Dalhousie Tourism | Dalhousie Hill Stations | Tourist Places Dalhousie | Places to Visit in Dalhousie

Dalhousie is a hill station and popular tourist spot in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, India. Established in 1854 by the British Empire in India as a summer retreat for its troops and bureaucrats, the town was named after Lord Dalhousie who was the British Viceroy in India at that time. In western Himachal Pradesh, the hill station of Dalhousie is full of old world charm and holds lingering echos of the Raj era. It covers an area of 14 sq. km. and is built on five hills - Kathlog, Patreyn, Tehra, Bakrota and Balun. It is named after the British governor General of the 19th century, Lord Dalhousie. The town's average height is 2036 m, and is surrounded by varied vegetation - pines, deodars, oaks and flowering rhododendron. Dalhousie has charming colonial architecture, including some beautiful churches. Its location presents panoramic views of the plains and like a long silver line, the river Ravi twists and turns below Dalhousie. The spectacular snow-covered Dhauladhar mountains are also visible form this enchanting town.

Fast fact sheet of Dalhousie Tourism:

Coordinates:

32°32′N 75°59′E

Significance:

Immense Trekking Opportunities

Population:

7,419 (2001)

Elevation:

1,954 metres (6,411 ft)

Best Time to Visit in Dalhousie Hill Stations:

Mid-May To Mid-October

Location of Dalhousie:

Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, India

Climate of Dalhousie Himachal Pradesh:

In winter, the temperature can drop to freezing point when heavy woolens are required. The summer temperature are mild and light woolens / cottons are recommended.

Temperature of Dalhousie Himachal Pradesh:

The maximum temperature of Dalhousie in summers is 30*C and the winter temperature comes down to almost O*C.

Points of Interest at Dalhousie Hill Station:

Dalhousie has many places to visit. A favorite spot for tourists is the area near Alla. It is a potato field and it offers mesmerizing scenic landscape. Another popular spot is the area of Karelanu. It is famous for its precious water which healed a great leader, Subhash Chandra Bose. He was suffering from tuberculosis and he regularly drank the water from the natural spring in Karelanu and was healed.

Weather Forecast of Dalhousie Tourism:

View Detailed 9 Day Weather Forecasts for Dalhousie, webcams, weather maps & more at Weather-Forecast.com

How to Reach Dalhousie Tourism Himachal Pradesh:

By Air:

The nearest airport is at Gaggal (Kangra), 140-km from Dalhousie.

By Rail:

The nearest railhead is Pathankot, which is well connected to Amritsar, Jammu, Delhi and Jalandhar.

By Road:

Onward journey from Pathankot to Chamba and Dalhausie is by road. Punjab and Himachal Roadways run services, as do private operators.

Major Attraction in Dalhousie Tourism:

Dainkund Peak
Khajjiar
Bakrota Hills
Village Lohali

Eight Road Junction in Dalhousie Tourism:

At Gandhi Chowk in Dalhousie is a Road junction of eight roads. These roads lead to:
1) Subhash Chowk
2) Panchpula
3) Upper Bakrota
4) Diankund
5) Banikhet via Busstand
6) Khajjiar
7) Sadar Bazar
8) Motitibba

Important Areas of Dalhousie Hill Station:

Gandhi Chowk
Diankund
Bakrota Hills
Dalhousie Cantonment
Sadar Bazar
Tibetan Market
Panchpula

Places to Visit in Dalhousie Hill Station Himachal Pradesh:

Churches:

There are four beautiful churches in Dalhousie. These are St. Andrew's Church and St. Patrick's Church at Balun, St. Francis church at Subhash Chowk and St.John's Church at Gandhi Chowk.

Subhash Baoli:

It was at this enchanting spot surrounded by majestic trees, that Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose spent time in 1937, contemplating and meditating. Commanding a view of the snowcapped mountains, 1.6-km away from the G.P.O. (check spelling) Square, the spring of Subhash Baoli is situated at an altitude of 2,085 metres (6,678 ft.).

Panchpulla:

This is a picturesque spot where a stream feed a series of pools. A monument has been built here in memory of the freedom fighter, Sardar Ajit Singh.

Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary:

This wild life sanctuary is a home to the 'ghoral' and Himalayan black bear.

Jandhri Ghat:

Around half a kilometre away from the Subhash Baoli, Jandhri Ghat enfolds an elegant palace in the midst of tall pine trees. Chamba's erstwhile rulers governed from here till the advent of Lord Dalhousie. The palace houses a number of shikhar trophies.

Beside the palace, Jandhri Ghat offers heavenly spots for picnicking-gushing streamlets in the midst of fragrant pine-scented breezes. Bakrota Hills and the 'Round' (2085m): Less than 5 km from the town centre, the Bakrota Hills frame a breathtaking view of the further snow-clad peaks. The 'round' is a walling circuit around the hill, very popular with residents.

Satdhara:

On the way to Panjpulla, at an altitude of 2,036m. (6,678 ft.), these seven springs are reputed to have great therapeutic value as they contain mica with medicinal properties.

The Catholic Church of St. Francis:

Dalhousie is another hill station with a number of old churches. The Church near the G.P.O looks untouched by time. The Catholic Church of St.Francis, built in 1894.

Bara Pathar:

Set amidst thick forest is the small temple of Bhulwani Mata, in the village of Ahla, on the way to Kalatope. A fair is celebrated in July to venerate the goddess. It is 4 km away from the town.

Dainkund:

At an altitude of 2,745 m and 10 km from the town, this tall peak outside town affords a bird's-eye view on a clear day, of the hills, valleys and the river Beas, Ravi and the Chenab threading their silvery way down to the plains.

Weather of Dalhousie Tourism Himachal Pradesh:

Dalhousie experiences winter-like cold climate throughout the year. Heavy rain with thunder showers are experienced during the period from June to September. In May–July it is usually warm in the morning and afternoon but gets cold early in the evening and quite cold at night. The weather becomes very cold during winter and if it rains. Dalhousie also experiences snow during the peak of winter period in December and January. Being a hill station, Dalhousie is famous for its salubrious climate.

History of Dalhousie Hill Station:

Dalhousie is a hill station in Himachal Pradesh. Established in 1854 by the British Empire in India as a summer retreat for its troops and bureaucrats.

It is built on and around five hills. Located on the western edge of the Dhauladhar mountain range of the Himalayas, it is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Dalhousie is situated between 6,000 and 9,000 feet (2,700 m) above sea level. The best time to visit is in the summer, and the peak tourist season is from May to September. Scottish and Victorian architecture is prevalent in the bungalows and churches in the town.

Dalhousie is a gateway to the ancient Chamba Hill State, now Chamba District of the state of himachal pradesh of India. This hill region is a repository of ancient Hindu culture, art, temples, and handicrafts preserved under the longest-running single dynasty since the mid-6th century. Chamba is the hub of this culture. Bharmour, the ancient capital of this kingdom, is home to the Gaddi and Gujjar tribes and has 84 ancient temples dating from the 7th–10th century AD.

Timeline:

1849 Punjab was annexed to the British Raj after the Second Anglo-Sikh War.
1850 Lt. Col. Napier, Chief Engineer of Punjab was enchanted by the scenic spot in the Chamba state and visualized the project.
1851 Selection of the site was finalized. A spot where the Dainkund Ridge, at the western edge of the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas, breaks into spurs was carved out. Dr. Clemenger of the 49th Native Infantry was in charge of the site development.
1853 Thirteen square miles of land comprising the five hills Kathalagli, Potrein, Terah (Moti Tibba), Bakrota, and Bhangora were acquired by the Government of India from the Raja of the Chamba state. In return, the annual tribute that the Chamba state paid to the British Government was reduced by 2000 rupees. The total tribute at that time was 12,000 rupees per year.
1854 Sir Donald McLeod recommended that the estate be named after Lord Dalhousie, the viceroy of India at that time. Convalescent Depot was constructed at Kathalag. It was made part of the Kangra District in the Punjab state.
1860 Three level malls around Bakrota, Terah, and Potrein hills were laid down. The roads that connect these malls are still the main arteries of the city today.
1863 St. John's church was built at the G.P.O. (Now known as Gandhi Chowk) Reverend John H. Pratt was instrumental in raising money from the Christian community.
1873 Rabindranath Tagore spends time in Dalhousie.
1884 Rudyard Kipling visited Dalhousie.
1894 The St. Francis Church was built at Charing Cross (now known as Subash Chowk)
1903 St. Andrew's Church (AKA The Church of Scotland) was built at Dalhousie Cantt.
1909 St. Patrick's Church was built near the military hospital at Dalhousie Cantt.
1910 Convent of the Sacred Heart, a residential school for girls, was started under the Archdiocese of Lahore.
1915 Sadar Bazar, the main market of Dalhousie, was burnt down by a ferocious fire. The new Sadar Bazar buildings came up, and stone was used instead of wood. These 3-4 storey stone houses with slop?
1920 Electricity was first distributed. A large generator using diesel was built to bring the electricity to the elite town.
1920s-1947 Dalhousie was at its peak as a tourist destination.
1954 Pt. Nehru, then prime minister of India, presided over the centennial celebrations of Dalhousie. He initiated promotion of tourism with the call Let us go to the Himalayas.
1959 Tibet was taken over by China. Dalhousie was picked to host several thousand Tibetan refugees at the insistence of Pt. Nehru. Most of them have left the town. However, they have left their influence in the form of road-side rock sculptures and a Tibetan market near the GPO.
1962 Dalai Lama visited Dalhousie. He visited again in 1988.
1966 During Reorganisation of States, Dalhousie was transferred to the Himachal Pradesh from Punjab.
1990s Dalhousie becomes a favorite shooting spot of Bollywood. Many Hindi films, including 1942: A Love Story, were filmed here.