Dharamshala is located in the upper reaches of the Kangra
valley in Himachal Pradesh and is placed at an average altitude of 1,475 meters
above sea level. The city is surrounded a thick cover of deodar cedar trees and
is one of the major strong holds for the Tibetan refugees and the seat of the
14th dalai lama of the Tibetan sect of Buddhism. The town due to its
picturesque surroundings and the presence of the Dalai Lama has made the town a
popular tourist destination, both for the Indians and the foreign tourists.
Here’s the list of the best places you must visit in Dharamshala.
1. McLeod Ganj:
With an average elevation of 2,082 meters above sea
level, McLeod Ganj is named after Sir Donald Friell McLeod who was the
Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab under whom the area was developed. The place is
known for its various attractions including the residence of the 14th Dalai
Lama. The place is one of the most frequented spots in Dharamshala and is
famous for its Tibetan culture, handicrafts and temples. The Hanuman Tibba is
the highest peak at the height of 5,639 meters above sea level and can be
viewed from McLeod Ganj.
2. Masrur:
Masrur is famous for its various rock-cut temples that
date back to the 8th century AD. The carvings in the temples are finely
detailed and are similar to that of the Ellora caves in Maharashtra and contain
various images of the Hindu deities like Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshamana from the
oldest Hindu epic, Ramayana.
3. Kangra Museum:
Kangra Museum houses various articles and artifacts that
are significant to the Tibetan Buddhists and the Kangra Valley culture. The
various manuscripts, handicrafts, pottery place here date back to the 5th
century and the facility also contains a library.
4. Kangra Fort:
Kangra Fort was the seat and residence of the one of the
oldest existing dynasties in the World. The Katoch rulers of Kangra belong to
the lineage of the rulers of Trigata mentioned in the Hindu Epics Ramayana and
Mahabharatha and also in Alexander the Great’s war records. The fort complex
contains several well detailed halls and watchtowers along with a couple of
temples that date back to the 9th century AD.
5. Dal Lake (of Dharamshala):
The Dal Lake in Dharamshala is named after its eponymous
counterpart in Jammu and Kashmir. The lake is spread across 1 square kilometer
and resembles the lake at Kashmir. It is one of the popular picnic spot and is
surrounded by the thick deodar and juniper forests. The Kali temple located
near the banks is home to a marvelous annual fair.
6. Namgyal Monastery:
Namgyal Monastery was established by the 3rd Dalai Lama
in 1575 and was relocated to Dharamshala following the 1959 Tibetan uprising.
The monastery is one of the major learning and cultural centers of the Tibetan
populated in Dharamsala. The monastery currently houses around 200 Tibetan
monks and is one of the most frequented places in Dharamshala.
Being renowned in the world for its distinctive blend of
the Kangra and Tibetan culture, Dharamshala is one of the most frequented
tourist places in India. The place is also famous for its amazing views it is
also nicknamed as ‘Little Lhasa’ due to the huge number of Tibetan settlements
located here. The above-mentioned places are few of the most popular tourist
places in Dharamshala and are a must visit.
Source :http://www.transindiatravels.com
