The principal town in the Kangra Valley is spread over 450mts difference of
height and surrounded on 3 sides by the Dhauladhar mountains. Pine forests
cover the hillsides. The upper town includes Mcleodganj and Forsyte Ganj and
still has a 'British Flavour'. Lord Elgin is buried in the Church of St. John
of the wilderness. It is the settlement of the Tibetans who fled from the
Chinese occupation. The Dalai Lama's residence is next to a monastery. There
are numerous valuable books and manuscripts in the library of the school of
Tibetan Studies with their Institute of Performing Arts and Handicrafts centre
nearby.
Places of Interest
Nupur (66kms) - There stands a ruined fort named by Emperor Jehangir after his
wife Noorjehan. There is a ruined Krishna Temple inside. This place is very
famous for it's 'Pashmina' shawls.
10 kms from Dharamshala is a modern ashram set up by Swami Chinmaya called
Chinmaya Tapovan.
Palampur (40 ms) - There are some beautiful walks, many along the old Kangra
shepherd trails. There is a Lord Shiva Temple 15 kms away. 35 kms away is the
Buddha town of Bir and 14 kms from here is Billing - a hang gliding paradise.
Jwalamukhi (56 kms) - an eternal blue flame emerges from a rock well. It is
the manifestation of Jwalamukhi (the fire faced one) and is the only idol in
the temple of the same name and has an ornate roof which was gilded by Emperor
Akbar.
