave away her big pay packet and top ranking position to organise and manage one of the biggest “tours” this country has ever seen!

Every year for the past ten years, a group of exiled Tibetan monksfrom the Gyuto monastery in remote India, travel thousands of kilometres around Australia in an old mini bus. Famous for their chanting, the monks are brought here by the former corporate high flyer.

This personal journey intimately looks at Maureen’s life, her recent search for fulfillment and the fanfare she has created in managing the much-loved Gyuto monks. The Road to Dharamshala is her amazing story.

Echoes from Dharamsala
Music in the Life of a Tibetan Refugee Community

“Keila Diehl, in Echoes from Dharamsala helps dispel [the] notion [for the]… decry the dearth of the Modern in Tibetan culture in exile. She discovers a world of innovation lurking beneath the surface in this exile capital of His Holiness the Dalai Lama….Echoes is refreshing, needed, and representative of the dynamic world of Tibet in exile.”—Tibet Journal

“Beautifully written, highly engaged….exceptional… caught between tradition and modernity.”—American Ethnography

Dharmasala: A guid eto little Lhasa in India.

Publisher: Department of Information and International Relations, Central Tibetan Administration

Place Published: Dharamsala

Date Published: 1992

Dharamsala: Tibetan Refuge
Author: Dalai Lama

Synopsis:

With dramatic full color photographs and detailed text, this book provides a concise history of this fascinating region of India, from first century Buddhist monasteries to the Tibetan refuge it has become today.

Darmashala Shopping Malls: Shop around, get deals, discounts or buy products at a bargain prices.

Shopping in Darmashala

Who wants to return from a tour without buying souvenirs or gifts for friends and relatives? If you are a discerning shopper, you can look forward to a great shopping in Dharamsala.

The popular items for shopping in Dharamsala are: wooden carvings, silk and woven woolen scarves and Tibetan handicrafts.

Like all Himalayan regions, Dharamsala also has dense forests abundant in wood. Exquisite handicrafts fashioned out of wood, bamboo and cane would definitely arrest your attention. Check out the diverse artifacts and utilities while shopping inn Dharamsala.

Woven woolen garments available here are warm and comfortable. Sweaters, cardigans available in trendy designs and reasonable prices, should feature in your shopping list in Dharamsala.

The Tibetan community has a tradition of handicrafts, which are available in profusion. Look for the trinkets and knick-knacks, which serve well for personal use, gifts and interior decoration.

Jogibara Road is the main place for shopping in Dharamsala. You may also hang out at the street side stalls erected by the locals.

Darmashala Entertainment Centers: Explore and enjoy the traditional Music, theatres, cinema halls, dance, cultural programs and more.

Entertainment in Darmashala

There are several Tibetan institutions and private centres that conduct courses in meditation and yoga. Some of these include staying in retreats for about 3 days where sessions in yoga, naturopathy and meditation are interspersed with discussions. The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts also stages music and dance performances from time to time at McLeodganj. There are two halls that screen western films on video as well as documentaries on Tibet. Dharamshala is also the base for trekking in the forested Dhauladhar range, for which equipment can be hired here. The best season for treks is from April till June and again between September and October.

Darmashala Tour Operators: Like to take a journey around Darmashala, find local tour operators in Darmashala.

Darmashala Travel and Tourism Offices: Contact tourist information centers in and around Darmashala.

Tourism Info

H.P. Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
Ritz Annexe, Shimla
Himachal Pradesh - 171 001
Tel: 0177- 2652704