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Dharamshala
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Dharamshala was formerly known as Bhagsu, and lies in the upper reaches of the Kangra Valley. The village of McLeodGanj lies a little up which is the famed residence of Dalai Lama. Dharamshala is the centre of the Tibetan exile world in India.
Following the 1959 Tibetan uprising there was an influx of Tibetan refugees who followed the 14th Dalai Lama. His presence and the Tibetan population has made Dharamshala a popular destination for Indian and foreign tourists, including students studying Tibet.
One of the main attractions of Dharamshala is Triund hill. Jewel of Dharamshala, Triund is one day trek at the upper reaches of McLeodGanj, located at a distance of about 9 kilometre from McLeodGanj.
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Bir & Billing
Sky Diving in Dharamshala
Bir & Billing are twin positions regarded as the best among the best in paragliding. The bald rise of Billing 8,530 ft is the take off site and Bir 6,824 ftis the landing site. The distance by road between the two is about 14 kms. Billing is sheltered by the Dhauladhar mountains and sorrounded by tea gardens. It offers oppurtunities for high altitude and cross country flying for more than 200 kms. The world record for out and return paragliding was set at Bir-Billing by Xavier Redmond of France when he flew 132.5 kms.
There are no strong winds here in Billing just a small breeze. Temple pilots run paragliding lessons here. www.templepilots.com/Flying-Tours/Bir-Billing-Himalayas
How to reach
Bir is 2.5-3 hrs from Dharamshala, 2.5 hrs from Kangra and 3 hrs from Palampur. Kangra has a domestic airport at Gaggal which is connected to Delhi and Pathankot. Pathankot is the nearest railhead to Billing and has trains coming in from all parts of the country.
Himachal Pradesh is one of the few places in the world to have such geographical diversity. Low hills just a few hundred metres abve the sea level climb on to touch the core of the Himalaya mountains. Here are peaks which never loose its perinnial snow. Rivers in deep gorges and placid mountains lakes, thick forests and scres of scree, mountain sides draped in snow and green alpine pastures make it truly a beautiful place.
Himachal is the home to a variety of fairs and festivals and ofcourse celebrations. There are some 200 deities worshipped in Himachal and numerous fairs and festivals held in their honour. Lets have a look at month by month festivals of Himachal.
Dharamshala where Dalai Lama stays in exile in India has a not much explored option ie the trek to Triund. The road head for the trek is Dharamkot 12 kms from Dharamshala. Tall pine trees, acrid vegetation, zigzag path, oak trees, greet your trek uphil to the heights from where the houses appear smaller and smaller. The himalayan peaks rise above at a distance adding charm to the green pasture. Although inhabitation is less, children and women collecting twigs are visible on the way. The route being quite popular among the foreigners and Indians too shows up two kiosks in the way, the climb would tale 4.5 hrs, and there is a Forest Rest house on top. At a height of 9490ft, you can pitch your tents for an overnight stay or descend to touch down back before eve. There are 2-3 small shops here serving hot tea and maggi. The descent back can be mapped in 3 hrs.
Grading - medium
Tips
good trekking shoes, see sunrise and sunset on top so tents reqd, Tents and sleeping bags are available on hire for Rs 550/- at Triund. The Forest Rest house can be booked through the Forest office in Mcleodganj.
Best time to visit Dharamshala
The best time to visit Himachal Pradesh is January to June and September to December.
The temperature in summer is around 38 degrees and in winter falls to 0 degrees. The rainfall ranges from 300 to 350 cms. Heavy woollens are required in winters and light woollens in winters.
Baijnath temple
The Baijnath temple has been continuously under worship ever since its construction in 1204 A.D. by two local merchants named Ahuka and Manyuka. The two long inscriptions in the porch of the temple indicate that a temple of Siva existed on the spot even before the present one was constructed. The present temple is a beautiful example of the early medieval north Indian temple architecture known as Nagara style of temples.
Norbulingka institute
It is a beautiful place to visit with beautiful Japnese landscaped gardens, a 14 ft gilded copper statue of the Buddha is in the temple here, Losel Doll Museum houses a unique collection of 150 costumed dolls, Norling Café serves a wide range of delicious Italian, Tibetan, Chinese & Indian dishes. Delightful cakes, real coffee, local tea and fresh juices are always available, rich silk appliquéd hangings, cushion covers and bedspreads, and the Tibetan boxes and chests can be brought here.
How to reach
Air: The nearest airport at Gaggal is 14 km away after which it is accessible by road.
Rail: Pathankot is the nearest broad gauge railway terminal to Dharamshala. From Pathankot there is a narrow gauge railway line up to Kangra (94 km) and from here Dharamshala is 17 km by road.
Road: Direct and regular bus service from Delhi (520 km), Chandigarh (250 km), Jammu (210 km), Shimla (238 km), Chamba (185 km) and Manali (240 km).
http://himachaltourism.gov.in
War memorial
Set amidst beautiful surroundings, the war memorial is built near the entry point to Dharamshala to commemorate the memory of those who fought valiantly for the defence of the motherland. Three huge panels of black marble are etched with the names of those martyrs who laid down their lives guarding the motherland in the operations of 1947-48, 1962, 1965, 1971 and in various peacekeeping missions, bearing testimony to their supreme sacrifices
Chamunda devi temple
15 km from Dharamshala is the famous temple of goddess Chamunda Devi (Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham). At the back of the temple is a cave-like scoop where a stone "Lingam" under a boulder represents Nandikeshwar (Shiva). The temple complex is an enchanting spot with glorious view of Dhauladhar, the Baner Khad and Dadh. A vast running water pool houses the statues of Lord Shiva and Saraswati.
TASHIJONG
About 5km west of Baijnath, and 2km north from the Palampur road, the village of Tashijong is home to a small community of Drukpa Kagyud monks and refugees. The focus of life here is the impressive Tashijong Gompa, with several mural-filled prayer halls and a carpet-making, thangka-painting and woodcarving cooperative.
Chinmaya Tapovan Ashram
A popular spiritual retreat for devotees of Rama, with a colourful Ram Mandir, a giant black Shiva lingam and a 6m-high statue of Hanuman.
image http://himachaltourism.gov.in
commons.wikimedia.org
Kotwali Bazaar is in Lower Baazar which is a shopping centre. You can find woolens, shawls, scarves, books, and more. The Kangra art museum can also be visited here. The Upper Dharamshala is Mcleodganj where you can just walk and enjoy the nature.
Mcleodganj (10 kms)
In March 1959, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, fled to India after the failed uprising in 1959 in Tibet against the Communist Party of China. The Indian Government offered him refuge in Dharamshala, where he set up the Government of Tibet in exile in 1960, while McLeodGanj became his official residence and also home to several Buddhist monasteries and thousands of Tibetan refugees.
Bhagsu (12 kms)
2 kms from Mcleodganj is Bhagsu, on the Bhagsu river. Around 5,850 ft above sea level the temple of Bhagsu is said to be 10,000 years old. More and more hotels are building up in the quiet town. There is a waterfall here which is a major attraction for tourists. The monsoons sees the water tumbling from as high as 30 ft. A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is also here.
Triund (17 kms)
Triund is nestled in the foothills of Dhauladhar and is around 17 km from Dharamshala. It's a trekking destination from McLeodGanj, and offers magnificent vistas of the mountains and valleys. The nightstays are in the hoods, small time caves, that local gaddis with their goat herds use as shelters from rains during the daytime.