Destination Features

"I played all over in the marvels of the wonder world, but here, with my two eyes, I saw the splendors of the Paradise."

- Rabindra Nath Tagore, Dalhousie,1873

Dalhousie, nestling in the outer slopes of Dhaulandhar range, is an excellence hill station. It is known for its bracing climate and picturesque scenery.

Standing at the foot of the spectacular Dhaula Dhar range of the Himalayas, sprawled over five hills – Kathlog, Portrevn, Moti Tibba, Bakrota and Balun, Dalhousie is noted for the magnificence of its scenery, Dalhousie was, in the British era, a sort of " second string" hill station mainly used by people who lived in Lahore. It was acquired from the Raja of Chamba by the British and was named after Lord Dalhousie, then viceroy of India, by David McLeod.

With its dense forest, old British houses and thriving Tibetan community, Dalhousie is a favorite destination among the tourists. Midway along Garam Sadak, between Gandhi and Subhash Chowks, you will pass brightly painted low relief pictures of Tibetan deities, including Padmasambhava and Avlokiteshwar, as well as Tibetan script bearing the sacred mantra "OM MANI PADMI HUM".

Close to Gandhi Chowk is a rock painting of Tara Devi and a little shrine has been constructed here. There is a small Tibetan market just about the bus stand.

History of Dalhousie
Nestled on the spur at the western end of Dhauladhar, Dalhousie in its present shape was founded in 1850’s when the British acquired five hills from the ruler of the Chamba State for developing the area as a sanatorium. The project originated with Lt. Col. Napier, then Chief Engineer of Punjab; (‘afterwards Lord Napier of Magdala').

In 1851 a spot where the Dayan Kund Ridge breaks in to spurs was selected for the project and Kathalagh was identified for the construction of Convalescent Depot. Dr. Clemenger of the 49th Native infantry was deputed to make necessary observations on the site. In 1853 the five hills of Kathalagh, Potreyn, Terah (now called Moti Tibba by the locals), Bakrota and Bhangora were acquired by the Govt. of India from his Highness the Raja of Chamba who was allowed a reeducation of Rs. 2000 from the annual tribute of Rs. 12,000 paid by him. Since the estate was founded in the time of Lord Dalhousie the sanatorium was recommended to be called "Dalhousie" by Sir Donald McLeod.

In the year 1866 more land was required in Bahloon and Bakloh hills for the construction of barracks of the Convalescent Depot and as Cantonment for the 4th Gorkhas respectively. For these two portions of the Chamba State, a further deduction of Rs. 5000 a year was made from the tribute payable by the Chamba Raja. With the expansion of the estate which started during the British raj, the whole area has come to be known as Dalhousie. After acquisition in 1850s Dalhousie was a made a part of Kangra district of Punjab state. Later it was transferred to the Gurdaspur district in August 1861.

Only after recorganisation of the states, Dalhousie became a part of Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh on Ist Nov., 1966.

General Information on Dalhousie
Area: 13 sq. km.
Altitude: 2036 metres
Temperature (ºC): Summer: Max 23.5, Min 15.5;
winter: Max 10, Min 1
Clothing: Summer - Light woolens, winter - Heavy woolens
Languages Spoken: Pahari (Local Dialect), Hindi, English
Travel Agencies: Span Tours and Travels, Trek ‘n’ Travels
Banks: Punjab National Bank is the only bank that exchanges travelers’ cheques

Best Season to visit Dalhousie: April to November.

Places of interest in Dalhousie and excursions
Panchpulla(2 kms); Subhash Baoli & Jandri Ghat (1.6 kms); The Round (4.8 kms); Dainkund (10 kms); Khajjiar (22 kms); Kalatope Wild Life Sanctuary; Kugti Wild Life Sanctuary (35 kms on foot); Tundah Wild Life Sanctuary (45 kms).

Punjpula & Satdhara: Panjpulla is situated at a distance of 2 km from the G.P.O. Square and is an excellent picnic spot. Here the water of natural tank flows under five little bridges (hence the name of this place 'Panjpulla'). There is Samadhi of Shahid Ajit Singh who died on August 15, 1947 in Dalhousie when his dream of independence was achieved. He was the uncle of Shahid Bhagat Singh. In Satdhara seven sparkling springs flows at the height of 2030 meters These seven springs contains mica and with medicinal properties.

Subhash Baoli: This perennial spring has been named after Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, came to Dalhousie in 1937 during health break down. He stayed in Dalhousie for 7 months and visited the spring every day in order to drink its water. The health giving invigorating water of the spring restored Netaji’s health and helped him to become strong bearer of India’s struggle for freedom. On gets panoramic views of the snow capped mountains around from here.

Kalatope Wild Life Sanctuary: Is 8.5 kms from Gandhi Chowk. The sanctuary is home to a variety of species including Black Bear and Barking Deer (Kakar) as well as an abundant bird life. there is a check point at Lakar Mandi on the perimeter of the Sanctuary,which has fine mountain views. Its possible to get a taxi over here or walk three kms into the sanctuary. To take a vehicle into the sanctuary, you require a permit from the District Forest Officer in Chamba. From April to November Lakkar mandi is home to Itinerant group of villagers who originally hail from Mandi in the Kangra Valley. Their main source of income is derived from preparing Charcoal which they sell to the hotels in Dalhousie.

Dian Kund:  an excursion from Dalhousie of 10kms by road takes you to Dian Kund. It is 5 kms from Lakkar Mandi. From here one can trek of about 2kms uphill to the Pahalwani Devi Temple, a small temple built by the locals on the grassy hilltops all covered with snow during the winters. One can also view the snow-capped peaks of the Pir Panjal ranges from here on a clear sunny day.

Khajjiar:  popularly known as the ‘mini Switzerland of India’. This grassy meadow is 22kmsfrom Dalhousie towards Chamba and one can get there by bus (1.5 hrs) or on foot (a day’s walk). Over one km long and one km wide, Deodar and Cedar trees ring it with a pond in the middle. The 12^th century Khajinag Temple has fine woodcarving on the cornices and some crude carvings of the five Pandavs, which were installed in the temple  by the Raja of Chamba in the 16^th century.     

Things to do in Dalhousie
One can do trek to Dalhousie to Kalatop. Can stay in Kalatop Bungalow and then can trek from Kalatop to Chamba via Khajjiar. This is a beautiful trek in winter after sufficient snowfall. There will be less vehicle on the road and Kalatop to Khajjiar if snow is less then follow the forest route (if your team is large), otherwise by road. Normally there will be no vehicle on the road from Kalatop to Khajjiar. If you are lucky then you can see pugmark of leopard and the Himalayan Bear.

I stayed at Mehar's Hotel, Dalhousie (The Mall, Near Gandhi Chowk, Ph: 01899-242179). The hotel offers great views and is set in a nice location.
Read my review of the hotel Mehar Dalhousie in Hotel Reviews section of the site.

Food was good. Since I went in off season, so no tandoor items were avaialble. Try out the chicken omellette!

How to reach Dalhousie

Air: The nearest airports Amritsar (118 kms) & Jammu (188 kms) are connected to Delhi by Indian Airlines as well as by Vayudoot flights.
Fare: Calcutta-Delhi Rs.3445 (Y), Rs.4797 (J). Delhi-Amritsar Rs.1548 (Y). Delhi-Jammu Rs.2066 (Y), Rs.2865 (J).

Rail: The nearest railhead is Pathankot (80 kms) and is connected to all of the major cities in India. Fare (approx): Calcutta-Pathankot Rs.1480 (AC-2A), 1230 (I), 329 (II).

Road: Regular bus services connect Dalhousie with Amritsar 118 kms, Jalandhar 192 kms, Pathankot 80 kms, Chamba 56 kms, Manali 402 kms, Delhi 563 kms, Chandigarh 352 kms, Dharamsala 143 kms, Khajjiar 27 kms and Jammu 188 kms.

Local Transport in Dalhousie: Taxis and ponies are available.

Tours conducted by HPTDC
The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation conducts the following tours from Dalhousie
1) Dalhousie - Pathankot & vice-versa (one-way): Rs.100/- per seat.
2) Dalhousie to Khajjiar & back: Rs. 60/- per seat.
3) Dalhousie to Chamba & back: Rs.100/- per seat.

Note: Prices, timing & transport details may subject to change with time.

Best time to visit Dalhousie: April to November