Dharamsala

Dharamsala is in the Kangra valley, in the Dhauladhar mountains, and became the capital of the Kangra District in 1852. It can be accessible from Pathankot which is 120 km away. The nearest railway connection to Dharamsala is Kangra. The nearest airport is Gaggal at Kangra which is just 15km from Dharamsala. There is a daily flight from Dharamsala to Delhi.

The town is divided between McLeod Ganj or Upper Dharamsala (which retains a British colonial atmosphere), and Lower Dharamsala (the commercial centre). Upper Dharamsala (elevation about 1,700 m or 5,580 ft) is about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) from Lower Dharmsala by road and is some 460 m (1,510 ft) higher.

McLeod Ganj, or Upper Dharamsala, is the residence of Tenzin Gyatso, the current Dalai Lama. A substantial community of Tibetan exiles resides in the town. There is a small Anglican church, St. John in the Wilderness, featuring stained-glass windows, just a few hundred metres from McLeod Ganj. Lord Elgin (James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin), one of the British viceroys, is buried here, as is Francis Younghusband.


[edit] Demographics
As of the 2001 India census,[4] Dharamsala had a population of 19,034. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Dharamsala 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 Dharamsala, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.


[edit] Famous residents
Tenzin Gyatso, 14th and current Dalai Lama
Namrata Singh Gujral - Hollywood Actress
nikita hazarika supermodel[citation needed]
Passang Lhamo - nun and activist, and former inmate of Drapchi Prison
James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin, died here.
Didi Contractor-Painter and Altenative Energy/housing constructor(subject of Kiran Narayan's book 'My family and other Saints')
Boom Boom La Bern-Australian Cabaretist,Writer,Restauranteur,Artiste and Academic
Maharaja Aditya Katoch of Kangra and Maharani Chandresh Kumari-formerly Princess of Jodhpur

[edit] Climate
During the months of December and January, snow and sleet is common. Summer temperatures range from 22 °C to 38 °C. It is very cold in winter as Dhauladar range of hills, at over 15000 feet, is close by and covered with thick snow during winter and sometimes in Autumn and Spring. The natural features surrounding the town include rich forests of Pine and Deodars. Rice, wheat and tea are grown around Dharamsala.


[edit] Connectivity
The nearest airport is Gaggal Airport, it is an hour drive from Dharamsala.
Air conditioned, deluxe buses ply from major cities like : Chandigarh, Delhi, Shimla etc.
Nearest railway station is Chakki Bank at Pathankot, which is 3 hours from Dharamsala and is well connected to rest of Northern India their is an other rail way line from Pathankot to jogindernagar
which is a part of Mandi distt. of HP. and it is an narrow gadge line and for going to Dharmshala nearest railway station is Chamunda Marg which is 1/2 hours from Dharamsala and is well connected by the road to the other parts of country( Chasmunda is an famous SHAKTIPITHA IN the world )


[edit] Places of attraction
St.John's Church
Triund (2975 m)
Kunal Pathri
brajeshwari temple
dari
Cafe Boom Boom the Fifth, popular restaurant with tourists
khaniyara
aghanjar mahadev
indru nag temple
golf course (yol cant)
kareri lake
lam dal lake
Chinmaya Tapovan
Dal lake
Dharamkot (2100 m)
Bhagsunath
Tatwani and Machhrial
Chamunda Mandir
Trilokpur
Masrur (rock temple)
Nurpur[5]
Norbulingka Institute
Sidhbari
Adi Shakti Temple , Naddi
Historical fort of kangra in Purana Kangra.
Haripu Village

[edit] Gallery