Named after an earl during British Raj, Governor Dalhousie, Dalhousie nestles in the glens and ravines of Chamba District. The hill site was regarded as the summer retreat for the governor as the place’s conducive climate lured the British aristocrat. Nature, continuing the pleasantness of climate at the town now attracts many tourists from the country and even from the other parts of the world who visit the hill station to spend their vacations.
Like other hill stations of Himachal Pradesh, Dalhousie, too, houses a plethora of natural beauty. Mystical forests of pine and deodar trees surround the town surging the charm of the place. As the legend goes, our erstwhile freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was captivated by the serenity and elegance of the town that he stayed here for few months in the year 1937.
Looking at the geography of the hill station, the town expands itself on the foothills of 5 mountain ranges of the great Himalayas, Kathlog, Potreyn, Terah, Bakrota and Bhangora. Showcasing the hangover of British influence various churches and facades are standing tall in and near town attracts tourists coming to this Himachal settlement.
This town is capable enough to cast a spell on you with its ethereal beauty. That is why it comes on top of the list of places to be visited in Himachal Pradesh.
There are many places in the town and in its vicinity, which attracts tourists due to various factors depending on the likability and interest of a person. Some are peace seekers, like to soak in the vibes of the natural abundance, while others may want to explore the British connections and admire the artifacts left by colonial influence, and there could be another set of people who are looking for adventures in the mountains, usually are gliders, motorbikers or peregrinators who hike the mountains of Chamba district. Thankfully, Dalhousie suffices all needs.
A few of the places to see on a Dalhousie vacation are:
It is spring bearing the name as of our freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose, who had come to Dalhousie in 1937 for few months. It is believed that Netaji used to come at the spring to take a dip and meditate near it. The spring is located near Gandhi Chowk in Dalhousie.
Both of the churches are more than a century old emanates the whiff of the British Era. Windows of the chapels are decorated with exclusive tainted glass paintings depicting the art of the Victorians. Both of the churches are open all days of the week, can be visited between 7 am and 5 pm.
A prominent feature of the St. John’s Church that beguiles many visitors, especially photographers, here is its collection of exclusive books on photography.
This natural bio-diverse reserve got its name so due to different-sized rocks scattered across the rivulets passing through it. People usually come here to get appeased by the natural profusion of flora, which provides clean air and beautifies the environs. Some take the advantage of the place and enjoy a picnic with family and friends here. To have more fun, one can also enthrall himself by crossing the water stream via a zip-line.
Switzerland is usually everyone’s dream to visit. Need not to hanker more as India has its replica in Dalhousie. Khajjar has been named as mini-Switzerland due to its familiarity with the original one. This quaint and beautiful hamlet is around 20 km from Dalhousie town, which makes you feel like coming to Europe. The reason for it is the pastures sprawled along miles at the village with houses blotched here and there at some distance from one another, just like the real Switzerland.
A few peripatetic travelers amble through the forest to reach Khajjar. The trek to Khajjar is quite spellbinding as traversing through the dense woodland having pine, deodar and rhododendron trees refresh the body and mind.
Another interesting way to traverse the hamlet, after reaching it, is by sitting on a pony’s back. A guide walks along with you to control the equine while the village exploration.