This
scorching summer was taking a toll on me and my office buddies. So,
we decided to head for Dharamshala. It is not that Dharamshala is
famous for it is the house of his holiness Dalai Lama but the
picturesque mountains, the snow covered pine trees, sparkling
waterfalls, temples, monasteries, all make Dharamshala a must visit.
The team at Himalaya Cab Dharamshala was our buddy in this
journey and we must admit they did a wonderful job coming up with an
exciting itinerary which was a perfect combination of fun, adventure
and rejuvenation and relaxation. You can hire Dharamshala taxi services
at affordable rates by booking online hassle free.
We began our journey from the
Tsuglagkhang Complex
A religious centre that was built
when his Holiness the Dalai Lama visited India for the first time in
1959. It has Dalai Lama’s abode and the Namgyal monastery, an
in-house bookstore, library. It was the Namgyal monastery where we
found solace and peace with ourselves. House to almost 200 monks,
this is one of the biggest Tibetan temple outside the periphery of
Tibet. The Tibetan style architecture especially the prayer wheels
enchants the visitors with its soulful ambience and visual appeal.
Taxi service in Dharamshala can be booked online anytime
anywhere at affordable rates.
Today, this complex houses Tibetan
dance performances and public and private session of Dalai Lama. One
can visit the complex from 6 AM in the morning to 7 PM in the evening
with free entry for all.
Best Time to visit - all the
year through
Kareri Dal Lake
There is
certain calmness all around in Dharamshala. It was the Kareri Dal
lake which spell bound us with its beauty which gets further uplift
by the plush green deodar trees that surround the lake. It also
serves as a base camp for trekkers going for expedition on hills
nearby. You can enjoy boating, a gala picnic with friends and family
and for some spiritual gains, do visit the Kali- Shiva temple
situated on the banks of the lake.
Best time to visit- summer
months
Bhagsunag Temple and Waterfalls
The temple is very ancient and pilgrims from all parts of the
country flock the premises all through the year to seek blessings of
Lord Shiva. If you plan a tour in September, you can enjoy the annual
fair. When we moved upslope from the temple, we were welcomed by the
milky waterfalls – the Bhagsunag waterfalls. The beauty of the
sparkling cascade waterfalls is the most enchanting during the
monsoons. A dip in the water refreshes up your mind and rejuvenates
your soul. After a bath, we enjoyed some munchies sitting besides the
waterfalls from a nearby restaurant.
Himalaya Cab should
get full marks for coming up with such an organised itinerary, we
felt that as if we belong to Dharamshala and know about every nook
and corner of the place. we booked online and got a prompt response.
The tempo traveller we travelled by was hygienically maintained and
the seats were comfortable with proper leg spacing.
Best time to visit: Monsoon
Gyuto Monastery
If you
want to learn some Tantric mantras and cast some magic spell on your
friends or enemies, head to the Gyuto Monastery. Well jokes’ apart,
this monastery is home to Karmapa – the head of Kagyu Tibetan
Buddhism and is a famous centre to enhance one’s knowledge on
Buddhism, Tantric meditation and tantric rituals. This monastery is
an ode to the soldiers who laid their lives fighting for the freedom
of Tibet.
Do not miss on the Karmapa’s
speech on every Wednesday and Saturday. This monastery is open from 8
AM to 11PM.
Kangra Fort and Museum
As
we were visiting beautiful places in Dharamshala, a curiosity to its
rich heritage was but obvious. So, we headed to the Kangra Fort to
take a sneak peek into the Himachal culture and tradition. It is one
of the oldest forts in India and the largest in the Himalayas; it was
home to the rulers of Kangra – the Katoch dynasty. Though it today
lies in ruins, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Manjhi and the
Banganga river.
Another interesting spot that one
cannot and should not miss is the Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch Museum
which is a living showcase of Kangra’s history, art and culture. In
the Kangra art museum you can find the ethos of Kangra valley
preserved delicately through paintings, statues, textile and fabrics,
utensils, monuments, weapons and armours. Do not miss on the rare
collection of coins, pottery and tribal ornaments.
Best time to visit: All
through the year
Masroor Rock Cut Temple
Well,
this is where the history buffs would like to spend most of their
time after the monasteries and other Buddhist sculptures. 15
Monolithic temples showcasing amalgamation of Indo Aryan architecture
awaits to be explored by the art admirers, historians, painters, solo
travellers and nature lovers. Intricate carvings and superb detailing
on the temple walls is just awesome. This temple stands a strong
testimony to the rich and glorious history of Indian art and
architecture.
All through our trip, our driver
from
Himalaya Cab Dharamshala was our guide and he made sure that
we feel rejuvenated and relaxed all throughout. It was a great trip
and well, we are hoping for some more exciting trips with
Himalaya Cab Dharamshala in the near future too.
