Best time to visit
Dharamshala is a beautiful alpine town in Himachal Pradesh. Come here with a group of friends or by yourself throughout the summer. The months of February through June are said to be the finest for visiting Dharamshala and capturing the most of the city! The greatest locations to visit there are listed below.
Tsuglagkhang Complex :
The Tsuglagkhang Complex is a religious complex and one of Dharamshala’s most significant tourist attractions. It was constructed during His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s first visit to India in 1959. The complex, which includes the Dalai Lama’s residence and monastery, is one of the most significant locations to visit in Dharamshala. The Dalai Lama’s public and private sessions are now held at this facility.
Kareri Dal Lake:
The lake is located at a height of 1775 metres, and its tranquilly and attractiveness draw many visitors. It also serves as a base camp for hikers heading to surrounding hills for adventures. Kareri Dal Lake, which covers 1 square kilometre, is named after Kashmir’s magnificent equivalent. It is one of the most popular locations to visit in Dharamshala due to its enthralling beauty and tranquil atmosphere. The lake is located at a height of 1775 metres, and its tranquilly and attractiveness draw many visitors. It also serves as a base camp for hikers heading to surrounding hills for adventures.
Location: Kangra district
Don’t miss Boating, picnic, and the Kali-Shiva temple located on the banks. You may be lucky to experience the gala annual fair held there while you’re sightseeing in Dharamshala.
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
Entry fee: No entry fee
Bhagsunag temple
The Bhagsunag temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the oldest ancient temples in Dharamshala and one of the most visited tourist attractions. Thousands of pilgrims visit this temple, which is situated among towering hills and meandering pathways, every year. The surrounding grandeur of this temple has made it one of Dharamshala’s most captivating tourist attractions.
Location: Palampur- Dharamshala Rd, Bhagsu Nag, McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh 176216
Don’t miss A holy dip in the freshwater man-made pool. If you happen to be there in September, do not miss the annual fair held in the Bhagsunag Temple.
Opening hours: 6 am to 7 pm
Entry fee: None
Namgyal Monastery
Namgyal Monastery in McLeodganj is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Dharamshala since it is a significant learning centre. The renowned monastery is the largest Tibetan temple outside of Tibet’s geographical boundaries, with almost 200 monks. The prayer wheels, décor, Tibetan-style building, and general colour palette are all aesthetically attractive and hypnotic.
Hours of operation: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Entry is free for everyone
Location: McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219
Opening hours: The monastery is open from 6 am to 7 pm and the café is open from 10 am till 10 pm, daily
Entry fee: No cost
Don’t miss: The prayer room and meditation sessions of monks
Gyuto Monastery
One of the finest things to do in Dharamshala visits this magnificent monastery. The Karmapa, the Head of Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism, lives in Gyuto Monastery. Because of its study on Buddhist philosophy, Tantric rites, and Tantric meditation is a famous tourist attraction in Dharamshala. This well-known monastery was erected in honour of troops who gave their lives in the Tiananmen Square uprising.
Opening hours: 8 am to 11 pm
Location: Sidhbari, Himachal Pradesh 176053
Don’t miss: The Image of Sakyamuni Buddha. Also, Karmapa’s speech every Wednesday and Saturday is not to be missed.
Entry fee: None
Bhagsunag Waterfalls
During the monsoon, the dazzling waterfall of milky white water is especially lovely. Its awe-inspiring natural surroundings make it one of the greatest spots to visit among the many Dharamshala tourist attractions. It is one of the most well-known of Dharmashala’s tourist attractions. During the monsoon, the dazzling waterfall of milky white water is especially lovely. Bhagsunag Falls in McLeodganj is also a famous trekking route and one of Dharamshala’s most beautiful sights.
Location: Temple, near Bhagsunag, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176215
Don’t miss: The mesmerizing natural beauty which surrounds the falls. Take a dip in the chilled water and refresh your mind and soul. You can enjoy a small picnic near the torrent and try some munchies from the café located next to it.
Opening hours: NA
Entry fee: None
Kangra Fort
Kangra Fort, one of Dharamshala’s most renowned tourist attractions, offers awe-inspiring history and magnificent heritage. It is a historically significant building that dates back to the 4th century BC. This regal example of construction was formerly the residence of the Royal family of Kangra – Katoch Dynasty. It is one of India’s oldest forts and the biggest fort in the Himalayas.
Location: Old Kangra, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh 176001
Entry fee: INR 150 per person for Indians and INR 300 per person for foreigners.
Don’t miss: The jaw-dropping view of Manjhi and Banganga River and Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch Museum. The complex even houses many ancient temples.
Opening hours: 9 am to 6 pm
The Masroor temple:
The Masroor temple is famous for its ancient rock-cut temples dating back to the eighth century AD. This is one of Dharamshala’s newest and most popular tourist attractions. 15 monolithic temples are representing various tales from famous Indian epics in Indo-Aryan style architecture.
History buffs, art lovers, painters, solitary travellers, and environment lovers go to Masroor, one of Dharamshala’s most popular tourist destinations. The sculptures on the temples are beautiful and quite intricate. They transform the area into a magnificent showcase of Indian art and, of course, one of the most popular Dharamshala attractions.
Location: Masroor, Lahalpur, Himachal Pradesh 176026
Don’t miss: Carvings depicting scenes from the Ramayana displaying Ram, Lakshman, and Sita
Opening hours: 9 AM – 7 PM
Entry fee: None
Indrahar Pass
Indrahar Pass, one of the best trekking paths in Himachal Pradesh, is another destination to visit in Dharamshala. In the Dhauladhar Ranges, this pass is located at the height of 4,500 feet above sea level. Trekking at Indrahar Pass and Triund Hill attracts visitors from all over the world.
Location: Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas
Don’t Miss: Trekking experience
fee: INR 8000 approx for the trek
Jwala Devi temple
The Jwala Devi temple in Kangra, also known as one of the greatest locations to visit in Dharamshala, attracts visitors from all over the nation. So if you’re in Dharamshala for a vacation, don’t forget to pay a visit to the temple. The temple is 56 kilometres from Dharamshala and has frequent transportation.
Location: Shaktinagar, Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh
Opening hours: Summer: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM and Winter: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Don’t miss: Aarti
Entry fee: No entry fee
The tea garden is a must-see tourist attraction in Dharamshala. It is located in the Kangra Valley and is considered India’s smallest tea area. This tea plantation, which is well-organized and spread out over a large area, is recognised for producing high-quality tea, purchased in numerous shops around Dharamshala and Mcleodganj.
Location: Distt. Village Narghota Near BSNL office, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176215
Don’t miss: The tea tasting session
Opening hours: 9 AM – 5 PM
Entry fee: INR 300 (starting price)
If you’re searching for a charming town near Dharamshala, you should visit Dharamkot, located in the Kangra Valley. Because it has less foot traffic and is surrounded by vegetation, it is one of the finest places to stay. The greatest time to visit this site is in April and May if you want to enjoy the finest experience.
Location: Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
Don’t miss: Explore the cafes and savour dishes with a view.
Opening hours: NA
Entry fee: NA
Hanuman ka Tibba:
Exploring Hanuman ka Tibba, the tallest peak in the Dhauladhar mountains is an essential part of sightseeing in Dharamshala. You may not be aware that Hanuman ka Tibba is located at the height of 19,000 feet. All adventure enthusiasts go to this location for activities like mountaineering, hiking, and more.
Location: Trail to Triund Hill, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219
Don’t miss: Watch a sunset from the ranges.
Opening hours: 6 am – 8 pm
Entry fee: None
Lahesh Caves
This is one of Dharamshala’s lesser-known tourist attractions, primarily visited by adventurers. The Lahesh caverns, which are located at an elevation of 11,482 feet above sea level, provide an excellent hiking opportunity. These caverns are a must-see for anybody looking for an out-of-this-world experience. Hilly terrains and coniferous woods surround them, adding to the charm of this little town.
Location: Trail to Lahesh Caves, Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh 176219
Don’t miss: Explore viewpoints while trekking.
Opening hours: Open 24X7
Entry fee: None
You now have a good notion of what to see and do in Dharamshala and Mcleodganj. So, to get around the hot heat, block your leaves and start planning a fantastic summer trip to this small and lovely hill station as soon as possible.
