Dharamsala is located in the district of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh. What many people don’t know is that there are two parts of the city.

One is known as Lower Dharamshala, which is its commercial center and dotted with markets, courts and the famous Kotwali Bazaar, where you come across items of everyday use. Upper Dharamshala is home to Mcleodganj as well as other structures which remind you of its colonial past.

Dharamsala is the home to Dalai Lama, the Buddhist leader who runs his government in exile from Dharamsala. In the year 1959, Dalai Lama came to India with his followers and settled, rather beautified the town of Dharamsala, transforming it into the little Lhasa. Dharamsala, for many years, has been a centre of meditation and peace, with thousands of people from around the world coming here to seek Nirvana. 

Dharamshala is also home to several temples, with the two most famous among them being the Chamunda Devi Temple and Kunal Pathri Temple. Of these, Chamunda Devi Temple is located about 15 km from the main city of Dharamsala. It is revered as a Shakti Peeth and is a part of the Char Devi Temple in Himachal Pradesh. 

Bhagsunag Falls is another place to visit during your trip to Dharamsala.

 Then there is the Gyuto Monastery, which was built in 1989 to commemorate the receiving of Nobel Peace Prize by the Dalai Lama. It was formally inaugurated by him in 1996. 

 Take a Memorable Trek to Kareri Lake 

 Best time to visit 

The best time to visit Dharamshala between mid-February to mid-July (spring and summer) when the weather is pleasant with a temperature ranging between 21-34 degree Celcius. 

HOW TO REACH

Road- Buses of all classes (deluxe, air-conditioned, and regular) ply daily between Dharamshala and major cities such as Chandigarh, Delhi, and Shimla 

Air -Dharamshala town is reached by Kangra Gaggal Airport, about 12 km to the town's south and about 10 km north of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh town. 

Train -To reach Dharamshala by train, one has to reach Kangra, Himachal Pradesh town by Kangra Valley Railway line from Pathankot 94 km away or Una Himachal station i.e. 120 km from Dharamshala and then take a bus or a taxi.

Pathankot is a broad gauge railway head. There is another railway line from Pathankot to Jogindernagar, a part of the Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh, which is a narrow-gauge line. The nearest station to Dharamshala on this line is Chamunda Marg, half an hour away, where a Shaktipitha is; the town is well connected by road to other parts of the country.