Kangra city, in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, is 18 kilometers from Dharamshala, or Dharamsala city. The state’s winter capital, Dharamshala, is separated into higher and lower sections with differing altitudes. Dharamsala town is in the lower division, and Mcleodganj, which is 3 kilometers away, is in the upper-division. Dharamsala attracts a huge number of visitors due to its bustling market and convenient bus connections.
Dharamsala is home to the Dalai Lama, the Buddhist leader who runs his government from exile in Dharamsala. This little village set in the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges is the perfect place to learn about Tibetan culture.
When the Dalai Lama and his followers arrived in India in 1959, they immediately set about beautifying Dharamsala and turning it into a miniature Lhasa. Dharamsala has been a centre of meditation and quiet for many years.
Dharamshala Places To Visit
Dharamshala Cricket Stadium
The beautiful Dharamshala Cricket Stadium, also known as the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium, is ensconced in the Himalayan mountain range. It is one of the world’s highest athletic venues, at 1,457 metres above sea level in Kangra valley, in the Dhauladhar mountain range. The Indian Cricket Team, the Himachal Pradesh state cricket franchise, and the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kings XI Punjab all practise at the Cricket Stadium, which is administered by the HPCA.
Even when no events are scheduled, the stadium is open to visitors, with a vista comparable to the Adelaide Oval or Newlands. The main stand is built in the Tibetan architectural style.
Timings to visit the site- 09:00am to 06:00pm
Time required to visit the site- Less than one hour
Entry fees- No entry fees (Depends on the matches in the stadium)
Namgyal Monastery
Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is supposed to stay in Mcleodganj’s Namgyal Monastery, the world’s largest Tibetan shrine outside Tibet. The serenity and atmosphere that this site creates in the minds of its visitors will entice even those who are not religious. The Namgyal Monastery is known as “Dalai Lama’s Temple” since it is the 14th Dalai Lama’s personal monastery.
The monks who live here participate in activities that benefit Tibet’s well-being and serve as a center for Buddhist philosophical explanation learning and meditation.
Timings to visit the site- 05:00 am to 08:30 pm
Time required to visit the site- 1-2 hours
Entry fees- Absolutely Free
St. John in the Wilderness Church
St. John in the Wilderness, built-in 1852, is one of Himachal Pradesh’s most notable churches. On the route to Mcleodganj, this neo-gothic church dedicated to John the Baptist is located near Dharamshala. This serene structure is surrounded by thick deodar trees and is known for its Belgian stained-glass windows.
Because it was built in impassable woodlands, the remarkable church is known as ‘St John in the Wilderness.’ Lord Ergin, one of the British Raj’s governors-general and viceroy of India, is buried here, making it one of Dharamshala’s oldest constructions.
Timings to visit the site- Monday to Saturday 07:00am to 06:30pm, Sunday- 09:00am to 06:30pm
Entry fees- Absolutely free
The War Memorial
The War Memorial in the forests of Dharamshala was created to commemorate those who gave their lives to save our motherland. During the Indo-China Wars of 1947-48, 1962, 1965, and 1971, as well as UN Peace Operations, many brave Kangra troops died as combat heroes. Three gigantic black stone panels, each 24 feet tall, have been set in stone to preserve their memory.
The War Memorial is surrounded by the lyrical pine trees of Dharamshala, with a magnificent promenade leading to lush gardens. Look for the names of the martyred soldiers on the stone panels. You can have some refreshments at a nearby cafe that provides snacks, or you can pay a visit to the nearby GPC college.
Timings to visit the site- 08:00am to 08:00pm
Time required to visit the site- Less than one hour
Entry fees- Rs10 per person
The Gyuto Monastery
The Gyuto Monastery, one of Dharamshala’s most beautiful and well-known monasteries, is known for its Tantric Meditation and Philosophy studies. It was created in India in 1959 with the objective of preserving and transmitting Ksongkhapa’s tradition of Tantric Teachings, commonly known as Black Magic. The majestic monastery has contributed to the depiction of how black magic can be used for the good of the people, contrary to popular belief.
The Gyuto Monastery is beautifully constructed on a mountaintop with a breath-taking view of the Dhauladhar Ranges and Beas River. A magnificent gold-plated statue of Lord Buddha gleams when the sun’s rays fall on it early in the morning on the temple grounds. The majestic Gyuto Monastery, one of Dharamshala’s features, attracts a huge number of tourists and Buddhists who come to witness the quiet and serene monastery.
Timings to visit the site- 07:00am to 07:00pm
Entry fees- Absolutely Free
Best time to visit the site- Buddha Purnima
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Best Hotels at Dharamshala
- TriundView Campus and Homestay
- Villa Paradiso
- Hotel Backpackers Inn
- Triund Campus River Side Resort
- Fortune Park Moksha Hotel
Have a great journey at Dharamshala!!!!!
Image Source: Google