Dalhousie (2036 m) is a hill station full of colonial charm
that holds lingering echoes of the Raj. Spread out over the
five hills (Kathlog, Potreys, Tehra, Bakrota and Balun) the
town is named after the 19th century British Governor
General Lord Dalhousie. It was popular with the British
Army personnel in 1860's. The town’s varying altitude shades
it with a variety of vegetation that includes stately
grooves of pines, deodars, oaks and flowering rhododendrons.
Rich in colonial architecture, the town preserves some
beautiful churches. St. John church is the oldest one built
in 1863, St. Francis was built in 1894, St. Andrew in 1903
and St. Patric in 1909.
View of Panchpula, Dalhousie
There
are also magnificent views of Chamba valley and the mighty
Dhauladhar range with its awe-inspiring snow covered peaks
filling an entire horizon. By road Dalhousie is about 550 km
from Delhi, 52 km from Chamba via Banikhet and 43 km via
Khajjiar and the nearest railhead at Pathankot is 85 km
away.
In & around Dalhousie the visitable places are:
Subash Baoli: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose spent a large portion of 1937
contemplating here. A nice secluded place.
Panjpulla: It
means five bridges. It is a picturesque spot with water
flowing under the five small bridges. A samadhi of Sardar
Ajit Singh, uncle of Bhagat Singh, adds to its importance. A
small fresh water spring Satdhara is close
by.
Bakrota hills:
Visit for a brisk walk round the hills and have a view of
snow clad peaks. It is 5 km from Dalhousie.
Kalatope: It
is a picnic spot and a wild life sanctuary, 10 km from
Dalhousie and offers a fine view of the countryside.
Bara Pathar: It is 4 km from Dalhousie enroute Kalatope. In village Ahla
here, there is a temple of Bhulwani Mata.
Dainkund: It
is 10 km from Dalhousie. On a clear day this tall peak (2745
m) affords a birds eye-view of the hills, verdant valleys
and the Beas, Ravi and Chenab rivers threading their silvery
passage down to the plains. |
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Isolated by high mountain ranges, the valley of Chamba is
noted for the magnificence of its scenery. The British
Governor General, Lord Dalhousie, visiting this area around
the middle of the 19th century for a quiet retreat, came
upon a charming spot on a ridge overlooking the plains. This
was to become the attractive little hill town that was named
after him.
Set
amidst thickly wooded hills, clothed in deodar and pine,
Dalhousie has marvellous forest trails and picnic spots with
splendid vistas over the Chamba Valley. A touch of the "Raj"
still lingers in the little unspoilt town.
AROUND DALHOUSIE
Subhash Baoli (2,085 m)
Not far from the G.P.O. Square is the spring at Subhash
Baoli with panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains.
(1.6 km)
Satdhara (2,036 m)
Sparkling springs close to town, rich in mica and other
minerals, are noted for their medicinal properties.
Panjpulla
Beyond Sathara is another pretty spot where the water from a
natural tank flows under five little bridges. (2 km)
Bakrota Hills (2,085 m)
The Bakrota Mall, a popular walking circuit around these
hills has a spectacular view of the mountains.
Kalatope (2,440 m)
An ideal weekend retreat with forest rest houses and
beautiful spots for picnics, in a little wildlife sanctuary.
(8.5 km)
Bara Pather
Enroute to Kalatope is the temple of Bhulwani Matha, in the
village of Ahla. (4 km)
Dhainkund (2,745 m)
The high peak of Dhainkund offers a bird's-eye view of the
verdant valleys of the Beas, Chenab and Ravi rivers. (10 km)
Khajjiar (1,851 m)
While it is possible to go by road, Khajjiar is just a
pleasant one day walk from Dalhousie. An emerald, saucer
shaped meadow at Khajjiar, surrounded by dense deodar
forests, has a lake at its centre with a floating island, a
forest rest house, a little temple with a golden spire and a
golf course. (22 km)
Transportation
Air
The nearest airport is Kangra
( Gaggal , 12 Km)
Rail
The nearest narrow gauge railhead is Kangra (18 Km). The
nearest broad gauge station Pathankot, (90 Km), is linked to
major towns.
Road
Well connected by road. Some distances are as follows: Delhi
514 Km, Chandigarh 239 Km, Kulllu 214 Km, Shimla 332 Km,
Chamba 192 Km. |
