HOTRAVEL.BIZ takes you to the Land of The DALAI LAMA – Dharamshala. Lying 526-km northwest of New Delhi, India. Dharamsala is the headquarters of the Kangra District in the Indian State of Himachal Pradesh. It lies on a spur of the Dhauladhar range (5,200 meters), the Pir Panjal region of the Outer Himalayas; and commands majestic views of the mighty Dhauladhar ranges above, and the Kangra Valley below.

Dharamsala is divided into two very different parts. Kotwali Bazaar and areas further down the valley (at the average height of 1,250 meters) are called Lower Dharamsala, while McLeod Ganj (at the height of nearly 1,800 meters) and surrounding areas are known as Upper Dharamsala. McLeod Ganj is nine kilometers by bus route and four kilometers by taxi route up the hill from Kotwali Bazaar. While inhabitants of Lower Dharamsala are almost all Indians, McLeod Ganj is primarily a Tibetan area. McLeod Ganj is surrounded by pine, Himalayan oak, and rhododendron and deodar forests.

McLeod Ganj also known as upper Dharamsala is the most Tibetan of places in India. In the times of British rule Upper Dharamsala was a "hill station", a place where wives and daughters of British officers and government officials spent hot Indian summers. Marvelously scenic, especially upper Dharamsala is well wooded with oak, cedar, pine and other timber yielding trees and offers some lovely walks and finer views. In 1855, Dharamsala had only two major areas where civilians settled in: Mcleodganj, named after Lieutenant Governor of Punjab "David McLeod" and Forsythganj named after a Divisional Commissioner.

McLeod Ganj is the capital of the Tibetan Government in Exile and this is the reason why it is called “LITTLE LHASA”. In 1959 after the Chinese invasion to Tibet, the Dalai Lama – Tenzin Gyatso fled to India and was offered the former hill station, now known as McLeod Ganj, as a place of residence of the Tibetan exile government. In 1960, he was allowed to make McLeod Ganj his headquarters. After his arrival, trade, commerce and tourism picked up afresh. Because with the Dalai Lama came thousands of Tibetan refugees, who gradually settled in McLeod Ganj. During the last three decades, The Tibetans have built many religious, educational and cultural institutions in and around McLeod Ganj, which has helped in preservation of their culture. This has been a keen area of interest for the people around the world and as a result they flock at Dharamsala at various times.

Temperature
Maximum 38 degree Celsius in June; minimum 0 degree C. in January.
Annual Rainfall
Varies between 290 and 380cm. Monsoon season is July to September.
Best Season
Beginning of March through to end of June: and beginning of October through to end November It rains ceaselessly in July, August and September.
Clothing
Woolens in winter and cotton or tropical in summer. An umbrella is essential during Dharamsala's notorious monsoon season.

Monasteries In Dharamshala

Tashijong Monastery: where you could see the Tibetan Carpet Weaving factory, Thangka Paintings and wooden carvings. You could also meet the young incarnated Guruji.

Sherabling Monastery : Originally located in Kham, Eastern Tibet, the Sherabling Monastery has been rebuilt near the town of Bir, according to principles of the ancient science of geomancy.

Bir Monastery : From Dharamsala, our pilgrims went to Bir, staying all too briefly at Dirru Sakya Monastery, the seat of His Eminences Dungyud Tulku Rinpoche and Gyalsay Tulku Rinpoche. We were all deeply touched by the immense generosity of the monastery in their hospitality.

Norbulingka Institute Monastery : Just 4-kms from Dharamsala is Norbulingka. This place has heavy Japanese influence. Norbulingka was established to preserve and teach the ancient Tibetan arts. The shady paths, wooden bridges, small streams tiny water falls make this place look like heaven. Here one can watch the wooden carvings and embroidery being done. The nunnery close to the institute is a place where women are taught the advanced levels of Buddhist philosophy.

Namgyal Monastery : As a result of the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and one hundred thousand Tibetans fled to India and Nepal. Among the original refugees were 55 monks from Namgyal Monastery. After His Holiness the Dalai Lama was granted asylum in the Northern Indian town of Dharamsala, Namgyal Monastery was re-established very nearby the new residence of His Holiness. To this day, nearly fifty years later, the Tibetan religious, artistic and intellectual traditions are being preserved and maintained through the cooperative effort of the Dalai Lama and the Namgyal monks. A Namgyal monk's average day consists of two hours of ritual, two hours of sacred arts, three hours of philosophy classes, two and a half hours of debate, and several hours of meditation and personal study. Students who successfully complete the thirteen-year program receive the degree of Master of Sutra and Tantra from Namgyal Monastery.

PLACES TO VISIT

BHAGSUNAG FALLS: At a distance of 11kms. from Lower Dharamshala, Bhagsunag can be approached by road, here is an old temple, a fresh water spring and some really good restaurants serving all kinds of food. Further about 2kms. is beautiful Bhagsunag water falls which sooths one's eyes.

TRIUND(2975 m): 20 Kms. from Dharamshala, Triund lies at the feet of the perpetually snow clad Dhauladhar at the height of 2975 m . The snow line starts at ilaqa, 5kms. from Triund. It is a popular picnic and trekking spot.

MASROOR: 40 Kms from Dharamshala, Masroor is known for its monolithic rock temples, Masroor is located 15 km south of Kangra. There are 15 richly carved rock-cut temples in the Indo-Aryan style. There is a striking resemblance with similar rock-cut temples found in Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra.

KANGRA FORT: Known as the Nagarkot or Kot Kangra, is situated to the south-west of the old Kangra town. Situated at a 20 KM distance from Dharamshala on the outskirts of the town of Kangra the fort is thought to date back to 1009 AD.

WILDLIFE
The region is rich in animals and birds, which include some of the rare species. The animals and birds that are found here are- (1) Ghoral, (2) KaKkar, (3) Kastura, (4) Aimu, (5) Ibex, (6) Blue mountain sheep, (7) Thar, (8) Black Bear, (9) Brown Bear, (10) Panther or Leopard, (11) Snow Leopard, (12) Wild Boar, (13) Spotted Deer of Chital, (14) Samber, (15) Porcupine, (16) Flying squirrel and (17) Himalayan Pine Martin. Apart from the important game animals described above animals like Jackal, Monkey, Langoor, Fox etc. are also met within the area.
There is a variety of birds in the region like Monal pheasant, Snow cock, Western horned tragopan, Juguriam, Pea-cock, Ring dove, Spotted dove, shikara, parrot, tawny eagle, green pigeon, pigeon, gritton vulture, tits, nut cracker, Pies, Woodpecker, Crow, Himalayan fly catcher, etc. which are found in the tract of this district.

ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
The region is an ideal place for adventure activities like:
PARAGLIDING – at BIR and Billing, this is where the Pre-World cup of Paragliding is held, 35 Kms from Dharamshala.
TREKKING & CAMPING – to Bhagsunag & Triund
BIRD WATCHING – at the Maharana Pratap Sagar Reservoir, 55 Kms from Dharamshala

FOOD & ACCOMMODATION
There are a lot of good options to stay in Dharamshala & Mcleodganj. One can choose from of a variety of Premium, and Deluxe Budget.
Asia Health Resort
Surya Resort
Hotel Royal Palace

Dharamsala is a good place to try Tibetan food
MOMOs (dumplings filled with meat or vegetables), the best place – MOMO Café
Thukpa (noodle soup)
Yak butter tea (salty tea churned with butter, not as good as the real stuff though)
Local favorites are the Gayki, the Snow Lion and the Bakhto. The best place for Western food and a cold beer is the McLlo Restaurant above the bus stand. Another favorite travelers' hangout is the Green Restaurant. Nick’s Italian Kitchen is a popular joint for Italian Food

SHOPPING
You cannot help but shop in Dharamsala when you have a sight of the colorful wares and objects all over the charming markets. There are Tibetan trinkets, inexpensive warm clothing, incense, prayer bells, rugs and books. A large handicraft shop on Jogibara Road sells Thangkas of all sizes, and prayer flags. Nowrojee store by the bus stand, something of an institution, offers sweets stocked in ancient thick glass jars, along with its own bottled pop. The Green Shop, Bhagsu Road, sells recycled painted cards, hand-painted T-shirts, books on environment and filtered boiled water.
Norsang Handicrafts - McLeod Ganj, TCV Handicrafts - McLeod Ganj, Tibet Quality Shop - Jogi Bara Road, and Dharamshala are a few shops of handicraft. Tibetan and Kangra Miniature paintings are available in Kotwali Bazaar.