Bedecked by snowflakes, the city of Dalhousie remains one of the prime tourist hotspots throughout the year. Enclosed within the mountain range of Dhauladhar, the town showcases an exceptional exhibit of Victorian architecture built around colonial times. From a range of activities to explore to several sites to enjoy, this town not only allows the tourists to experience a new environment but also to engage in a culture never seen before. Based on the activities one wishes to delve into, here are 15 places to visit in Dalhousie that you would like to enjoy.
For exploring towns and cultures
Khajjiar | Places to Visit in Dalhousie
Khajjiar is a small town located about 20km from Dalhousie. With beautiful views of a serene lake in the centre surrounded by a forest full of cedar trees and a backdrop of a beautiful mountain range, the town never forgets to leave an ever-lasting impression on its tourists with these picturesque views.
Chamba
Lying at the foothills of Mount Kailash, the city of Chamba is famous for attracting a religious crowd throughout the year. Known for its pristine natural beauty, the city lives up to its immaculate reputation of being a cultural hotspot. With a distance of about 40km from Dalhousie, the city is easily accessible and invites visitors with warmth.
-For visiting religious places
St. Francis Catholic Church | Places to Visit in Dalhousie
St. Francis Catholic Church lies in the Moti Tiba area around Subhash Chowk. This structure was completed in 1894, showcasing itself as one of the most prominent examples of Victorian-era Architecture. The structure’s interiors are decorated with beautiful and precise stonework, along with several fittings of Belgian glass. With carvings older than 100 years old, the pictures cite the story of the building’s history and express the story of its past.
St. Patrick’s church
St. Patrick’s church is one the largest churches in Dalhousie. Located around the Balloon falls of Dalhousie Cantonment, it is a primal example of British architecture constructed by British army officers in 1909. With a capacity to hold over 300 people, this building attracts not only tourists but also history geeks and architecture lovers.
St. John church | Places to Visit in Dalhousie
St. John church is the oldest church in all of Dalhousie. Constructed in the year 1863, the building ever since holds high importance for the Protestant community. Tourists from all around the world visit this church for its historical and religious significance.
Chamunda Devi Temple
Chamunda Devi Temple holds incredible religious significance for the devotees of Goddess Ambika. According to Hindu mythology, this is where the goddess had killed demons hence making it a shrine, signifying the death of evil and worship of the goddess.
Laxmi Narayan temple
Laxmi Narayan temple is the oldest building, with construction records as early as 940 AD. This building features the Shikhara style of architecture, comprising a Garbha Griha, a Mandapa, and a Shrine. With beautiful idols of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva made up of rarefied materials, this place holds a lot of religious sentiments and cultural significance.
Pohlani Devi Temple | Places to Visit in Dalhousie
Pohlani Devi Temple is a Hindu temple devoted to the deity of Pohlani, which worships the ‘Trishul’ (a form of trident) as a form of expressing their devotion.
For finding places to relax
Rock Garden
The rock garden is an amazing example of landscape architecture that features a beautiful variety of colourful plants and trees. The garden is also a well-known picnic spot for tourists and locals to enjoy their time by relaxing in the beauty of the greenery or by experiencing several adventurous sports available.
Panchpula | Places to Visit in Dalhousie
Panchpula is another infamous picnic spot, located at a distance from the Gandhi Chowk in Dalhousie. This place is most known for Saptdhara Waterfall and also for marking the beginning of the Ganji Pahari trek. It also gives a chance to adventure seekers to explore more.
Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary
Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife preservatory located in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. At a distance of about 4km from the Dalhousie city centre, the place is an amazing experience for all wildlife enthusiasts.
-For shopping for local goods
The Indo-Tibetan market
The Indo-Tibetan market is located in Moti Tiba, known to tourists as one of the best places to shop for local products in all of the towns. This market features many handicraft stores and also a couple of handloom shops which helps to create a reputation for the local products of Dalhousie.
Gandhi Chowk | Places to Visit in Dalhousie
Gandhi Chowk is the local equivalent of a city mall to Dalhousie. Tourists visit the lane to buy local souvenirs, handmade clothes, and many other accessories.
-For enjoying the local cuisine
Cafe Dalhousie
Cafe Dalhousie is an infamous one-stop food shop that offers a variety of cuisines and hosts an eatery for tourists. The cafe also flaunts beautiful views of the valleys and hills nearby.
-For learning more about history
Bhuri Singh Museum | Places to Visit in Dalhousie
Bhuri Singh Museum was founded in the year 1908. This Museum is located near the heart of Chamba and showcases a vast collection of inherited art. They possess a collection of over 8500 antiques, crafts, culture, and even many archaeological objects.
References:
Holidify.(2022). Places to Visit in Dalhousie. [online]. Available at: https://www.holidify.com/places/dalhousie/sightseeing-and-things-to-do.html [Accessed 08 January 2023].
