The hill resort of Dalhousie lies in the Chamba Valley of Himachal Pradesh, spread out on the crests of five hills. Named after the British Governor-General of Punjab, Dalhousie is a quiet and idyllic little hilltown replete with colonial buildings and an atmosphere of immense charm. Dense forests of pine, rhododendron and oak surround Dalhousie, the river Ravi flows nearby, and cool breezes soothe. Quiet and unassuming, Dalhousie's magic works on you as you wander around Subhash Chowk and stroll down the inevitable Mall , with its shops and restaurants. Venture along the mountain paths which branch off from the Mall - many of them adorned with Buddhist rock paintings.
Walk on to the nearby waterfalls of Satdhara , the waters of which have a high mica
content and are reputed to cure a number of ailments. |
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Further on from Satdhara is Panchpula literally, `five bridges.' Another scenic walk from Dalhousie takes you to the mountain spring of Subhash Baoli , near which is the old Chamba palace known as Jhandri Ghat and the Bhuri Singh Museum . Wander across Dalhousie through Raj-era churches, go for quiet walks through pine forests, or take a bus to the nearby town of Chamba . Go trekking, shopping, bird-watching. Or just sit back and relax. Let Dalhousie work its quiet, unhurried charm on you.
Prime Attractions of Dalhousie
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.
Subhash Baoli
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.).
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.
| Getting to Dalhousie |
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The railway station closest to Dalhousie is at Pathankot, 78 km down in the plains, and with convenient links to Delhi and other major cities in the north. From Pathankot, a national highway links to Dalhousie, with regular state roadways and private buses plying on the route. Buses also come in to Dalhousie from Chamba, Dharamshala and Shimla.
| Best time to visit |
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The best time to visit Dalhousie is between March and June, before the onset of the monsoons. Winters in Dalhousie are slack season, when many hotels offer hefty discounts. It really is quite pretty in winter as well, so if you like the quiet and the cold, take advantage of this time.
| accomodation |
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Most of the good hotels in Dalhousie are along the Mall and near the Bus Stand. These are standard quality hotels - reasonably comfortable and clean. You aren't really looking for deluxe luxury here! Himachal Tourism runs a good hotel along with a restaurant. The old palace of the Chamba rulers, 2 kms from the centre of Dalhousie town, has been converted into a hotel too.
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