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Dharamsala, the Winter Capital of Himachal Pradesh can be your honeymoon destination. It is a home to the State’s Cricket team and Kings XI Punjab to some extent during IPL. The beautiful Cricket ground here is one of the best looking stadiums in the country and is a great tourist attraction. MC Leod Ganj which is also part of Dharamsala is known world wide as the home of Dalai Lama, the Tibetan government in exile. Dharamsala is a beautiful hill station with many tourist attractions. Like most picturesque towns, tourism is one of the chief economic life lines.
The word Dharamsala can be literally translated from Hindi as ‘spiritual dwelling’ or simply ‘rest house for spiritual pilgrims’. It is not strange that the place is home to many Hindu and Buddhist temples. Dharamsala is located in the Kangra valley at an altitude of 1457 metres. A spiraling roads up the steep forest of Himalayan Oak and rhododendron leads to MC Leod Ganj. Other remarkable places in Dharamsala include Bhagsu Nath, Forsyth Ganj, Naddi and Kotwali Bazaar.
Before Dharamsala was annexed by the British in 1848, it was ruled by the Katoch Dynasty, said to be the oldest living dynasty in the world. The Royal family still owns a home in Dharamsala known as the Clouds End Villa. After British annexation, Gurkha Light Infantry moved in and settled there. They were one of the first inhabitants other than the semi-nomadic people Known as Gaddis. It is note worthy to know that Dharamsala was the first choice for the summer capital but it was moved to Shimla after a disastrous landslide in 1905.
The Tibetan settlement came in 1959, when the Dalai Lama in exile was given amnesty by the Prime Minister of India. Today MC Leod Ganj is a colorful place where Tibetan way of life flourished to the full. It has become a major tourist attraction.
Tourist Attractions in Dharamsala
- Dharamsala Cricket Stadium is one of the most beautiful stadiums in India. Home to the State Ranji team and Kings XI Punjab during IPL, this cricket stadium is built in a lush valley surrounded by deodar forest and snow capped mountains.
- Bhagsu Waterfall is just 2km from MC Leod Ganj. A Bhagsunag temple also stands near the site and is a great tourist attraction.
- Triund is 17 Km from Dharamsala and it is a good trekking distance from MC Leod Ganj. An excitement filled journey awaits enthusiastic trekkers. The view from here is also quite rewarding.
- MC Leod Ganj is a colorful village inhabited by the Tibetans in exile. Different arrays of their culture and way of life still remain intact here.
How to Reach Dharamsala
- By Air: The Nearest Airport is Gaggal Airport, which is an hour drive from dharamsala.
- By Rail: The nearest railway station is Chakki Bank at Pathankot, three hours from Dharamshala and well connected to the rest of Northern India.
- By Bus: Buses ply daily from Majnu Ka Tila, a Tibetan settlement in Delhi to MC Leod Ganj.
Where to Stay:
- Asian Health Resorts
- Hotel Chonor House
- Hotel Grace Cottage
- Hotel Palace Heights
- Anand Palace Hotel
- Dev Cottages
- Royal Palace Resort
- Hotel Chinar Lodge
- Glenmoor Cottages
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