Mcleodganj- Gelungpa monastery is a great center of Tibetan culture and education. It is also a very popular place for Tibetan handicrafts, antiques and curio shops.
Budha Monastery is also situated at Mcleodganj.
ST. Jones Church- The Church of St. Jones lies in the wilderness and forested area between Mcleodganj and Forsythganj. It has a monument of Lord Elgin, a British viceroy who died in Dharmashala in 1863.
Kunalpathri- A 4000 years old rock temple of a local deity lies here. It is 3 kilometers away from Kotwali Bazars and makes a very nice walking from the town.
Dharmakot- 11 Kilometers from Dharmashala, this place is situated on the crest of a hill. This favourite picnic spot affords a panoramic view of Kangra valley and Dhauladhar ranges.
Kangra Town- 19 kilometers from Dharmashala, this small historical town is situated at the confluence of Naner and Majhi streams. Kangra is famous for its temples. Kangra is steeped in history and its ruined fort- Nagerkot stands testimony glorious past. This town was attacked by Gazni and later Muslim rulers to rob its fabulous wealth. The most notable and famous shrine of Kangra is dedicated to Brajeshwari Devi.
Shri Jwalamukhi temple- 30 Kilometers from Kangra, the famous temple of Jwalamukhi built picture squarely against a rocky cliff. This is one of the most popular temples of north India. There is no idol of any kind. A flame is considered as a manifestation of the Goddess. An eternally burning lamp in the rock sanctum is the source of divine blue flame. Moghul emperor Akbar gifted golden dome to this temple.
MASRUR (800 m): Easily accessible by road from Kangra (15 km) and Dharamsala (40 km). Fifteen richly carved, monolithic, rock temples, dating back to the 8th century, are to be found atMasrur, just 15 km south of Kangra. Located on a hillock that rises above a well watered and fertile tract of considerable natural beauty - they are framed by the snow-clad peaks of Dhauldhar mountains. These shrines similar to the rock-cut temples at Ellora and Mahabalipuram, are the only monuments of this style in northern India. With rich ornamentation executed over staggering proportions, the Masrur temples brings to mind the remark that Indian temple builders "conceived like giants and had the finish of jewelers". Images of Lord Rama, Laxmana and Sita are installed in the central shrine. |
Dharmashala is the district headquarters of Kangra district. It is a hill station lying on the Dhauladhar range around 19 kms northeast of Kangra district. Kangra is considered one of the most picturesque of the Himalayan valleys.
