Dharmshala Hill Station

Dharamsala, popularly known as "Scotland of India" is a beautiful hill station in Himachal Pradesh. It is well known for its Tibetan settlement and for being the Headquarters of the Dalai Lama in India.
A nearby snowline with numerous streams makes the surroundings very attractive. The colorful temple and Gompas, which reflect the culture of Tibet, adds attraction for the visitor. The mountains enfold it from three sides while the valley stretches in front.

Covering a wide area, it is divided into two parts: Lower Dharamshala and Upper Dharamshala. Lower Dharamshala is a busy commercial center, and Upper Dharamshala is the town that retains a British flavor and colonial lifestyle. Its suburbs are still called McLeod Ganj and Forsyth Ganj.

McLeod Ganj has a strong Tibetan influence; monks in deep red are a common sight in this town and it is also the headquarters of the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama settled here after his flight across the Himalayas following the Chinese invasion of Tibet. The Namgyal Monastery, known as little Lhasa is a major attraction in McLeodganj

The charming church of St. John with stained glass windows is located in the wilderness of Dharamshala and was the final resting place of Lord Elgin, a British Viceroy of India. Numerous ancient temples like Jwalamukhi Temple, Brijeshwari Temple and Chamunda Temple also lie on the plains below. The Kangra museum is worth a visit as it gives an overview of the rich past of the region.

Other important places to see in Dharamshala include Machhrial And Tatwani, Dal Lake, Kareri Lake, Dharamkot, War Memorial, Bhagsunath, Kunal Pathri, Chinmaya Tapovan, Sujanpur Tira and Andretta.

A busy bazaar town, Dharamsala has established itself as the travelers base camp, which come to explore the nearby mountains. The Kotwali Bazaar provides all the color and unconventional behavior of a small town and a simple life style. The central Tibetan Administration Offices are located here and you can also attend lectures & classes on Tibetan culture and Buddhism. One can even trek to snow point after an early morning's start.