Dharamsala is the principal township of the Kangra Valley region and is magnificently set to the background of the Dhauladhar Mountains. The town has been the seat of his Holiness, the Dalai Lama, the Leader of the Tibetans, since 1960 when the Chinese over-ran and occupied Tibet. So much so that Dharamsala is often referred to as little Lhasa. The area is famous for the Kangra School of miniature paintings.

WHAT TO SEE:

MACLEODGANJ:
The Tibetan government-in-exile is also located here. The Buddha temple is
situated opposite the residence of Dalai Lama, the leaders of the Tibetans, and around the temple are the monastery and a nursery. You can find images of Buddha, padmasambhavam and Avalokiteshwara.

ST. JOHN’S CHURCH:
you can see the memorial dedicated to lord Elgin, a victory during the British Raj, who died at Dharamsala and was buried here in 1863.

WAR MEMORIAL:
Upon entering Dharamsala, you will see this beautifully designed monument, raised to the memory of those who lost their lives in the various wars.

BHAGSUNATH:
Close to slate quarries are a fresh water spring and an old temple.

CHINMAYA TAPOVAN:
This is a recently developed ashram complex established by a great exponent of the Gita, Swami Chinmayananda.

MASROOR:
The sanctum of the main temple has images of Ram Lakshman and sita.

TRIUND:
Triund lies at the foot of the Dhauladhars.The snowline starts at Ilaqa, barely 5 km.

DAL LAKE:
It is the starting point for excursions and trekking & lies next to the Tibetan village.

MOUNTAINEERING: There is a branch of the Mountaineering Institute of Manali at Dharamsala from where one can hire equipment including tents.

EXCURSIONS:

NURPUR:
Known for its textiles, Nurpur has an ancient fort, & a temple of Buj Behani.

SUJANPUR-TIRA:
An ancient town famous again, for its temples.

JWALAMUKHI: A popular centre of pilgrimage for several centuries, the temple of Jwalamukhi is considered to be very sacred. There is no idol in this picturesquely located temple, & the flame that issues from a well around which the temple has been constructed is considered a manifestation of the goddess.

CHINTPURNI & CHAMUNDADEVI:
Chintpurni is represented by a stone idol.

OTHER MAJOR EXCURSIONS:
KANGRA, NADUN, PALAMPUR, BAIJNATH, TRILIKPUR.

STANDARD SIGHTSEEING TOURS:
A beautiful little hill resort, Dharamsala is 90 kms from Pathankot, lying on the other side of Chamba. It is the headquarters’ of Kangra district. The waterfall of Bhasunath is within a walking distance. The Dalai Lama, the head of Tibetan Buddhism, who fled Lhasa in 1959, has lived in refuge in this hill town. This place has numerous picnic spots also.