Trip to Dharamshala – Himachal Pradesh
Dharamsala is located in Kangra district at a distance of 18km from Kangra City. Dharamsala is separated as upper and lower divisions with different altitudes. The lower division is the Dharamsala town itself. whereas, the upper-division is located 3km away and popularly known as Mcleodganj(Famed as the holy residence of the Dalai Lama and Tibetans in exile). Dharamsala is prominently visited for the bus connections and the bustling market.
The north Indian town of Dharamshala (also spelled ‘Dharamsala’, ‘Dharmshala’ and occasionally ‘Dharmsala’) is a true ‘global village’. Perched on a spur of the Dhauladhar range in the foothills of the Himalayas, this bustling town of 35,000 people is a bridge between worlds.
Dhasa, as it is often called (as a compound of ‘Dharamshala’ and ‘Lhasa’), is the exile home of H.H. the Dalai Lama of Tibet and the Central Tibetan Administration (the ‘Tibetan government-in-exile’).
The heart of the Tibetan community of Dharamshala is the settlement of McLeodGanj, which runs along a ridge overlooking the town of Dharamshala proper.
The colonial origin, the tibetan influence and the kangra air make an invigorating cocktail with a unique blend. Dharamshala stands out amongst the other hill-stations of india. It is also an archetypal getaway for the jaded city souls with thatched cottages nestling amidst thick coniferous forests. As one looks up, the green fringes merge with the snow-clad mountains and as your eyes shift downwards, the vast panorama of the kangra valley embraces you. It is a no holds barred battle of the eye with the scenery and one wonders how much the eyes can behold this quiet rhapsody of the nature.
Is it a tale of two cities? The town is divided in flesh and soul into two halves, each with its own character. The lower dharamshala is the main town at 1250 meters. The upper dharamshala or mcleod ganj from dharamshala by road, it is a 10 kilometers drive, which takes almost the same time as you would, walking up the steep path. The only reason that you would like to visit lower dharamshala would be to see the kangra art museum, which has a treasure trove of the art and crafts of region.
The vestiges of the raj dot the town – foremost is the church of st. John in the wilderness. There is a well-maintained, old graveyard. It reminds one of other old graveyards in hill-stations like mussoorie and shimla. These are perhaps the only peaceful places left in the hustle and bustle of these touristic places and your best bet if you are looking for peace!
McLeodGanj is a small but bustling international centre which blends flavours of Lhasa with elements of a modern Euro-American town in the setting of an Indian shepherds’ village.
Dharamshala attracts a diverse assortment of people from all corners of the earth who come to study and meditate and to make contributions to the Tibetan cause.
Some travellers come just for the scenery (or for the ‘scene’), but those who take the time to explore under the surface are usually transformed by their experiences.
Many return home to enjoy life more deeply and positively transform their own lives and communities. But others seem to get ‘stuck’ here for months or even years, finding the beauty of the natural surroundings, the warmth of the people, the wisdom of the Tibetan and Indian spiritual traditions and the urgency of the Tibetan crisis compels us to stay awhile to learn and to serve.
