A pristine green expanse ringed by the mist-shrouded Himalayas and a dense cover of oak, deodar, pine and conifers, Dharamsala (Dharamshala), in Himachal Pradesh, may be a secluded natural retreat. While its pristine beauty leaves you in awe, its rugged terrain is right for adventure sports like trekking, paragliding or hiking . A mesmeric journey within the pretty toy train that meanders through picturesque scenery is another attraction.
Dharamsala is renowned because the home of the Dalai Lama , the Tibetan Buddhist leader, and may be a popular centre of Buddhism. Dotted with colourful monasteries, it offers tourists an excellent opportunity to meditate and soak within the serenity and tranquillity of the environment . a serious attraction is one among the foremost beautiful cricket stadiums within the world that has hosted variety of international and Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.
Tourists can take nature walks through verdant landscapes or enjoy a picnic spread along the banks of the lakes here. Quaint churches nestled in groves and ancient temples greet you at the most turns. the guts of Dharamsala beats in its bustling and vibrant markets that are a riot of colour and activity.
From exquisite multi-hued Tibetan Buddhist thangka paintings and miniature Buddha statues to singing bowls and Tibetan handicrafts, the bazaars have a fine selection on display. As you shop to your heart’s content, do not forget to sample authentic Tibetan delicacies like thukpa (a soupy noodle dish), momos, golden fried baby corn, mittha (local sweet prepared with rice and raisins) etc.
To get an summary of the uniquely rich culture of the town , which is usually fondly called the small Tibet, tourists can assail a museum trail or visit the famous Norbulingka Institute that’s said to be the gatekeeper of the art and culture of Lamaism . you’ll also observe local artisans practicing the art sorts of thangka painting and applique, statue-making and ornamental wood carving, wood painting, weaving and tailoring.
Dharamsala was the summer vacation retreat for Britishers and grew as a Tibetan settlement in 1959, when the Dalai Lama was allowed by the then Prime Minister of India, Nehru , to remain in McLeodganj, in Upper Dharamsala.