Dharamshala Kangra Valley Package

About this tour

Dharamshala Kangra Valley Package, The influences of the Katoch dynasty, the British Raj, and Tibetan refugees, enrich Dharamshala’s history. Initially impacted by the Katoch rulers, the city’s significance grew when it became a British military station in the 19th century, leading to the development of McLeodganj and Forsythganj. The Gurkhas, early settlers in the area, rebuilt the city after a devastating earthquake in 1905. Dharamshala’s transformation continued with the arrival of the 14th Dalai Lama in 1959, turning the city into a hub for Tibetan culture and the Government of Tibet in Exile. Today, Dharamshala is a culturally vibrant city with a rich historical legacy.

Dharmashala in Kangra Valley was under the rule of the Katoch Dynasty for a long time. The Kangra Fort, a few kilometres away from Dharamshala, was built by Katoch Emperors to safeguard many places around Kangra, including Dharamshala. Presently, the royal family has a residence in dharamshala named “Clouds End Villa”.

The administration of Dharmahsala came under British rule in 1850. During the Second anglo-sikh War, dharamshala was a cantonment for British troops who were posted to Kangra. The official cantonment was established later around a previous Hindu building called Dharamshala, a kind of shelter with very few facilities usually made for pilgrims or travellers to stay for the night.

In the 19th century, the Britishers were divided into regiments and moved to Dharmashala. Mcleodganj and Forsynthganj were the two parts of Dharmahshala, named after two divisional commissioners of the British Raj. Later, the civilians started settling around the places near Dharamshala.

By 1860, the 66th Gurkha Light Infantry was relocated to Dharamshala. They settled near the Bhagsu Falls, and a small settlement eventually grew into fourteen Gurkha Platoon villages. This Gurka platoon was later christened the 1st Gurkha Rifles. They had performed heroic feats during the world wars. The settlement of Gurkhas was a significant event in the area’s history. The Gurkhas, also known as Bhagsuwalas, were deeply connected to their sacred temple, Bhagsunath. Their resilience and determination were further demonstrated when they played a crucial role in reconstructing the city after a massive earthquake in the early 20th Century.

By 1904, Dharamshala had become the centre for trade, commerce, and critical official duties of the British in the Kangra district. The city was very alluring, with beautiful gardens adorned with imported plants. However, this paradise was almost destroyed by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in April 1905. The disaster took a heavy toll on the local population, with thousands of people, including the British, losing their lives and many more sustaining injuries. The earthquake also caused substantial damage to the city, with numerous buildings, including the Bhagsunag temple of the Gurkhas, being almost wholly destroyed. Despite these losses, the city was rebuilt, and the Platoon of 1st Gurkha Rifles continued to operate from there. However, the district headquarters was eventually moved to Shimla.

Dharamshala, a city that had to wait about half a century to witness something more exciting and recordable in its history, underwent a remarkable transformation. The British declined the summer capital, so the place became a subtle town. However, in 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama took refuge in India after the failure of an uprising in 1959 against the Chinese communist party in Tibet. This change, along with the flow of Tibetan refugees, turned the upper part of Dharamshala into mini Tibet and started calling it Dhasa, resembling the capital of Tibet “Lhasa”.

Tourism in Dharamshala Kangra Valley Package

The city’s beautiful weather and landscape attract many tourists worldwide to Dharamshala. It is also a favourite weekend destination for people in nearby towns like Shimla, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Pathankot.

Owing to its rich history, the city also receives visits from history students and people interested in the past. His Holiness Dalai Lama fled to India with the Tibetan people and settled in Upper Dharamshala. Tourists and people who follow Buddhism come to Dharamshala yearly to meet the Dalai lama and participate in Buddhist festivals.

Trekking is the main activity in Dharamshala. The city offers a variety of trekking paths, such as the Triund Trek, Thatharana Trek, Kareri Lake Trek, SNowlineTrek, Indrahar Pass Trek, Kundli Pass Trek, and Minkiani Pass Trek, each with its unique charm. Dharamshala also offers a walk past the mountain to the valley on the other side.

Culturally, Dharamshala is a treasure trove. Its scenic beauty provides a feast for the eyes of Uladhar Rangesand. Hence, Dharamshala has become a city that contributes to the economy and commerce of the state through its rich cultural heritage.

Religious Spots at Dharamshala during the Dharamshala Kangra Valley Package

Masroor Rock Cut Temple: These monolithic rock-cut temples at Masrur (765 m MSL), excavated from a single sandstone ridge, are about 48 km from Kangra Town. These temples form a complex with a ‘girbhagriha’ (sanctum sanctoram) in the centre, possibly twenty-four smaller shrines surrounding it, and a large reservoir excavated on the east. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and facing ritual east, the temple complex preserves a rich vocabulary of north India’s early Nagar temple style. Though these temples suffered extensive damage from the 1905 Kangra earthquake, they are still in ruins. The temple complex still preserves many sculptures and art motifs on its walls, ceilings, and pillars. Noteworthy among these is the image of Shiva on the ‘lalatbimb’ (lintel) of the eastern doorway of the sanctum, goddess Ganga and Yamuna on either side of the entry, and elsewhere, three-faced Siva, Skand, Ishan, Vishnu, Vaikuntha (Vishnu with additional head of a boar and a loin), human Varah, (Vishnu incarnated in human form with boar head), Indra, Durga, Karttikeya, Surya on the horse-drawn chariot, Buddha seated on ‘simhasana’, eight dikpalas (guardians of directions), unified scheme suggests that the temples were to follow a flying Gandharvas with jewelled crowns, celestial musicians ‘sarvatobhadra’ plan (accessible from all cardinal directions). The excavation of temples, however, could not be completed for unknown reasons. 

The central temple, on plan, boasts a unique architectural layout that will intrigue any architecture enthusiast. It houses a girbhagriha (sanctum) that can be accessed through a mandapa (a pillared hall) from the east, flanked by two faux ‘access sub-shrines’. Two ‘passageway sub-shrines’ complemented these with steps leading to the roof. The exterior of the temple complex is equally intriguing, with an ‘angle’, an ‘oblong’, a ‘corner’, and a detached ‘cruciform’ sub-shrine in one of the four quarters. This pattern may have been replicated in the other three quarters. On elevation, the temples are crowned by symmetrically rising individual shikhara (spire), adorned with broad chaitya (horseshoe arch) dormer motifs and graduated suknasika (aquiline-nose features) on four sides, each with three superimposed bhadramukhas (divine faces). The tallest shikhara in the centre stands proudly over the girbhagriha.

Diamond-like lozenges, etc. The Masrur temple complex was probably built by a paramount ruler of the ancient Jalandhar kingdom of Punjab plains or a Katoch ruler under the supremacy of Yashovarman, a king of Kanauj. The temple complex is now known as Thakurdwara (an abode of Vishnu), as it enshrines stone images of Ram, Lakshman, and Sita, dated to circa 19th century CE. Precisely when the temple complex attained a Vaishnav identity is not known.

The Masrur monolithic temples are not just architectural marvels; they hold a significant historical value that invokes a sense of reverence. They represent early rock-cut traditions in India and reflect Gupta classicism in the treatment of sculptures. Stylistically, the temples can be dated to circa 8th century CE. Recognising their outstanding archaeological value, the Archaeological Survey of India declared the temple complex a protected monument of national importance in 1913.

Bhagsunag Temple: This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is 2 km from Mcleodganj. It was constructed in 1800 and has a rich history. During that time, it was worshipped mainly by 14 Gukha platoon villages in Dharamshala. The Temple’s architecture and associated stories glimpse the region’s religious and cultural heritage.

Kunal Pathri Temple: One of the Shaktipeeths close to lower dharamshala dedicated to the goddess Kalpeshwari. The construction of the TempleTemple has a good mythological story. It is believed that Lord Shiva carried her around after Sati’s death. As he did, her body parts fell at various locations known as shaktipeeths. Her head(‘Kunal or Kapal’) is believed to fall near Dharamshala, where it got its name as Kunal Pathri Temple.

Chamunda Temple: This TempleTemple is about 16 km from Dharamshala. It is situated on the banks of River Baner. The Temple Temple is dedicated to the goddess Kali.

Museums and Galleries at Dharamshala during the Dharamshala Kangra Valley Package

Naam Art Gallery -Sidhbari Dharamshala: A feather added to Dharamshala’s vibrant culture. It exhibits paintings by Elizabeth Buschmann. The artist is renowned for her acrylic and watercolour paintings. Oil paintings by Alfred W. Hallett also add glamour to the gallery. Elizabeth Buschmann hails from Germany and has studied painting in London and Paris. Dharamshala is proud to put up its paintings apart from the USA, Germany, Scotland and Switzerland exhibitions. Apart from Dharamshala, she has held exhibitions in New Delhi and Mumbai.

Scenic Spots at Dharamshala during the Dharamshala Kangra Valley Package

Dal Lake: It is one of the scenic spots in McLeodganj. Its banks are covered with Deodar and rhododendron trees, which bloom red in the spring. The lake is about 2 kilometres from McLeod Ganj Main Square and is easily accessible via a cemented path. The lake attracts the maximum number of tourists during the Dal Lake Fair.

Triund: Triund is about 7 kilometers from McLeod Ganj. Triund is famous for trekking, and there is no road to reach triund. The only option is to go for a 3 to 4 hr trek to this beautiful destination on the top of a mountain. There are options for staying in Guest houses and camps provided by locals and travel companies.

Naddi: Due to its geography, Naddi is a scenic village famous for sunset and sunrise views. It lies 5 km from Mcleodganj and about 10 km from Dharamshala. The route between Mcleodganj and Naddi is also very scenic through the woods. Naddi village is also the starting point for the famous trek of Guna Devi.

Bhagsu Waterfall: Situated near Bhagsu temple, this 10m high waterfall is a famous tourist attraction. You must trek 20 to 30 minutes from Bhagsu temple to reach it. Bhagsu is also the starting point for the Triund Trek. A famous cafe, Shiva Cafe, is near this waterfall. The best time to visit this waterfall is in the late monsoon season or early winter when the water is at its sweet spot.

Fort of Kangra during the Dharamshala Kangra Valley Package

Kangra Fort, the ancient Trigarata, strategically located in Kangra Valley, was one of the leading hire states of Punjab during the pre-Mohammedan period. It was part of the kingdom of Jalandhar. When the plains of Punjab fell to the Mohammadans, the kings of Kangra, confined to their territories in the hills, held a strong position in the Kangra fort, which repeatedly precluded Muslim invaders.

The Fort of Kangra is famous and renowned for its strength, stability, solid fortifications and impregnability. It occupies a long, narrow strip of land in the fort between the Majhi and Ban Ganga rivers. Its walls are upwards of 4 k.m. in-circuit, but its strength is not in its works but in the cliffs overhanging. On the side of the ban ganga, the two rivers rise to about 300 feet. The only accessible paint is on the land side towards the town but a few hundred feet, across which a deep ditch has been lawn at the fort of the walls.

The Darshini door, flanked by the defaced status of the Ganga and Yamuna, gave access to a courtyard along the south side facing north. There, the shrines Lakshmi Narayana Sitla and Ambika Devi were located, and a staircase led up to the palace.

The fort of Kangra, a symbol of resistance, was taken by the irresistible Mahmud of Ghazni in a.d. 1009. In 1337, it was captured by Muhammad Tughluq, and again, in 1351, by his successor, Firoj Shah. However, it did not fall into the Mohammedan power permanently until 1622, when Jahangir conquered it after a fourteen-month siege. He garrisoned it with his troops and appointed a Mughal governor to keep the turbulent hill chiefs in check. The surrounding district, except the imperial demesne, remained in the hands of the Katoch rajas, who claimed descent from the ancient rulers of Trigarth.

In the second half of the 18th century, the Mughal power rapidly declined; Raja Sansar Chand-II succeeded in 1786 in recovering the ancient fortress of his ancestors. By taking his ambitious designs too far, he comes into conflict, first with the neighbouring hill chiefs, then with the Gurkhas and finally with Ranjeet Singh, who was compelled to surrender the Kangra fort in 1809. it was occupied by the Britishers in 1846.