The hill station ofDharamshala came into existence in 1849, which was chosen as the site for
accommodating civil population that raised in the town. It originally served as
a subsidiary cantonment for the troops stationed at Kangra valley. In 1848 the
hill station was annexed by the British who remained here till the independence
of India in 1947. Due to its proximity to Delhi, Dharamshala became a popular
destination, which provided respite to the British from the hot summer months
in Delhi. Under the British, the town developed infrastructurally. Here one can
still find several structures which are reminiscent of the British era.
Dharamshala has
been a seat of spiritual learning since ages. The hill station has several
small temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and goddess Durga along with monasteries
dating back to the eighth century. The town hence holds immense reverence for
people following the Hindu and Buddhist faith. Those who long for spiritual
succor definitely make it a point to sojourn at this enchanting and tranquil
hill station. Sounds of bells in temples and prayer bells in Monasteries will
simply transport you to a different spiritual plane. The small hill station also has beautiful
churches which too add to the spirituality in the air of the region.
Dharamshala is today the seat of spiritual Buddhist leader
Dalai Lama, who have been living in exile here since the Peoples Uprising in
Tibet since 1959. His Holiness Dalai Lama came to Dharamshala in the year of
the uprising and brought along thousands of Tibetans who have made Dharamshala
there home today. Owing to this reason Dharamshala has earned the reputation of
being "The Little Lhasa in India". It is in Dharamshala that the
Tibetans have kept alive their art forms, dances, music and culture. McLeod
Ganj is today the seat of Tibet culture which the Tibetans seek to keep alive
till they do not return to their homeland.
Dharamshala is divided into two parts as Upper Dharamshala
or McLeod Ganj and lower Dharamshala which is the commercial centre of the hillstation. Dharamshala is known for the bounty of nature it enjoys. Located in
the Kangra valley, Dharamshala will offer a visitor breathtaking scenic beauty
with the presence of snow covered peaks, tea plantations and unsullied water
bodies. Rich forests of pine and Deodar will enchant you with mist adding
romance to the ambience. The winters enthrall the visitor who are here to enjoy
the snowy weather while summers provide a respite to the people who flock this
hill station in large numbers. With several shades in its kitty, Dharamshala is
one of the leading hill stations
which enjoys a high rank on the tourism map of India.
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