Places of Interest in and around Dalhousie.
Subhash Boli – (1km from Gandhi Chowk) is an enchanting spot that is surrounded by majestic trees. It is said that in the year 1937, Subhas Chandra Bose spent a lot of his time here, contemplating and meditating and this place has been named after him.
St. Johns Church – The St. Johns Church at Gandhi Chowk was built in the year 1863.
St. Francis Church – St. Francis Church at Subhash Chowk was built in the year 1894.
Satdhara–It is on the way to Panchpulla, at an altitude of 6,000 feet. These Springs are reputed to have great therapeutic value as they contain mica with medicinal properties.
Panchpulla–This place is about 2.5km from Gandhi Chowk. It is a popular picnic spot where the Samadhi of revolutionary leader Sardar Ajit Singh (Chacha of Sardar Bhagat Singh ) is located.
Khal Poukhri – It is a popular picnic spot with green meadows surrounded by thick forest, a small stream that runs through the meadow and is approachable by car or on foot.
Balwani Devi Temple – This is a small temple dedicated to the ‘Goddess of wrestlers and is an 11kms drive by vehicle from Dalhousie. Every year wrestling competitions are held in these temple premises and attract a big crowd of spectators, who come to witness this competition.
Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary– It is located at a distance of 12kms from Dalhousie and is at a height of 8,000 feet. Halfway between Dalhousie and Khajjiar, at a location called Lakharmandi, a 3kms jeep track leaves the main road and zigzags its way through the dense forests to arrive at Kalatop. It provides a panoramic view of snow peaks around. Most of the scenes in the film “1942 – A Love Story” were shot there.
Dainkund Peak – It is a 15 km drive from Dalhousie. A right turn from Lakharmandi will take you near the Dainkund Peak(at an altitude of about 9,800 feet), from where it is a short trek of 1.5 km. The valley between the peaks is known as the Singing Hills because of the sound that is created due to the wind blowing through the trees. On a clear day, one can have a bird’s eye view of the entire valley with the Beas, Ravi, and Chenab rivers that appear like thin silver ribbons cutting across the landscape.
Khajjiar – It is 23kms from Dalhousie and at an elevation of 3,000 feet. This place is also called “Mini Switzerland” as the landscape and topography bear a very strong resemblance to Switzerland. It gets its name from the “Khajji Nag” temple. Another attraction here is a big statue of “Lord Shiva” located here.
Joth – It is 17kms from Khajjiarand is at a height of 9,000 feet and from this point, one can get a panoramic view of the snow-clad mountain peaks. The Hindi film “Gadar” was shot here.
Rock Garden &Chamera Lake – Both these points are located on the Dalhousie – Chamba road. There is a Water Sports Complex for boating in Chamera lake.
Balai Mata Temple– It is a famous temple of “Goddess Kali”, who is worshipped by locals as a Goddess of power. This temple is located8kms from Chamera Lake.
Chamba– It is 52kms from Dalhousie and at an elevation of 3,000 feet. The Laxmi Narayan temple here was built by Sahil Verman in the 10th century AD in shikhar style. Chambarumal,chappal&chukhare some of the very famous products of this place. Minjar fair which starts on the 2nd Sunday of the Shravana month (July and August) is an important annual event. The Hindi film ‘Taal’ was shot here.
Bharmour– Itis 65kms from Chamba and at a height of 7,240 feet. It is well known for its delicious, juicy, red apples and a very old 6th-century archaeological temple, the Chaurasi temple, which is a temple complex comprising of 84 temples and is also called the “Shiv Bhoomi”.
Manimahesh–It is 28 km from Bharmourat a height of 13,500 feet. A sacred lake situated at the base of the Kailash Peak (at a height of 18,664 feet and believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva) is a famous Hindu pilgrimage center. The annual Manimahesh Yatra starts on the eve of “Sri Krishna Janamashtmi” and concludes on “Radhaashtami”.