Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India is one of the picturesque and splendid places having an unparalleled charm. The mighty Dhauladahar mountain range stands tall overseeing a lively valley. Indeed worthwhile! In winters the snow clad Dhauladhar offers an incredible sight. The place has much to offer for people from all walks of life. Mcleodganj is apt for the youth who wish to have a gala time shopping and eating while elderly can plan a religious cum pleasure trip. For adventurers plenty of passable treks and wilderness is there in the offing.
In summers a large number of tourists from the adjoining states make a beeline to the place to get respite from the scorching weather. Hill station of Dharamshala is a well known tourist destination. There are many places viz. main town Kotwali, Mc Leodganj and Bhagsunag which can be visited to savor the real flavor of the place. In the main town a war memorial and temple of goddess Kunalpathri are worth seeing. On way to Kunal pathri which is about 3 km from the war memorial, one can enjoy a walk on a narrow route amidst tea gardens. It can certainly be ‘a walk to remember’.
Dharamshala is a cosmopolitan place where Indians , Tibetans , Nepalis and foreigners from other countries live together in an absolute harmony. Mc Leodganj is about 14 km from Dharamshala town and is the home of His Holiness- the Dalai Lama and a headquarter of Tibetan government in exile. In Mc Leodganj one can truly experience a feeling of hanging out somewhere in the streets of Tibet.
The place exudes a distinctive holiness and buzzes with activity all through the year. There is a famous Buddhist monastery, Tibetan hospitals, TCV (Tibetan Children Village) school and handicraft outlets. An archaic church of St. Johns in the wilderness is another landmark structure. The architecture and ambience lends a truly divine glory to the place. Connoisseu
rs will be attracted by a variety of items the shops offer including exclusive junk jewelry, ethnic handicrafts and decoration pieces and antiques.
Hotels and restaurants are ubiquitous with multi cuisine food from different countries to satiate the gastronomic urge, thanks to the heavy influx of foreign tourists every year! While in the town one can also enjoy authentic Tibetan loco momos and thupka sold for peanuts as a street food, with hygeine of course remaining uncompromised. Besides, there are bookshops which sell literature on Buddhism and Tibetan struggle for those with an appetite for realistic reading.
Bhagsunag is another important destination which is at a walking distance (2km) from Mc Leodganj. There is a magnificent Nag temple and a natural waterfall. Tourist groups can be seen playing in the waters and enjoying to the hilt. Naddi and Dal Lake are other adjacent and equally picturesque serene places worth visiting. Adventurers who wish to retreat from the hustle bustle to a calm solitude can take pleasure in the treks of Dharamkot and Talnu which are regularly organized by local mountaineering groups.
Apart from these tourist addresses, district Kangra is also famous for the pilgrimages of Chamunda Devi, Brajeshwari and Jwalamukhhi. Chamunda Devi also known as Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham is around 15 km from Dharamshala is situated on the rivulet side. View of Dhauladhar range is spectacular from the temple premises. Other places of interest like Gopalpur zoo, Palampur and Baijnath temple (a protected monument) on the Kullu-Manali highway are notably great for sightseeing. Tea gardens on the way are simply irresistible. One can always stop by to click pictures and purchase pleasant tasting Kangra tea from the direct retail outlets.
Kangra can be reached by a direct bus from Delhi or a train from Delhi till Pathankot. From Pathankot one can board a bus to Kangra. Also a direct flight from Delhi to Gaggal (Kangra) is available. I would personally advise a night bus travel which is comfortable . One can really enjoy the morning fresh air and the beautiful view en route as one approaches one of the most beautiful valleys of the world. Advance hotel booking is also recommended in peak tourist season and otherwise also to avoid any inconvenience.
In summers a large number of tourists from the adjoining states make a beeline to the place to get respite from the scorching weather. Hill station of Dharamshala is a well known tourist destination. There are many places viz. main town Kotwali, Mc Leodganj and Bhagsunag which can be visited to savor the real flavor of the place. In the main town a war memorial and temple of goddess Kunalpathri are worth seeing. On way to Kunal pathri which is about 3 km from the war memorial, one can enjoy a walk on a narrow route amidst tea gardens. It can certainly be ‘a walk to remember’.
Dharamshala is a cosmopolitan place where Indians , Tibetans , Nepalis and foreigners from other countries live together in an absolute harmony. Mc Leodganj is about 14 km from Dharamshala town and is the home of His Holiness- the Dalai Lama and a headquarter of Tibetan government in exile. In Mc Leodganj one can truly experience a feeling of hanging out somewhere in the streets of Tibet.
The place exudes a distinctive holiness and buzzes with activity all through the year. There is a famous Buddhist monastery, Tibetan hospitals, TCV (Tibetan Children Village) school and handicraft outlets. An archaic church of St. Johns in the wilderness is another landmark structure. The architecture and ambience lends a truly divine glory to the place. Connoisseu
rs will be attracted by a variety of items the shops offer including exclusive junk jewelry, ethnic handicrafts and decoration pieces and antiques.Hotels and restaurants are ubiquitous with multi cuisine food from different countries to satiate the gastronomic urge, thanks to the heavy influx of foreign tourists every year! While in the town one can also enjoy authentic Tibetan loco momos and thupka sold for peanuts as a street food, with hygeine of course remaining uncompromised. Besides, there are bookshops which sell literature on Buddhism and Tibetan struggle for those with an appetite for realistic reading.
Bhagsunag is another important destination which is at a walking distance (2km) from Mc Leodganj. There is a magnificent Nag temple and a natural waterfall. Tourist groups can be seen playing in the waters and enjoying to the hilt. Naddi and Dal Lake are other adjacent and equally picturesque serene places worth visiting. Adventurers who wish to retreat from the hustle bustle to a calm solitude can take pleasure in the treks of Dharamkot and Talnu which are regularly organized by local mountaineering groups.
Apart from these tourist addresses, district Kangra is also famous for the pilgrimages of Chamunda Devi, Brajeshwari and Jwalamukhhi. Chamunda Devi also known as Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham is around 15 km from Dharamshala is situated on the rivulet side. View of Dhauladhar range is spectacular from the temple premises. Other places of interest like Gopalpur zoo, Palampur and Baijnath temple (a protected monument) on the Kullu-Manali highway are notably great for sightseeing. Tea gardens on the way are simply irresistible. One can always stop by to click pictures and purchase pleasant tasting Kangra tea from the direct retail outlets.
Kangra can be reached by a direct bus from Delhi or a train from Delhi till Pathankot. From Pathankot one can board a bus to Kangra. Also a direct flight from Delhi to Gaggal (Kangra) is available. I would personally advise a night bus travel which is comfortable . One can really enjoy the morning fresh air and the beautiful view en route as one approaches one of the most beautiful valleys of the world. Advance hotel booking is also recommended in peak tourist season and otherwise also to avoid any inconvenience.
