Dharamshala Travel Guide

Dharmshala is located in Kangra valley at the foothills of Dhauladhar range in Himachal Pradesh. It is also the center of the Tibetan government in exile. I spent around 4 weeks, end of April to May in Dharmshala and Dharamkot working remotely and exploring places at my own pace. So whenever I got some time I stepped out to see places around – one place at a time.

With a bit of walking, you can easily explore all these attractions in McLeod Ganj, Dharamkot, and Bhagsu.

How to get to Dharamshala

By Air – Book a flight to Kangra Airport, also known as Gaggal Airport.

By Road – By road, Dharamshala can be reached via the NH503 and NH503A highways, which connect it to major cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Amritsar. You can easily get direct buses from these places.

By Train – Dharamshala does not have a railway station of its own. The nearest major railway station is Pathankot Railway Station, which is approximately 85 km away from Dharamshala. From Pathankot, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Dharamshala.

Best Time To Visit Dharamshala

The best season to visit Dharamshala is during spring or autumn – March to June and September to November seasons. The clear skies and ideal temperature is perfect for outdoor adventure and sightseeing.

You can also plan a trip to Dharamshala during monsoon season July to August but heavy rains can make it difficult to explore outdoor. Additionally, during winters -December to February – it can be quite cold so pack accordingly.

The weather can surprise you in the mountains. One minute it’s sunny and clear, and the next you’re caught in a refreshing rain shower. That’s the charm of being in mountains.

How to plan your stay in Dharamshala

As a tourist visiting Dharamshala – book your hotel in areas like McLeodganj, Dharamkot or Bhagsunag. These areas are close to popular attractions like the Dalai Lama Temple, Bhagsu Waterfall, and Namgyal Monastery and gives an easy access to local markets.

Best Cafes in Dharamshala

There are lot of cafes and bakeries in Dharamshala. While I typically steer clear of the cold and preserved food often served at many cafes and restaurants, Dharamshala surprised me. I thoroughly enjoying my visits to cafes there. Exploring cafes became a delightful pastime for me. You can find all the details about the cafes I visited in the blog below.

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Things To Do In And Around Dharamshala

Bhagsunag Temple And Bhagsunag Waterfall

Hike to Bhagsunag Waterfall early in the morning to avoid the crowds. The waterfall is about 400-500 meters from Bhagsunag Temple and takes around 10 to 15 minutes to reach.The hike is short and uphill, with a paved path lined with local stalls. A few more minutes of hiking will take you to Shiva Cafe.

The water at Bhagsunag waterfall is so clear you can easily see the pebbles beneath.

The Bhagsunag Temple has an old shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and a pool filled with natural flowing water. Since it was very close to our hotel, I visited it several times, both early in the morning and after dinner. I loved sitting on the bench near the pool, listening to the calming sound of the water as I read the folk tale of this temple.

Long ago, there was a king named Bhagsu who ruled the area. His kingdom faced a severe drought, and he couldn’t bear to see his people suffer without water. Determined to find a solution, he traveled and discovered a sacred land belonging to Nag Devta, the serpent god. King Bhagsu found a hidden spring and took water from it without asking permission. This angered Nag Devta, who confronted the king, leading to a fierce battle between them. Realizing his mistake, King Bhagsu begged for forgiveness.

Nag Devta, moved by the king’s sincerity and remorse, forgave him and blessed the water source. The spring was named Bhagsunag to symbolize the unity of King Bhagsu and Nag Devta. To honor this encounter, the Bhagsunag Temple was built at the spot where the battle took place.

Dalai Lama Temple

Dalai Lama Temple is located in McLeod Ganj which often called Little Tibet due to the significant Tibetan population that has settled there. The presence of the Dalai Lama, who resides in this area, attracts numerous visitors from different parts of the world to Dharamshala, eager to meet him and experience the spirituality. The complex includes the Namgyal Monastery, the Tibet Museum, and various shrines dedicated to Buddhist deities.

The purpose of our lives is to be happy. – Dalai Lama

Snow-capped mountains seen from Dakini Café, McLeod Ganj

Trek to Triund Top

Read blog – Triund Trek – In The Heart of Dhauladhar

Enroll in a Pottery Workshop

Dive into the art of pottery at Dharamkot Studio, set in a scenic location. They offer a variety of workshops suited to your interests, which you can select directly from their website.

Dharamkot Studio pottery official website link

While doing pottery, you can catch glimpses of the mountains. Pottery was a very enjoyable experience for me, and it was the first time in years that I engaged in any kind of art.

You can also learn pottery at Andretta Pottery in the heart of the beautiful artist village of Andretta near Dharamshala. I’ve heard good reviews about them.

Experience the thrill of a Cricket Match at Dharamshala Stadium

It is a stunning stadium with the backdrop of the Dhauladhar range.

Dhoni ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Dharmshala – Mcleodganj Ropeway

Locals use it to travel from Dharamshala to McLeod Ganj, while tourists use it to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Dharamshala and the mountains. At the endpoint, there’s also a cafe where you can sit by the windows and enjoy coffee with stunning views.

The ticket fare is 450/- INR for Indian citizens.

Visit the Tea Gardens and Taste Kangra Tea

Take guided tours of the tea gardens in Palampur and learn about the process of tea cultivation and production, from plucking the tea leaves to processing them in the factories. The tours also include tea-tasting sessions of Kangra tea which is known for its distinctive aroma and taste.

Morning and evening stroll in tea garden of Dharamshala

Aghanjar Mahadev

The Aghanjar Mahadev Temple, dating back 500 years is dedicated to Shiv ji. It is believed that Arjuna, one of the Pandavas from the Mahabharata, was on his way to the Swarga Lok in search of Divyastra, a divine powerful weapon to win the battle of Kurukshetra against his cousins Kauravas . During his journey, he met Lord Shiva at this sacred site. Lord Shiva was pleased with Arjuna’s prayers and blessed him with victory in the war.

The bike ride to Aghanjar Mahadev is breathtaking, with the road snaking along the edge of the mountain on one side and a gently flowing river stream on the other.

Seek Blessings from Shaktipeeth

Shaktipeeths are sacred sites dedicated to Goddess Shakti, the divine feminine energy. According to Hindu scriptures, these holy places are where parts of Sati’s body and her ornaments fell to Earth. People visit Shaktipeeths to pray, seek blessings, and feel the spiritual energy there. Each Shaktipeeth has its own special story and is a popular place for pilgrims.

Devi Darshan – Chamunda Devi, Jwala Devi, Shri Bajreshwari Devi, Baglamukhi Temple, Chintpurni Devi, and Naina Devi.

Norbulinka Monastery

Located in Sidhpur, Norbulingka Monastery is named after the Dalai Lama’s summer residence. It was established to preserve Tibetan culture, including their writings and craftsmanship. The monastery also offers various workshops, such as wood carving and painting.

Over to you, which is your favourite place in Dharamshala?