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The High snow clad Dhauladhar ranges
form a magnificent backdrop to the hill resort of Dharamsala. This is the
principal township of Kangra district and overlooks wide spread of the
plains. With dense pine and deodar forests, numerous streams, cool healthy air, attractive
surroundings and the nearby snowline, Dharamsala has everything for a perfect holiday. It
is full of life and yet peaceful. The headquarters of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama are at upper Dharamsala. Covering a wide area in the form of twin settlement,
lower Dharamsala
(1380m) is a busy commercial centre. While upper Dharamsala (1830m) with the suburbs of
Mcleodganj and Forsytheganj, retains a British flavor and colonial lifestyle. The
charming church of St. John in the wilderness is situated here and this is the final
resting place of Lord Elgin, a British Viceroy of India during the 19th century. There is
also a large Tibetan community who have made this place their home. Numerous ancient temples
like Jwalamukhi, Brijeshwari and Chamunda lie on the plains below Dharamsala.
ACCESS:
Dharamsala can be approached by air from Delhi. The nearest airport is at Gaggal, 13
km away. Pathankot, the nearest broad gauge railway station is 85 km away and the toy train
station is 17 km at Kangra. Taxis and Buses for Dharamsala are available at both places.
From Pathankot the drive takes about three hours or you can drive from Delhi (526 km) via
Chandigarh, Kiratpur and Bilaspur and takes 12 hours. From Delhi and Shimla
luxury buses ply to Dharamsala. HPTDC operates a regular Luxury coach from Delhi
to Dharamsala.
CLIMATE:
In winter, the temperature can drop to freezing point when heavy woolens are required.
During summer, the climate is mild and light woolens / cottons are recommended.
 THE DHAULADHAR: Poised against
the mighty Dhauladhar ranges, Himachal Tourism Hotel Dhauladhar
offers a commanding view of the mountains and of the Pong Dam reservoir.
Situated in the heart of town, it is easily accessible from all directions.
ADDRESS:
The Dhauladhar, Kotwali Bazar, Dharamsala (H.P.) - 176215.
Tel: (01892) 224926, 224927 Fax: 01892 - 224928
E-mail: dharamshala@hptdc.in
CLASS: Deluxe Hotel.
Check availability and book The Dhauladhar
NOTE:
During May, June & October all rooms will
be sold on Modified American Plan (MAP) by adding Rs. 350/- per room per day on
double occupancy on the mentioned tariff.
- Luxury suites have fire place,
separate sitting and dressing room, balcony
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Rooms are airy,
spacious, well furnished with attached baths and running hot & cold water.
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Satellite Television, Billiards
room.
- Room Service, Laundry and
Dry Cleaning.
- Parking within premises. Safety deposit. Doctor on call.
- Conference facility for 60 persons.
- Bar & Restaurant serving Indian, Chinese,
Continental and Himachali cuisine.
- Open air restaurant in lawn,
overlooks the valley.
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MasterCard / Visa credit cards accepted
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Tariff on MAP in May, June and October and on CP during rest of the year
 HOTEL BHAGSU: Started in October
1978, Himachal Tourism's Bhagsu Hotel is located near the residence of His
Holiness, The Dalai Lama and the Namgyal Monastery at Mcleodganj, 7 km uphill
from Dharamsala. The hotel is named after the famous
temple of Bhagsunath. Sprawled over wide area with lush green deodar trees, spacious lawns
and backdrop of the majestic Dhauladhar mountains, Hotel Bhagsu presents nature at its
very best.
ADDRESS:
The Bhagsu, Mcleodganj, Dharamsala (H.P.) - 176219.
Tel: (01892) - 221091,
221092
E-mail: dharamshala@hptdc.in
CLASS: Deluxe Hotel.
Check availability and book The Bhagsu
NOTE:
During May, June & October all rooms will
be sold on Modified American Plan (MAP) by adding Rs. 350/- per room per day on
double occupancy on the mentioned tariff.
- All rooms have wall to wall carpeting
and are
airy, well furnished with attached baths and running hot & cold water. Room heaters
provided
- Beer Bar & Restaurant
serving Indian, Continental and Himachali cuisine
- Room service, Laundry and
Dry Cleaning available
- Parking within premises, Doctor on call,
Satellite Television
- Conference facility for 30 persons. Children's Park
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MasterCard / Visa credit cards accepted
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Tariff on MAP in May, June and October and on CP during rest of the year
| THE CLUB HOUSE:
Located in
Mcleodganj, The Club House is most conveniently located in the vicinity of His
Holiness the Dalali Lama's residence. Club House is ideally suited for those out
to visit Tibetian monasteries and their cultural fervour in the neighborhood. It
offers a panoramic view of the Kangra Valley stretching out into the horizon. ADDRESS:
The Club House, Mcleodganj, Dharamsala (H.P.) - 176219.
Tel: (01892) - 220834
E-mail:
dharamshala@hptdc.in
CLASS: Deluxe Hotel.
Check availability and book The Club House
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NOTE:
During May, June & October all rooms will be sold
on Modified American Plan (MAP) by adding Rs. 350/- per room per day on double
occupancy on the mentioned tariff.
- Rooms
are well furnished with attached baths and running hot & cold water.
- Restaurant
Room service, Laundry and
Dry Cleaning available.
- Parking within premises, Doctor on call.
- Conference Hall, Table
Tennis, Billiard room.
-
Satellite Television.
-
Tariff on MAP in May, June and October and on CP during rest of the year
THE KASHMIR HOUSE:
Built in 1935
by Lala Amar Nath Sood, The Kashmir House was purchased by then
Maharaja of J&K Sh. Hari Singh. Later the Raja sold this beautiful house to the Punjab
Govt. The Kashmir House
was later handed over to HPTDC to run as a deluxe hotel by the State Govt. It has a truly regal
setting with a spectacular view.
ADDRESS:
The Kashmir House, Dharamsala (H.P.)-176215. Tel: (01892) - 222977
E-mail: dharamshala@hptdc.in
CLASS: Deluxe Hotel.
Check availability and book The Kashmir House
- Rooms are airy, decently furnished
with
attached baths and running hot & cold water.
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Satellite Television
- Restaurant, Room service.
- Parking within premises. Doctor on call.
THE KUNAL: Close to the
Bus
Station, The Kunal is a Deluxe hotel. It provides decent accommodation at affordable
prices.
ADDRESS:
The Kunal, Dharamsala (H.P.) - 176215.
Tel: (01892) - 223163 E-mail:
dharamshala@hptdc.in
CLASS:
Deluxe
Hotel.
Check availability and book The Kunal
- Airy and well furnished
rooms. Attached baths with running hot & cold water.
- Parking within premises.
- Restaurant, Room service,
Satellite Television.
PLACES OF INTEREST
The variety Dharamsala offers for
sightseeing ranges from temples, churches and monasteries to museums, ancient towns and
places of natural beauty. Every season and every spot has its own special offering.
KANGRA ART MUSEUM, KOTWALI BAZAR: This
treasure trove of the Kangra Valley displays arts, crafts and rich past, artifacts that
date back to the 5th century. It includes a gallery of Kangra's famous miniature painting
and a representative collection of sculptures, pottery and anthropological items.
Shamianas and dresses used by local royalty, old carved doors, jails, lintels and pandals
are also on display Coins, jewelry and manuscripts are included. A section houses the work
of contemporary artists, sculptures and photographers.
WAR MEMORIAL: At there start of
town, landscaped lawns and a web of narrow paths fill a pine grove where a monument has
been raised to commemorate the post independence war heroes of Himachal Pradesh.
KUNAL PATHRI: A 3 km level walk from the Kotwali Bazaar leads up to this rock temple.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH: 8 km from Dharamsala, between Forsythganj and Mcleodganj is the charming church of
St.
John in the Wilderness. Under the shade of deodar branches, a memorial has been erected
over the body of the British Viceroy, Lord Elgin who died at Dharamsala in 1863. There is
a well tended old graveyard on these grassy sloped.
MCLEODGANJ:
Often called the Little Lhasa, at 1770m is the residence of His Holiness,
The Dalai Lama. The Tibetan
Government in exile has been head quartered here for over three decades. The impressive monastery has
larger than life images of the Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avaloktwshwara. The large Tibetan
community and the presence of traditional architectural designs drawn from Tibet have
enhanced the area. Tibetian handicrafts and garments are available on sale every Sunday.
The Tibetian Institute of Performing Arts is just a km away and organises a ten day
festival from the second Saturday of April.
DAL LAKE: 11 km from Dharamsala and
surrounded by deodar trees this is an
enchanting and serene picnic spot.
BHAGSUNATH:
Close to fresh springs, this
ancient temple is 11 km from Dharamsala. It is a popular picnic spot and the famous slate
quarries are close by.
CHINMAYA TAPOVAN:
10 km from Dharamsala
on the banks of the rivulet Bindusaras, is an ashram complex established by the late
Swami Chinmayananda, a noted exponent of the Gita. The complex includes a 9 meter high image of
Lord Hanuman, a magnificent Rama Temple, a meditation hall, a school, and a health and
recreation centre.
NURPUR: 66km from Dharamsala and 26 km
from Pathankot, Nurpur is famous for old fort and a temple
of Brijraj. Nurpur acquired its name in 1672, when Jahangir, the Mughal Emperor named it
after his wife Nurjahan.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS: The temple of Jwalamukhi, Chamunda Devi and Brijeshwari Devi are other pilgrim
centers close to
Dharamsala. The fort of Kangra and Ma11ngarh are other attractions.
ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS: Between
May and October, the Dhauladhar ranges offer an enormous variety of trekking and rock
climbing.
FISHING:
The 20 km stretch of the river Beas between Nadaun and Pong Dam offers ample opportunities in angling for Mahaseer.
SHOPPING:
For local handicrafts visit Kotwali Bazar, Tibetan handicrafts and carpets are available at Mcleodganj.
In local parlance,
the word for lot of water is "pulum". This is what has given Palampur
(1249 m) its name
and its water has given the valley so much of its character. Countless streams criss-cross
the landscape and in their intricate mesh, hold tea gardens and rice fields. The
town came into being when tea plantation was introduced in the
19th century and Palampur became a focus for the planters. Kangra tea, with its center at
Palampur, has been internationally acclaimed since then.
To further bless the area with
remarkable natural beauty, the Dhauladhar ranges rise dramatically just
beyond Palampur. The town itself has interesting colonial architecture and the area
around is richly garnished with historical temples and forts and scores of picturesque
hamlets.
ACCESS:
The airport is at Gaggal (Kangra) 37 km from Palampur. Nearest broad gauge railway station is at Pathankot
at a distance of 115 km and the narrow gauge railway station is at Maranda, 4 km from the town. Taxis and buses are available at
all places. By road Palampur is 545 km from Delhi.
CLIMATE:
In winter, the temperature can get quite low and heavy woolens are required. It is warm in
summer and cottons are recommended.
THE TEA BUD: The appropriately
named hotel, The Tea Bud is run by Himachal Tourism at Palampur. In the finest part of town,
with lush tea gardens just opposite, is the hotel. It has deodar and pine trees, the
red-brick building is a heaven for those who seek solitude and privacy.
ADDRESS:
Hotel Tea Bud, Palampur (H.P. )- 176061.
Tel: (01894) - 231298.
CLASS: Deluxe Hotel.
Check availability and book The Tea
Bud
- Airy and well furnished
rooms. Attached baths with running hot & cold water. Parking within premises.
- Restaurant, Room service,
Satellite Television,
Conference Hall
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MasterCard / Visa credit cards accepted.
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Conference Hall
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Ayurvedic Treatments
CAFE
NEGUAL: HPTDC runs a cafe with a sitting capacity of 30 persons.
CAFE
BHAIRAV: HPTDC runs a cafe with sitting capacity 25 persons at
Baijnath, 15 km from Palampur.
PLACES OF INTEREST
TEA FACTORY(15
Km): At the very start of
the town, the tea factory of the co-operative society, offers an insight to the processing
of Kangra tea.
GOPALPUR(13
Km): It has an attractive small zoo where a variety of Himalayan
birds and animals are housed.
ANDRETTA
(13 Km):
A scenic village that famous playwright Norah Richards and artist
Shobha Singh took fancy and spent may years living in.
At the small open-air theatre,
plays are still performed each summer to commemorate Norah Richard's
contribution to dramatics Shobha Singh's house has been converted into an art
gallery where the famous artist works are on permanent display. A small pottery
produces exquisite Andretta earthenware.
NEUGAL KHAD: A scenic spot with acres of tea
gardens around. The wide chasm through which Bundla rivulet flows here is
wondrous.
BAIJNATH (15 Km): It harbours an exquisite
specimen of temple architecture in finely chiseled stone dedicated to Lord Shiva
built in circa 804 A.D.
MAHAKAL TEMPLE (22 Km): Considered to be only
one of two temples dedicated to Lord Shiva as Mahakal in the country.
In 1925, the enterprising Raja
Joginder Sen of Mandi created an elaborate hydel power scheme near the village of
Sukrahatti which was then renamed Joginder Nagar (1220m) after him. After tunneling and
piping the water over several kilometers from the river Uhl to Joginder Nagar, the Shanan
power house was built by a team of engineers headed by Col. Batty. Later, the HP State
Electricity Board added another set of turbines at nearby Bassi.
Joginder Nagar has everything for a
quite and relaxing holiday and leaves options open for trekking, fishing, sightseeing,
picnics and enjoyable drives in the area.
ACCESS:
Joginder Nagar is the terminus of the narrow gauge rail track from Pathankot.
The narrow gauge train leaves at 9.50 am from Pathankot. It is 65 km
by road from Kangra an 55 km for Mandi. The nearest airports are at Gaggal (Kangra), and
from the one at Bhunter near Kullu the distance is 115 km. Taxis and buses to
Joginder Nagar are available at all major stations.
CLIMATE:
In winter the temperature can hover just above freezing point when heavy woolens are
required. During summer, the climate is mild and light woolens / cottons are recommended.
THE UHL: At
Joginder Nagar, Himachal tourism runs the Hotel Uhl named after the river whose
water have been channeled to the power house. It's large twin structure is built of finely
dressed stone, and has a sprawling lawn with frontage along the highway. While the
hill rises behind it, the hotel has a view of the valley below Joginder
Nagar.
ADDRESS:
The Uhl, Joginder Nagar (H.P.) - 176120
Tel: (01908) - 222002
CLASS:
Deluxe Hotel.
Check availability and book The Uhl
- Rooms are airy, specious with wall to
wall carpeting, attached well appointed baths with running hot & cold
water.
- Restaurant, Rooms Service,
Satellite Television, Laundry and Dry cleaning arranged.
- Parking within premises
BIR RESORTS:
Bir (Billing) is a beautiful
village in Distt. Kangra and is a base camp for International Paragliding
Competitions. It is situated at a
height of 5500 feet. The resort is situated among sprawling Tea Gardens next to
the Tibetan monasteries.
ACCESS:
The nearest airport is at Gaggal, 60 km. By train the nearest broad gauge
station is Pathankot and then by Kangra toy train till Bir Raod station. By road
the route to Bir is Chandigarh - Ropar - Nangal - Una - Kangra - Palampur -
Baijnath - Bir
ADDRESS:
Bir Resorts, Village - Bir, Tehsil Baijnath, Distt. Kangra (H.P.)
Tel: (01894) - 268367
CLASS:
Budget Hotel.
- Rooms are airy, specious with wall to
wall carpeting, attached well appointed baths with running hot & cold
water.
- Restaurant, Rooms Service,
Satellite Television.
- Parking within premises
PLACES
OF INTEREST
MACCHIYAL LAKE: 6 km from the Hotel Uhl is this small but enchanting lake held sacred to Machendru Devta.
BASSI POWER HOUSE:
6 km from the hotel is an
attractive picnic spot.
BIR: 16 km from Joginder
Nagar, this
is a Tibetan settlement with a beautiful monastery.
BAIJNATH:
20 km from Joginder Nagar is this exquisite temple where Lord Shiva is
worshipped as Vaidyanath - ‘The Lord of Physicians’. The original temple was
built in 804 A.D. Here King Ravana is said to have supplicated Lord Shiva for
this boon of immortality.
JHATINGRI (2012 m):
12 km from Joginder Nagar is this enchanting spot at top of a hill. Surrounded by thick deodar forest,
the ruins of the summer palace of the Mandi rulers is located here and the vistas it
unfolds are breath-taking.
BAROT:
22 km by road from Joginder Nagar, and 11 km by the Haulage trolley, Barot packs an enormous range of outdoor
activities. The reservoir of the power project is located here. A trout
breeding centre making it a wonderful place for angling. Across the river Uhl is the
Nargu Wild Life Sanctuary home to the ghoral, Himalayan black bear and a variety of
pheasants.
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