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INTRODUCTION

Dalhousie is a hill station full of colonial charm that holds lingering echoes of the Raj.Spread out over five hills the town is named after the 19th century British Governor General Lord Dalhousie. The town's varying altitude shades it with a variety of vegetation that includes stately grooves of pine, deodars, oaks and flowering rhododendrons. Rich in colonial architiect, the town preserves some beautiful churches. The hill resort of Dalhousie has a charm of its own. The deodars and the pines, the cottages and the villas come together for a unique summer retreat. A veneer of Tibetan culture has added a touch of the exotic to this serene resort and along roadsides are huge rocks carved in low relief, painted in Tibetan style. 

ORIENTATION

Dalhousie is located in the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas in the state of Himachal Pradesh and it offers mesmerizing views of the majestic mountains and the rice fields.

HISTORY

Dalhousie was discovered by the British governor-general Lord Dalhousie in 1854.The magnificent views of the Chamba valley and the mighty Dhauladhar range with its awe-inspiring snow covered peaks filling the entire one with its enchanting beauty attracted the British and soon it became the summer retreat for the British. Dalhousie is the gateway to the Chamba Valley.

PLACES OF INTEREST

SUBASH BAOLI

This place is named after Subash Chandra Bose,

one of the great Indian freedom fighter he used to drink water from this place during his stay in Dalhousie.

A splendid walk from the main post office square leads upto this spring (2085m) which also has some panoramic views of the snow capped mountains across.

JANDHRI GHAT

This Jandhri Ghat is very close to Baoli and it houses an elegant palace within a stately colonnade of pines.

Most of the rulers of Chamba had this as their place before the advent of Lord Dalhousie.

It was once one of the favorite places for the rulers of Chamba as this place has a spacious residence built in 1871 to be used as a summer residence by Chamba Rajas.

SATDHARA

Close to the town (2km,2036m) and on the route to the Panjpulla are the seven springs of Satdhara,

known for its medicinal properties with sparkling waters are rich in mica and minerals.

Panchpula stream is the main source of water supply to Dalhousie and Bahloon.

PANJPULLA

A pretty spot(2km) where water from natural sources fows under five bridges. It was built in memory of Ajit Singh, one of India's well-loved freedom fighters.His 'Samadhi' is located at Dalhousie's Panjphulla, a picturesque spot with a natural tank and water flowing under small bridges from which the place takes its name.

BAKROTA HILLS AND THE ROUND

Less than 5 km from the town centre, the Bakrota Hills frame a breathtaking view of the further snowscapes. The 'round' is a walking circuit around the hills, very popular with residents. One of the best thing about walking through Bakrota Hills is the unpredictable come and go of the sunshine through 'Deodar' trees.Your trip to Dalhousie is a failure if you do not take a walk through this magical paradise.

KHAJJIAR

While it is possible to go by road this exquisite glade is just a pleasant day's walk from Dalhousie.A picturesque spot with an emerald saucer shaped meadow amidst a dense forest which even has a lake with a floatng island at its centre, a temple with a golden spire by the wayside and a golf course, makes for a perfect holiday setting in the mountains.

DAINKUND

Dainkund at an altitude of 2,745 metres is situated at a distance of about 10 km. from the town and on a clear day, the peak of Dainkund offers a splendid view of the hills, with the rivers Ravi,Beas, and Chenab threading through the distance.

MALLS

There are three beautiful malls in Dalhousie located at three famous hills, upper Bakrota, Moti Tibba and Potreyn. These malls are circular roads well connected with bus stand. The malls around the Moti Tibba and Potreyn hills makes the figure of 8 and the level walk around this 8 figure is very popular among tourists as most of the hotels are located around these malls.

KALATOPE

Kalatope is situated at a distance of about 8.5 km from Dalhousie.It is very suitable for short picnics and for weekends.Kalatope accommodates a beautiful palace/chowkidar redidence stands amidst the thick forest and a forest rest house.
The place comes under a Wild life sanctuary known as Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary.
A motorable road to Kalatop Rest House leads from the Dalhousie - Khajjiar - Chamba road at the point named Lakkad Mandi.
The entry to this wildlife sanctuary is only through prior permission from the Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife, Chamba.

KHAJJIAR LAKE

Situated in the centre of the large glade of Khajjiar this lake is 16 km from Dalhousie. The glade and the lake are held sacred to Khajjinag - after whom the place is named. A temple dedicated to Khajjinag is also located there. Khajjiar is also called "Mini Switzerland" for it has water in all the seasons and is compared to a magical paradise.

CHAMERA LAKE

This is the reservoir of the Chamera dam built over the river Ravi. Chamera lake is an artificial lake came into existence as a consequence of Chamera Hydroelectric project. The Dam site is 36 kms from Dalhousie and located at a height of approximately 892 mtrs above sea level.

FAMOUS CHURCHES ST.ANDREW'S CHURCH

St. Andrew's Church is at a distance of about half a kilometer from Dalhousie's bus stand and is also known as the Church of Scotland.It was built in the year 1903 still in good condition at Baloon by Protestant Christians.The church is surrounded by brick walls.

ST.FRANCIS' CHURCH

This Catholic Church is a very prominent monument on the Subhash Chowk. This Church was built in the year 1894 from the contributions made by Army and Civil Officers and Civilians. This Church is managed and maintained by the Cathoilic Diocese of Jalandhar. St. Francis' Church on Prtrain hill is believed to have been built on the lines of a certain church in England. Beautiful glass work and intricate stone work can be seen in the Church.

ST.PATRIC'S CHURCH

This is the largest of its kind in Dalhousie with a seating capacity of 300 people and is situated in Baloon, Dalhousie Cantt., on Military Hospital road approximately 2 kms. from main bus stand.For the construction of this church a major portion of the fund was contributed by officers and ranks of the British Army and now it is under the management of the  Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar.  

ST.JOHN'S CHURCH

This church came up soon after the discovery of Dalhousie and is situated on the Gandhi Chowk approximately 2 kms. from the main bus stand of Dalhousie.

EAT OUTS 1.Preet Palace – Situated on Subhash Chowk 2.Snow Lion 3.Bengal Sweet Shop 4.Moti Mahal 5.New Metro 6.Kwality Restaurant 7.Subway American, Fast Food ACCOMODATION 1.GRAND VIEW HOTEL Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh Tel: (01899) 240760, 242823, 242194 2.Snow Valley resort LOG HUT AREA, MANALI - 175 131 (HP). Phone: 01902- 253228, 253027 3.HOTEL MONAL Garam Sarak, The Mall GPO Dalhousie, Distt. Chamba Himachal Pradesh - 176304 Phone : 0981646-3388 , 094180-18362 4.HOTEL MONGAS Gandhi Chowk, Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh - 176304 India 91-9418180000 91-94180 10927 91-1899- 240581 5.Silverton Estate Guest House Above Circuit House, Moti Tibba, Dalhousie -176304 (H.P.) 91-01899-240674 6.Alps Hoiday resort Plot No 74, Electronics Complex, Industrial Area Shoghi, Distt. Shimla. Himachal Pradesh - 173219 INDIA . +91-177- 2860601, 2860630, 2661073, 2002155 7.HOTEL ARK GPO, Satdhara Road, Dalhousie Himachal Pradesh. Phone : 01899 - 240605, 242080, 09418042080 8.Sagrika Resort, The Mall, Court Road, Dalhousie, District Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, India. +91-1899-240489 9.Lall Ji Tourist Resort Lovers Lane nr Bus Stand, Dalhousie, India

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SHOPPING

Being close to the Chamba valley Dalhousie is a shoppers' paradise. Specialties of the hill resort include shawls, chappals, cane baskets, woolens and dolls.

HOW TO REACH

BY AIR

The nearest airport is at Gaggal (Kangra) 180 km from Chamba and 140 km from Dalhousie. Vayudoot operates its flights on the Delhi - Dharamsala sector.    BY RAIL Chamba town is 122 km from Pathankot, the nearest broad gauge rail head which is linked by direct trains to Amritsar, Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta.

BY ROAD

Bharmaur is 65 km from Chamba. By road Dalhousie is 80 km from Pathankot. Both Dalhousie and Chamba are well connected with places in and outside the state.