Friday, September 27, 2013

Dalhousie

DALHOUSIE

Lord Dalhousie during many of his sojourns in these Hills chanced upon this charming spot which was later to bear his name. His admiration to this place led him to establish one of the prime Hill Resorts of India in the year 1854.
Since then this Hill Station continues to safely guard its natural environs which till date are kept to the best of their charms and beauty. Built upon Five Hills covered with a thick growth of Ban, Oak, Confirs, Pine, Firs and a large variety of trees and shrubs "nestles" this queen of Hill Stations.

"A places Anxiety to preserve the purity and essence of nature cut out a gem of a Hill Station called Dalhousie."

Romantic Charm and Majestic presence of the Himalayas have always drawn people of diverse nature, taste, culture and interest for a rich and rewarding experience. Dalhousie landscape, complete with snowy peaks, thickly wooded mountains, exotic and wide spectrum of Flora & Fauna, massive glaciers, glittering lively streams and ajure sky offer wending vistas of vision to the isitors.
with the best and easily accessible location invites you to be in a romantic hideaway, viewing the majestic Dhauladhar, Snow-Clad Pir Panjal Range and Lush Green Bathri Valley.
Dalhousie comprises five hills Balun, Kathlug, Patreyn, Tehra and Bakrota at Heights ranging from l525 mts(5,000 ft) to 2,738 mts (7,800 ft) make Dalhousie a dream of a place for peace and thrill seekers alike the inviograting air warm sunshine and quiet surroundings add enchantment to its open and colorful valleys level walks and treks admist the dense forest offers enchanting view of the snow covered mountains and lush green valleys and rivers below.

The beauty and charm of Dalhousie has been able to capture the fancy of the famous personalities of the past and the present. Apart from the British many of our national who's who have visiited Dalhousie. Rabindra Nath Tagore, along with his father Maharishi D.N. Tagore visited Dalhousie in the year 1873. He penned a few lines of his Nobel Prize winning book Geetanjali here in Dalhousie. Rudyard Kipling, the famous British poet visited this serene hill station in 1884. Pundit Moti Lal Nehru and Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru have added to the guest list of this town. Subhash Chandra Bose visited Dalhousie and stayed here in 1937 for a good long seven months for recupirating from ill health. But after his sojourn in Dalhousie, his recovery was complete and he put his reinvigorated energy full steam into the Indian Independence struggle and was at the helm of affairs as President of the Indian National Congress in 1938 and 1939.

Rajiv Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi also liked to visit this town quite oftenly. Tibetan spritual leader His Holiness The Dalai Lama has also blessed this town with his visits in 1962 and again in 1988.
This beautiful town has also been a host to the Bollowood stars and directors. Various Bollywood movies have been shot here. 'Nandan' in 1952, Dilse - starring Shahrukh Khan, Manisha Koirala. 1942 A Love Story, Gadar, God n Gun, Himalaya putra, The Blue Umbrella etc to name a few. Quite a few TV serials like 'Kashmir' have also been shot here.
 
Climate of Dalhousie

Dalhousie has a temperate climate with day temperatures rising to 26° C in summers. In winters the maximum day temperature is around 10° C and the minimum drops to 1° C at night. The average maximum and minimum temperatures are only slightly above those of London, England. The rainy season extends from mid June to late September. In winters Dalhousie experiences snowfall between December and February.
During Spring with fresh green in the woods, and rhododendron and other flowers in bloom, Dalhousie stretch its limbs after a winter Slumber
Trekking around Dalhousie - A Walker's Paradise

Dalhousie can be defined as a Walker's paradise. This is one of the few beautiful hillstations of India which have level walks. Even if you don not intend to go on long hard treks these short level walks amidst the beautiful woods and hills is rejuvenating and relaxing too.
The Figure of '8' Walk
Panoramic view of Pir Panjal
The walk around the Mall Road or the Thandi - Garam round, as it is popularly known and equally popular, both among the tourists and locals. this may further be extended into the Potreyn Round.
Tagore Walk
The Bakrota hills present a panoramic view of the hills on one side and the river plains of Punjab on the other side. The walk is about 7km which meanders around the Bakrota Mall starting at the Tagore Memorial.
Subhash Chandra Bose Health Walk
Walk from Kynance house near the Sri Raghunath Temple to Gandhi Chowk. From there take the Jandri Ghat road behind the Raizada Hansraj Library. It is a 1km walk to the baoli. Drink the refreshing spring waters at the Subhash Baoli you can continue your walk as far as you want, bearing in mind that you will have to return on the same road only.
Lakkar Mandi to Kalatope
This is one of the best walks through the Wildlife Sanctuary. The walk starts at Lakkar Mandi at the Charcoal Makers Colony on the Khajjiar road. This point is about 11kms from Dalhousie. The sanctuary road leads through a deodar forest to a pleasent Forest Rest house.
If one is an avid trekker then he / she can go for longer and more streneous treks too.
For further information please contact the Manager, Hotel MountView. hmvdlu@gmail.com
Sights from Dalhousie


Khajjiar

22 Kms from Hotel Mount View referred as the Mini Switzerland of India is one of the finest Saucer shaped meadows lined by Tall Deodar Trees and a Lake in the middle with over an 500 year old Wooden Nag Temple near to the Lake.
Chamba

44 Kms from Hotel Mount View the erstwhile capital of the famous Chamba State is a worth visiting place, it has one of the oldest Temples of the country the finest Art & Crafts of the Phari peopIe and a very old Museum.
Chamera

21 Kms is from Hotel Mount View, the Hydro Project Chamera's 40 sq Km Chamera Lake Boating and other water Sports facilities are really enjoyable. Here the facilities are run by the Dept of Tourism Himachal Pradesh
Bhalei Temple 

The Mighty Bhadrakali Temple popularly known as Shri Bhalei Mata, an incarnation of Goddess Kali is located on a beautiful square of 3800 feet height at a place called Bhalei. 32 km. from Hotel Mount View, this temple of the local deity, is much respected and revert place of Chamba district.
Devi Dehra

18 Kms is from Hotel Mount View, Devi Dehra, Rock Garden and waterfalls again a must see place. The environs and topography of the place is just beautiful.
Kala Top

10 Kms is from Hotel Mount View, away the quaint wildlife sanctuary of HP Forest Dept with a small forest enveloped Rest House is a beautiful place worth enjoying as its rumored that even in the evening their is darkness due to its thick forest covers.
Dainkund - Bholani Temple

10 km from Hotel Mountview, Dainkund is the highest mountain in Dalhousie, at an altitude of 2755 mtrs it provides the picture book scenery of the whole valley. The amazing experience of a pliable trudge in a beautiful ambience is quite spectacular.
Panjpula & Karelnu

05 Kms is from Hotel Mount View, each in diffrent directions are waterfalls almost in the Town. Karelnu is one place that should be must on your itinerary as it is overlooking the Pir Panjals and beautiful landscaped gardens.
Sach Pass

The All year around Snow covered pass, which is a gateway to the Pangi valley is a must see place while on a trip to Dalhousie. 120 Kms from Dalhousie, its about three and half hour drive. Enjoy the majestic views of Chamba and Pangi valley on the other side the pass is located at an altitude of over 14000 feet offering brethtaking views all over.