Trekking in Dharamshala, Himachal pradesh

Trekking, tours,sightseeing in Himachal pradesh, Kashmir valley, Leh ladakh,




Dharamshala is a city in the upper reaches of the [[Kangra Valley]] and is surrounded by dense coniferous forest consisting mainly of stately [[Deodar]]s. The suburbs of the town includes -- [[McLeod Ganj]], Bhagsu Nath, Forsyth Ganj, Naddi, Kotwali Bazaar (the main market of the town), Kaccheri Adda (government offices such as the court, police, post etc.), Dari, Ramnagar, Sidhpur and Sidhbari (where the [[Karmapa Lama]] is based)

The village of McLeod Ganj lying in the upper reaches is known worldwide for the presence of the [[Dalai Lama|Tenzin Gyatso]]. On 29 April 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama established the Tibetan exile administration in the north Indian hill station of [[Mussoorie]]. In May 1960, the [[Central Tibetan Administration]] (CTA) was moved to Dharamshala.

Dharamshala is the centre of the Tibetan exile world in India. Following the [[1959 Tibetan uprising]] there was an influx of Tibetan refugees who followed the 14th Dalai Lama. His presence and the Tibetan population has made Dharamshala a popular destination for Indian and foreign tourists, including students studying Tibet.



Dharamshala had a population of 19,124. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Dharamshala has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80% and, female literacy is 73%. In Dharamshala, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

==Geography==
[[Image:Dharamsala-valley.jpg|thumb|right|350px|View of Dharamshala valley from McLeod Ganj]]
Dharamshala has an average elevation of 1457 metres (4780 feet), covering an area of almost 29 km².

Dharamshala is located in the [[Kangra Valley]], in the shadow of the [[Dhauladhar]] mountains.

The city is divided into two distinct sections. Kotwali Bazaar and the surrounding markets are referred to as "Lower Dharamshala" or just "Dharamshala." Further up the mountain is [[McLeod Ganj]] separated in between by the village of Ganchen Kyishong, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. A steep, narrow road connects Mcleod Ganj from Dharamshala and is only accessible to taxis and small cars, while a longer road winds around the valley for use by buses and trucks.

McLeod Ganj is surrounded by pine, [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] oak, and [[rhododendron]]. The main crops grown in the valleys below are rice, wheat and tea.

==Connections==
*The nearest airport is [[Gaggal Airport]], an hour's drive from Dharamshala and is serviced by [[Jagson Airlines]] and [[Kingfisher Airlines]].
*Many buses of all classes (deluxe, air-conditioned, and regular) drive daily between Dharamsala and major cities such as [[Chandigarh]], [[Delhi]], and [[Shimla]]. Several buses each night connect McLeod Ganj with Majnu Ka Tila, the Tibetan settlement in Delhi.
*The nearest broad gauge railway station is Chakki Bank at [[Pathankot]], three hours from Dharamshala and well connected to the rest of [[Northern India]]. There is another railway line from Pathankot to Jogindernagar, a part of the Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh, which is a narrow-gauge line, the nearest station to Dharamshala on this line is Chamunda Marg, half an hour away, where a [[Shakti Peethas|Shaktipitha]] is located; the town is also well connected by road to other parts of the country.

==Climate==
{{
Weather box
|location = Dharamsala
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan high C = 13.5
|Feb high C = 17.8
|Mar high C = 21.6
|Apr high C = 26.9
|May high C = 29.1
|Jun high C = 30.5
|Jul high C = 27.2
|Aug high C = 26.1
|Sep high C = 24.6
|Oct high C = 23.7
|Nov high C = 19.8
|Dec high C = 16.4
|year high C = 23.1
|Jan low C = 5.1
|Feb low C = 10.3
|Mar low C = 14.7
|Apr low C = 16.3
|May low C = 20.1
|Jun low C = 22.9
|Jul low C = 21.4
|Aug low C = 20.2
|Sep low C = 17.5
|Oct low C = 14.8
|Nov low C = 10.7
|Dec low C = 7.4
|year low C = 15.1
|Jan precipitation mm = 114.5
|Feb precipitation mm = 100.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 98.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 48.6
|May precipitation mm = 59.1
|Jun precipitation mm = 202.7
|Jul precipitation mm = 959.7
|Aug precipitation mm = 909.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 404.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 66.3
|Nov precipitation mm = 16.7
|Dec precipitation mm = 54.0
|year precipitation mm = 3054.4


Dharamshala has a monsoon-influenced [[humid subtropical climate]]. Summer starts in early April and peaks in early June, when temperatures can reach 36 o C. Summers last till mid of June. From July to mid September, is the [[monsoon]] season, when up to 3000 mm (120 inches) of rain can fall, making Dharamshala one of the wettest places in the state. Autumn is mild and lasts from October to end of November.

Autumn temperatures average around 16-17^oC. Winter starts in December and goes on till late February. Snow and sleet is common during the winter in upper Dharamshala, i.e., McLeodganj, Bhagsu Nag, Naddi,etc. Lower Dharamshala hardly receives any solid precipitation except hail. Winter is followed by a short, pleasant spring till April. Historically, the Dhauladhar mountains used to remain snow-covered all year long but for the past five years, they have been losing their snow blanket during dry spells.

The best time to visit are the autumn and spring months.

==History==
===Before the Raj===

From the earliest times until the British Raj, Dharamshala and its surrounding area was ruled by the [[Katoch]] Dynasty of [[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]]. The Katoch Dynasty is said to be the oldest serving Royal Family in the world.{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}} The Royal Family still keeps a residence in Dharamshala, known as 'Clouds End Villa'.

The indigenous people of the Dharamshala area (and the surrounding region) are the [[Gaddis]], a predominantly [[Hindu]] group who traditionally lived a nomadic or semi-nomadic ([[transhumance|transhumant]]) lifestyle. Due to the lack of permanent settlements in the area, some Gaddis lost their seasonal pastures and farmland when the British and the Gurkhas arrived to settle.

===Settlement by the British and the Gurkhas===
In 1848, the area now known as Dharamshala was annexed by the British.

:"Dharamsāla lies on a spur of the Dhaola Dhār, 16 miles north-east of Kāngra, in the midst of wild and picturesque scenery. It originally formed a subsidiary cantonment for the troops stationed at Kāngra, and was first occupied as a station in 1849, when a site was required for a cantonment to accommodate a Native regiment which was being raised in the District. A site was found upon the slopes of the Dhaola Dhār, in a plot of waste land, upon which stood an old Hindu resthouse, or ''dharmsāla'', whence the name adopted for the new cantonment. The civil authorities, following the example of the regimental officers, and attracted by the advantages of climate and scenery, built themselves houses in the neighbourhood of the cantonment; and in 1855 the new station was formally recognised as the head-quarters of the [Kāngra] District.

In 1860, the 66th [[Gurkha]] [[Light Infantry]] was moved from Kangra to Dharamshala, which was at first made a subsidiary [[cantonment]]. An ideal position for the new base was found on the slopes of the [[Dhauladhar|Dhauladhar Hills]], near the site of a Hindu sanctuary, or ''Dharamshala'', hence the name of the town. Travel and Community website of Dharamsala, Mcleodganj and Kangra Valley]The Battalion was later renamed the historic [[1 Gorkha Rifles|1st Gurkha Rifles]], this was the beginning of the legend of the Gurkhas, the so-called 'Bravest of the Brave'. Consequently, fourteen Gurkha platoon villages grew from this settlement, and exist to this day, namely Dari, Ramnagar, Shyamnagar, Dal, Totarani, Khanyara, Sadher, Chaandmaari, Sallagarhi, [[Sidhbari]], [[Yol, India|Yol]], and so on. The Gurkhas worshipped at the ancient [[Shiva]] temple of [[Bhagsunag]]. The Gurkhas referred to Dharamshala as 'Bhagsu' and referred to themselves as Bhagsuwalas.

The 21st Gurkha Regiment from Dharamshala performed heroic feats during World War I and the North West Frontier Province campaigns. The Gurkha cantonment then reached its zenith during World War II, when battalions from Dharamshala made history. Many place names in the town still retain their former cantonment terminologies: Depot Bazaar, Pensioners' Lines, Tirah Lines (named after the 19th century [[Tirah Campaign]]), Bharatpore Lines (named after the 1826 Battle of [[Bharatpur, India|Bharatpore]]).

The second [[Lord Elgin]], [[Viceroy]] of India died here (at the 1st Gurkha Rifles Officers' Mess) in 1863 and is buried in the cemetery of [[St. John in the Wilderness]], a small [[Anglican]] church distinguished by its [[stained-glass]] windows. Dharamshala became a popular [[hill station]] for the British working in or near [[Delhi]], offering a cool respite during the hot summer months.

:"Before the earthquake of 1905, the upper part of the station, which rises to a height of 7,112 feet [2,168 metres], contained the European houses, the station church, and the officers' mess and lines of the 1st Gurkhas, together with the public gardens, post office, and two bazars, the Forsythganj and McLeodganj. The public offices, a bazar, and a few European houses made up the lower station, as low as 4,500 feet [1,372 metres]. The 1st battalion of the 1st Gurkhas used to be stationed here, but was moved to the upper station in 1894-5.... The public gardens, which were, before the earthquake, laid out with much taste in lawns and terraces, contained a valuable collection of indigenous and imported trees and shrubs, and were overlooked by the Assembly Rooms, a handsome building comprising a public hall, a library and reading-room and a billiard-room. The church was beautifully situated in a recess of the mountain.

In 1905, the Kangra valley suffered a major earthquake. On April 4 of that year, the earth shook, demolishing much of the cantonment and the neighbouring city of Kangra as well as the Bhagsunag temple. Altogether, the [[1905 Kangra earthquake]] killed 20,000 people. "1,625 persons perished at Dharamsāla alone, including 15 Europeans and 112 of the Gurkha garrison.

The Gurkhas rebuilt the town along with the temple, which today is acknowledged as the 1st Gurkha Rifles' heritage. The British had planned to make Dharamshala the summer capital of India, but moved to [[Shimla]] after the disaster.

Not only did the Gurkhas of Dharmshala make a major contribution to India's defence but also many were freedom fighters for the [[Indian National Army]], which had been founded by [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose]]. The Indian National Army Captain [[Ram Singh Thakur]], a Gurkha from the village of Khanyara, composed some of India's most popular and stirring patriotic songs, including "[[Kadam Kadam Badaye Ja]]". He is acknowledged so by the Netaji Research Bureau, Kolkata. The important contribution of the noted Gurkha social commentator, the late Master Mitrasen Thapa, from the village of Totarani, has also been acknowledged by the Himachal Pradesh government. Recently, a park dedicated to the memory of the late Brigadier Sher Jung Thapa, MVC, the 'Hero of Skardu', has been opened alongside the road between Lower and Upper Dharamshala.

===Establishment of Tibetan exile community===
The main street in McLeod Ganj

The Tibetan settlement of Dharamshala began in 1959, when His Holiness the Dalai Lama had to flee Tibet and the [[Indian Prime Minister|Prime Minister of India]] allowed him and his followers to settle in McLeodGanj (in Upper Dharmshala), a former colonial British summer picnic spot. There they established the "[[Government of Tibet in exile|government-in-exile]]" in 1960. Dharamshala had been connected with [[Hinduism]] and [[Buddhism]] for a long time, many [[monastery|monasteries]] having been established there in the past, by Tibetan immigrants in the 19th century.

Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
In 1970, The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, opened the [[Library of Tibetan Works and Archives]] which houses over 80,000 [[manuscripts]] and other important resources related to Tibetan history, politics and culture. It is considered one of the most important institutions for [[Tibetology]] in the world,[www.ltwa.net]; the new director is Geshe Lahkdor, the old translator of H.H. the Dalai Lama.

===Dharamshala Today===
Several thousand Tibetan exiles have now settled in the area, and most live in and around [[McLeod Ganj]] in Upper Dharamshala, where they have built monasteries, temples and schools. McLeodGanj is sometimes known as 'Little [[Lhasa]]", after the Tibetan capital city, or 'Dhasa' (a compound of 'Dharamshala' and 'Lhasa'). It has become an important tourist destination with many hotels and restaurants, leading to growth in tourism and commerce.

Dharamshala is also the winter capital of Himachal Pradesh. The Secretariat is at [[Sidhbari]], near the [[Chinmaya Tapovan Ashram]], and the winter sessions of the Government are held there.

==Notable residents==
*[[Tenzin Gyatso]], 14th and current Dalai Lama
*[[H.H The Maharaja of Kangra]], 488th Raja of [[Trigarta]]. Maharaja Aditya Katoch and his wife Maharani Chandresh Kumari {Member of Parliament} princess of [[Jodhpur]]
*[[Namrata Singh Gujral]], Hollywood Actress
*[[Palden Gyatso]], monk, international speaker, author of ''Fire Under the Snow'' and subject of the film of the same name (2008)
*[[Passang Lhamo]], nun and activist, and former inmate of [[Drapchi Prison]]
*[[James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin]], died here.
*Tenzin Dolma, [[Miss Tibet#Miss Tibet 2007|Miss Tibet 2007]]
*[[Alfred W. Hallett]]. Artist who exhibited twice in [[Royal Academy of Arts]] London and lived 41 years at Dharamkot in upper Dharamshala died here in 1986.

==Trekking==
Dharamshala is a starting point to a number of trekking trails that especially lead trekkers across Dhauladhar into the upper Ravi Valley and [[Chamba district|Chamba]] district. En route, you cross through forests of [[deodar]], pine, oak and rhododendron, and pass streams and rivers and wind along vertiginous cliff tracks, and also the occasional lake waterfall and glacier.

A 2-km amble takes one to Bhagsu, and then a further 3-km walk will lead the trekkers to Dharamkot. If one wishes to go on a longer walk then he/she can trek 8-km to Triund. The snow line of Ilaqa Got is just a 5-km walk.

Other trekking trails that lead you to Chamba from Dharamshala are:

• Toral Pass (4575m) which begins from Tang Narwana (1150m) that is located nearly 10 km from Dharamshala

• Across Bhimghasutri Pass (4580m) via near-vertical rocky ascents, steep cliffs and dangerous gorges. This is a highly difficult level trek and takes around six days to complete.

• Dharamshala—Bleni Pass (3710m) – Dunali. Compared to other trekking trails, this one is much easier and takes around four or five-days to complete. The trek leads you through alpine pastures, woods, and streams, before ending at Dunali, on the Chamba road.

Also, Dharamshala is an ideal destination for [[rock climbing]] enthusiasts. One can go rock climbing over the ridges of the Dhauladhar range.

==Dharamshala Cricket Stadium==
{{Main|Dharamshala Cricket Stadium}}
[[Dharamshala Cricket Stadium]] (DCS) is a cricket stadium of international reputation, which serves as the home ground to the Himachal Pradesh state cricket team and also for the [[Indian Premier League|IPL]] team [[Kings XI Punjab]] to a limited extent. By virtue of its natural backdrop, it is one of the most attractive cricket stadiums in India. In addition to Ranji matches, some international matches are also planned to be held here. Recently a match between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Superkings held here in which His Holiness the Dalai Lama graced the match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Stadium in Dharamshala.
The snow capped mountains can be easily viewed throughout the year. An additional feature is the Dharamsala College nearby which is surrounded by pine trees on one side.


'''Masrur''' (or '''Masroor'''): The major attraction of this place is the fifteen exquisitely carved monolithic rock temples dating back to 8th century. The carvings of these temples are similar to Kailash temple at Ellora. In the sanctum of the main temple, one can find images of Lord Ram, and the Goddesses [[Sita]] and [[Lakshmi]]. Masrur is located 15 km south of Kangra at

'''Bhagsu Waterfall''': This waterfall is situated at Bhagsu, 2 km from McLeodganj. It lies behind the Bhagsunag Temple. During Monsoon, the fall turns into a 30 feet cascade.

'''Bhagsunag Temple''': Temple of god Shiva situated around 2 km from McLeodganj Bazaar. Constructed by 1 GR by around 1800 century and then worshipped majorly by 14 Gukha platoon villages in Dharamshala. Very next to Bhagsunag temple is a water fall, one of the major tourist attraction spot in Dharamshala.

'''Kunal Parthi Temple''': This temple is dedicated to Goddess Kalpeshwari, and is located 3 km from the Kotwali Bazaar. It's a believed that a part of Goddess Sati, skull, fell here when Lord Shiva was carrying the charred body of the Goddess, and hence the name of the temple.

'''Chamunda Temple''': This temple is located around 15 km from Dharamshala on the right bank of river Baner on the Mandi-Pathankot highway. According to mythology, Goddess Kali killed the demons Chand and Mund at this place.

'''Dal Lake''': The Lake is spread in an area of 1 km and is bounded by rhododendrons, deodars, and junipers forest. Annually, a fair is held at the Kali Temple near the Lake. There is another temple close to the lake that is dedicated to sage Durvasa. Dal Lake is 2 km walk westwards from McLeod Ganj bazaar.

'''Triund''': Triund is nestled in the foothills of Dhauladhar and is around 17 km from Dharamshala. It's a trekking destination from McLeod Ganj, and offers magnificent vistas of the mountains and valleys. The nightstays are in the hoods, small time caves, that local gaddis with their goat herds use as shelters from rains during the daytime.

'''Naddi''': This scenic picnic spot is located 5 km northwest of McLeod Ganj. Naddi offers a spectacular view of the Kangra valley. You can trek to Kareri Lake, Triund, and Guna Devi from here. It's also becoming a popular destination for nature lovers.

==Places of attraction==
*Adi Shakti Temple, Naddi
*Aghanjar Mahadev
*Bhagsu waterfall
*Bhagsunath
*Bir paragliding spot
*Brajeshwari Temple
*Chamunda Mandir
*Chinmaya Tapovan
*[[Dal Lake (Himachal Pradesh)|Dal Lake]]
*Dari
*Dehra Gopipur
*Dharamkot (2100 m)
*Guna Devi Mandir amidst dense forest
*Historical fort of Kangra in Purana Kangra. Adjoining the Fort is the Maharaja Sansar Chandra Museum, run by the Royal Family of Kangra. The Museum provides audio guides for the fort and the museum.
*Haripur Village (near Guler)
*Pong Dam Lake
*Indru Nag Temple
*[[Kareri and Kumarwah lake|Kareri Lake]]
*Khaniyara
*Kunal Pathri
*Lam Dal Lake
*[[Library of Tibetan Works and Archives]]
*Masrur (rock temple)
*[[Namgyal Monastery]]
*[[Narghota]]
*[[Norbulingka Institute]]
*Nurpur
*[[Sidhbari]]
*Church of [[St. John in the Wilderness]]
*[[Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts]]
*Triund (2975 m), a popular day hike or overnight trek
*Tatwani and Machhrial
*Trilokpur