Hill Stations of India - a unique way of spending your
holidays in India. The picturesque
Hill stations are
popular as resorts among both Indian and foreign visitors, providing a
relaxing and salubrious retreat from the heat and dust of the plains.
Dalhousie is a beautiful
hill station in Himachal Pradesh. Established in 1854 by the
British Empire in India as a summer retreat for its troops and bureaucrats,
the town was named after Lord Dalhousie who was the British Viceroy in India
at that time.
Dalhousie
is built on and around five hills. Located on the western edge of the
Dhauladhar mountain range of the Himalayas, it is surrounded by the
beautiful scenery of snow-capped peaks. Dalhousie is situated at 6000-9000
feet above sea level. The best time to visit is in the summer, and the peak
tourist season is from May to September. Scottish and Victorian architecture
is prevalent in the bungalows and churches in the town.
Dalhousie is a gateway to the ancient Chamba Hill State, now Chamba District
of the Himachel Pradesh, India. This hill region is a repository of ancient
Hindu culture, art, temples, and handicrafts preserved under the longest
running single dynasty since the mid-6th century. Chamba is the hub of this
culture. Bharmour, the ancient capital of this kingdom, is home to Gaddi and
Gujjar tribes and has 84 ancient temples from 7th-10th century AD.
 Major
Attractions of Dalhousie |
 |
Jandhri Ghat : Around half a kilometre away
from the Subhash Baoli, Jandhri Ghat enfolds an elegant palace in the midst
of tall pine trees. Chamba's erstwhile rulers governed from here till the
advent of Lord Dalhousie. The palace houses a number of shikhar trophies.
Beside the palace, Jandhri Ghat offers heavenly spots for picnicking-gushing
streamlets in the midst of fragrant pine-scented breezes.
Khajjiar : The beautiful little plain of Khajjiar is one
of the favourite retreats for visitors. The saucer-shaped meadow, ringed by
pines, has a lake set in the middle, complete with a floating bland. A
little golden-spired temple of Khajjinag belonging to the 12th century and a
picturesque golf course complete this pretty picture. A picturesque spot
with an emerald, saucer shaped meadow set amidst a dense deodar forest, it
has a lake as it's centre with a floating island, a forest rest house, a
little temple with a golden spire and a golf course. Accommodation is
available at the tourist bungalow, Hotel Deodar and at Youth Hostel and the
PWD Rest House.
Satdhara : On the way to
Panjpulla, at an altitude of 2,036m. (6,678 ft.), these seven springs are
reputed to have great therapeutic value as they contain mica with medicinal
properties.
| Places
to Stay in Dalhousie |
|
Being one of the most famous hill stations of Himachal,
Dalhousie is well equipped with excellent accommodation facilities. One have
got the options to stay from luxury and five star hotels to small budget
hotels and tourist lodges, which offer accommodation at resonalble prices.
| Climate
of Dalhousie |
|
Dalhousie ranges between 1,525m and 2,378m high from sea
level. The maximum temperature of Dalhousie in summers is 30*C and the
winter temperature comes down to almost O*C. Heavy woollens are required in
winter and light woollens or tropicals in summer.
| How
to Get there |
|
Air : The nearest airport is at Gaggal
(Kangra), 140 km from Dalhousie.
Rail : The
nearest railhead is Pathankot, which is well connected to Amritsar, Jammu,
Delhi and Jalandhar.
Road : Onward journey
from Pathankot to Chamba and Dalhausie is by road. Punjab and Himachal
Roadways run services, as do private operators.
Destinations
