Dharamshala – In The Lap Of Charming Himalayas

A Slice of Tibet Within India

If any Indians would like to get a feel of Tibet and a Tibetan monastery without going to that place travel to Dharamshala. If anyone would like to see the beauty of mighty Himalayas is subdued at least for a while by a man-made construction in the form of a cricket stadium plan a visit to Dharmasala, if someone would like to see thousands of acres of tea gardens within the city limits experience Dharamsala, if any adventurous geeks wish to float on air for an hour ensure a trip to Dharmashala. Note that these are all in addition to the many temples, Churches, Army memorials, etc the small city offers you which make a visit worth it for all.

Dharamshala is another scenic place in the state of Himachal Pradesh around 500 km from Delhi, which is also known as the queen of Hills or the Scotland of India. The headquarters of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is also here which makes it a destination for many foreign nationals too.

First Glimpse of the Mighty Himalayas

When Spice Jet put a few tickets on sale with a heavy discount the automatic priority was Dharamshala without any second thoughts to visit the monastery of the Dalai Lama, a cricket stadium, and if possible, paragliding.

And even before the flight landed on the runway, a glance through the window was enough to fill the heart with pure happiness, looking at the splendid view of the Himalayas’ magnetizing beauty. A snow-clad mountain with fresh morning yellow light from the sun was what welcomed the city in the early morning. Any stress and tension that carries over from the day-to-day chores of life will evaporate with such a view of the mighty Himalaya Mountains all around.

Honouring the Brave: Dharamshala War Memorial

The day started with a tribute to the bereaved soldiers as the first halt was a war memorial in the heart of Dharamshala city. The memorial is designed with a permanent raised platform with semi-circular walls on the backside facing the visitors. Soldiers’ names were inscribed on it along with artwork with a caption “THIS SYMBOLISES THE EVER-BURNING FLAME OF NATIONAL FREEDOM”.

A map of India is decorated with different coloured stones on the floor of the gardens which is visible even from the entrance. Large pine trees give shade to the whole garden. Looking at the huge area of the memorial with a stage also arranged in another location for performance on special occasions looked special. The patriotic feelings while visiting such places are always so special to the heart.

Endless Green: Tea Gardens of Dharamshala

Within a short distance from there lies another tourist spot, which is a tea garden spread over 1000s of acres of land. The huge lush green tea trees that grew in a uniform height below the normal eye level combined with the silence was a thing to watch for once.

Sitting on a bench and enjoying the special place where only cool green was everywhere in every direction wherever the eyes wandered was special. Some visitors were exploring deep inside the garden, and a few were already proceeding to the factory from where freshly made tea can be purchased. It reminded of a discussion some time back regarding a chapter from a travelogue by MP. Veerendra Kumar’s “Hymvatha Bhoovil” mentioning a visit to a tea factory in which it is written that costly tea at the tune of 3.2 lakhs per kilogram was available in India, of course not to sell here but for export.

A Sacred Pause: Visit to Kunal Pathri Temple

A journey in any Indian state is incomplete without a temple visit and it was not different here either. Within the city limits, around 2 Kms near the tea garden but in a peaceful location, was Kunal Pathri Temple with Goddess Durga as the main idol. According to the locals’ belief, a rock inside the temple is always wet, and the moment it dries up, it starts raining. It is also being informed that this is the place Devi Sati’s skull had fallen while Lord Shiva was carrying her lifeless body as per the myth, and thereby an important one as a Shakti peeth.

A Stadium Beyond Imagination in Dharamshala

The next stop was a familiar place as it is seen many times on TV and through Print media, the Cricket Stadium in Dharamshala. It didn’t seem to be as big as to exclaim as a stadium from the experience of being in a few other stadiums, but it never mattered here, and the relatively small size was compensated with the first look on the stadium as seen from the main entrance gate. Some amazement was expected but the picturesque ambiance and atmosphere with a stunning line of the Himalayas in its background made it look like a perfect portrait, very much beyond any imagination for how such a stadium would like to be.

A green turf in a circular shape, a combination of different colors in neatly arranged chairs so close to the ground, Tibetan architecture featuring in the entrances with a shining background in snow Cladded Mountain on the left side and a red-hot fuming Himalayas on the right due to sunlight and all these covered with silver clouds above was nothing but a surreal feeling for a while. My camera was so inferior to capture this one of the perfect views it offered. Thanks to the people managing the stadium, as they were good enough to allow a few of us inside for a detailed view of the stadium from different locations and enjoy it to the fullest.

Brief Stop at Baijnath Temple

There was another famous temple, known as Baijnath temple quite far away from the city, almost 54 km, which I made a quick visit. It was famous for its Shiva linga, and water from this temple is believed to contain medicinal properties, which can cure diseases of people as it is said to be. Keeping in view of some other activities like Monastery visit, Paragliding etc, time was not handy for an elaborate visit of the temple and its complex and was just a namesake visit.

The next target was a little far away and it was after lunch and a brief rest as we could return only by evening after from there. Expecting another feast for eyes as per the information received, like there is a lake known as Dal Lake sounding like same in Srinagar in Jammu Kashmir, a sunset point and base camp for many trekking people, but finally, it was one thing which made a disappointing feeling amid the scenery of mountains and trees.

Dal Lake: A Rare Disappointment

A lake was there but it seemed to be dirty, a temple was there but it didn’t quite give any refreshing feeling, a tourist spot was there from where visitors can catch the sunset with a little bit of luck of course but with no excitement.

The lake was also surrounded by lush green Deodar forests, which were the only thing that looked good for the eyes. I couldn’t wait to waste precious time in such a place as Dharamshala, where many more things can be explored if there is time as leaving at the earliest was the best option.

Chai, Sunset, and the Road to McLeod Ganj

And it was time to experience some local snacks and Chai before proceeding to the most important place among the visit in Dharamshala which is nationally, internationally, Politically, and diplomatically relevant, Macleod Ganj, the famous Monastery of Dalai Lama among visit in Dharamsala.

Location – Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh

Dharamshala is a beautiful hill station located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, set on the slopes of the Dhauladhar Himalayan range. It includes Lower Dharamshala and Upper Dharamshala (McLeod Ganj), home to Tibetan culture, monasteries, forests, and Himalayan viewpoints.

How to Reach Dharamshala

By Air

• Kangra Airport (DHM), Gaggal – the nearest airport, just 12–15 km from Dharamshala.
• Regular flights from Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, and other major cities.

By Train

• Nearest major railway station: Pathankot Junction (approx. 85–90 km).
• From Pathankot, take a taxi, private cab, or HRTC bus to Dharamshala/McLeod Ganj.

By Road

• Well connected by road with:
  • Delhi – 480 km
  • Chandigarh – 250 km
  • Amritsar – 200 km
• Overnight Volvo and HRTC buses operate daily to Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj.

Travel Tips for Dharamshala

• Best Time to Visit:
  • March to June – pleasant weather
  • September to November – clear sky and best views
  • December to February – winter and occasional snowfall
• Local Transport:
  • Auto-rickshaws, taxis, and shared cabs are easily available.
  • Bike/Scooter rentals are great for exploring McLeod Ganj, Naddi, Bhagsu, and Dharamkot.
• Weather & Clothing:
  • Even summers can be cool—carry a jacket.
  • Monsoon rains can cause delays—keep buffer time.
• Peak Season Travel:
  • Long weekends get crowded; book hotels in advance.
  • Start your day early to beat traffic on narrow hillside roads.
• Food & Essentials:
  • Must-try Tibetan dishes: Momos, Thukpa, Tingmo, Shapta.
  • Carry water and snacks, especially on treks like Triund.
• Safety Tips:
  • Avoid late-night driving—roads are steep and winding.
  • During monsoon, check road conditions for landslides.