Dharamshala : Himachal Pradesh

Dharamshala is a hill station located about 17 km north-east of Kangra town in Himachal Pradesh. Dharamshala, the gateway to the Kangra valley, is also the headquarters of the Kangra district. Dharamshala is located at a distance of 239 km from Chandigarh, 252 km from Manali, 322 km from Shimla and 514 km from New Delhi.

Located in the backdrop of the snow clad Dhauladhar ranges of the Himalayas, Dharamshala is the principal township of Kangra District. The city succumbed to a massive earthquake in the year 1905 and was reconstructed to become a health resort and a popular tourist destination.

History of Dharamshala :

In 635 AD the Huien Tsang, the Chinese monk recorded fifty monasteries with around 2,000 monks in the Kangra valley. The Kangra Valley is rich in unexplored archaeological sites of Indian Buddhism. A century later, Buddhism and all its sites were eliminated from the valley during an upsurge of Brahminical revivalism. The original tribes in the Kangra valley were the Dasas, a warrior people, later assimilated by Aryans. In 1849 the British posted a regiment in Dharamshala, but the place doesn't remained as a military cantonment. By 1855 it becomes as a small but flourishing hill station and the administrative headquarters of Kangra district, which had been annexed by the British in 1848.

Things to do in Dharamshala :

Dharamshala has a lot to offer ranging from ancient temples, churches and monasteries to museums and ancient towns. The ancient temples of Jawalamukhi, Brijeshwari and Chamunda, the Church of St. John in the Wilderness, War Memorial, Kangra Art Museum and the shopping centre of Kotwali Bazar are some of the prime tourist attractions. A trek through the landscaped township of Dharamshala with views of snowy peaks, deodar and pine forests, tea gardens and beautiful hills has become a popular activity.

The best time to visit Dharamshala is from September to October and again from March to June. The summer months are best suited for activities like sightseeing and trekking. Those who love snow can visit the region in December/January when there is heavy snowfall and the Himalayas are covered in snow. However, temperatures go well below 0⁰ Celsius, so adequate protection should be taken. Another good time to visit is during the festival of Drukpa Teshi, which is held in August/September.