The High snow clad Dhauladhar ranges of the Himalayas form a magnificent backdrop to the hill resort of Dharamsala. this is the principal township of Kangra district and overlooks the wide spread of the plains. with dense pine and deodar forests. Numerous streams, cool healthy air, attractive surroundings and the nearby snowline, Dharamsala has everything for a perfect holiday. It is full of life and yet peaceful. And therefore the headquarters of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are here. Covering a wide area in the form of twin settlement, Lower Dharamsala (1380m) is a busy commercial centre.

While upper Dharamsala (1830m) with the suburbs of Mcleodganj and Forsytheganj, retains a British flavour and colonial lifestyle. The charming church of St. John in the wilderness is situated here and this is the final resting place of Lord Elgin, a British Viceroy of India during the 19th century. There is also large Tibetan Community who have made this their home. Numerous ancient temples like Jwalamukhi, Brijeshwari and Chamunda lie on the plains below Dharamsala.

Sightseeing

Dharamsala offers various sightseeings include Kangra Art Museum at Kotwali Bazar – it includes a gallery of Kangra’s famous miniature paintings and a representative collection of sculptures, pottery and anthropological items. Also visit War Memorial full of landscaped lawns and a web of narrow paths fill a pine grove. St. Johns Church – a memorial has been erected over the body of the British Viceroy, Lord Elgin who died at Dharamsala in 1863. Also visit Mcleodganj - the residence of His Holiness Dalai Lama. The Tibetan Government-in-exile has been here for over three decades.

Excursions

In excursion visit Chimmaya Tapovan - an ashram complex established by the late Swami Chinmayananda, a noted exponent of the Gita. Nurpur - famous for an old fort and a temple of Brijraj. Andretta - the famous artist S. Shobha Singh lived here for several years. A gallery houses some of his major works. Masrui has large monolithic temple, similar to the temples of Ellora.

Excursions for Dharamshala

Kangra Art Museum

This treasure trove of the Kangra Valley arts, crafts and rich past, displays artifacts that date back to the 5th century. It includes a gallery of Kangra\' s famous miniature painting and a representative collection of sculptures, pottery and anthropological items. Shamianas and dresses used by local royalty, old carved doors, jails, lintels and pandals are also on display Coins, jewelry and manuscripts are included. A section houses the work of contemporary artists, sculptures and photographers. The library is just below this.

War Memorial

At there start of town, landscaped lawns and a web of narrow paths fill a pine grove where a monuments has been raised to commemorate the post independence war heroes of Himachal Pradesh.

ST. John\'S Church

8km from Dharamsala, between Forsythganj and Mcleodganj is the charming dressed-stone church of St. John in the Wilderness. Under the shade of deodar branches, a memorial has been erected over the body of the British Viceroy, Lord Elgin who died at Dharamsala in 1863. There is a well tended old graveyard on these grassy sloped.

$ST.John\'S Church$

Mcleodganj

Often called the Little Lhasa at 1770m this is the residence of His Holiness Dalai Lama. The Tibetan Government-in-exile has been here for over three decades. The impressive monastery has larger than life images of the Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avaloktwshwara. The large Tibetan community and the presence of traditional architectural designs drawn from Tibet hace enhanced the area. Tibet handicrafts, and garments are available on sale on every Sunday. The Tibetan institute of performing Arts is just a km away and it organises a ten day festival from the second Saturday of April.

Kangra Art Museum

Fact File

Area: 123 sq. km

Population:(1991) 19,303

Altitude: 1889 metre above sea level

Best Time to Visit: April - September

Languages:Hindi, English, and Pahari (local lingo)

STD Code: 018926