♛ Dharamshala or Dharamshala town is situated in Kangra district at a distance of 18 km from Kangra city. Dharamshala is divided into upper and lower divisions having different heights. The lower circle is the city of Dharamshala itself. Whereas, Upper Division is located 3 km away and is popularly known as Mcleodganj. Dharamshala is prominently visited for its bus connections and bustling market.Dharamsala is home to the Buddhist leader Dalai Lama, who runs his government in exile from Dharamsala. Now, what better place on earth to experience the rich and royal Tibetan culture than from this small town nestled at the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges. In the year 1959, the Dalai Lama came to India with his followers and settled down, rather beautifying the city of Dharamsala, turning it into small Lhasa. Dharamshala, for many years, has been a center of meditation and peace, with thousands of people from all over the world coming here in search of Nirvana. ♛
♛ History ♛
♛ Formerly ruled by the Katoch dynasty for nearly two millennia, Dharamsala was annexed by the British in 1848. Thereafter, in 1860, the Gorkhas reached Dharamsala. Also called 'the bravest of the brave', the fate and history of this tribe is intertwined with the city. Gurkhas were originally Nepalese soldiers who were recruited by the British to fight in the world wars. His heroic exploits during the war are remembered even today, and many places in Dharamsala have been named in his honor such as Depot Bazaar, Tirah Lane etc. Dharamshala was a popular hill station for the British working in the Delhi area, and they were considering building it. It was their summer capital until the 1905 earthquake, which killed more than 20,000 people. Shimla was then named the summer capital. The Gurkhas contributed a lot in the reconstruction of the city after the earthquake. Many Gorkhas also played a major role in India's freedom struggle as freedom fighters. The captain of the Indian National Army - Ram Singh Thakur, was a Gorkha, and he composed the famous patriotic song - Kadam Kadam Badhe Jaaye Ja. ♛
♛ Shop ♛
♛ Dharamshala is a shopping haven for tourists and offers many unique, locally made items. The most famous shopping areas in Dharamsala include Jogibara Road and Kotwali Bazaar, both located around McLeod Ganj. McLeod Ganj has a 152-year-old shop called Noroji & Sons that has many antiques for sale—including British and German relics from World Wars. Dharamsala offers a collection of Tibetan and Buddhist artifacts such as brass artifacts, sculptures, wall hangings, wooden and stone beaded prayers, etc. Some of the best shops for these items include Divine Buddha Handicrafts, Tibetan Handicraft Center and Semshuk Tibetan. handicrafts. Namgyal Bookstore is a good place to stop to pick up other books on Tibetan and Buddhist culture as well as Himachal Pradesh and Himalayan history. ♛
♛ Food ♛
♛ One can find a lot of restaurants and cafes here that serve good food. Due to the dominance of Tibetan culture, most Tibetan dishes are served. Must try momos, tulpa and other Tibetan delicacies. Another specialty of this place is the honey ginger lemon tea which is a very refreshing drink. Many cafes also serve English breakfast, along with pancakes, omelets and sandwiches. Some of the best establishments here are Green Restaurant and Herbal Tea Shop. There are also a few pubs that serve food with imported wine as well as music in the background. Momos are the specialty here. The most common are different types of momos locally called tingmo, the Tibetan type of samosa called bucklebes and thukpa, a meal of soup and noodles. ♛
♛ visit Dharamsala ♛
♛ The best time to visit Dharamsala is between February to June (spring and summer) when the weather is pleasant and the maximum temperature is 25°C. Winters are cold here with occasional snowfall; However, it makes the valley more beautiful. Monsoon (July - early September) can be avoided as it can hamper your travel plans, but unlike other parts of Himachal and Uttarakhand, this place does not receive very heavy rainfall. ♛
