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Dalhousie is the cultural and scenic heartbeat of Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh. Perched at an elevation of 6463 feet, it is a precious bit of heaven on earth. Dalhousie is one of those unique hill-stations that have three majestic mountain ranges in its line of sight. You can see the Dhauladhar, Kailash and Pir Panjal peaks from Diankund, Khajjiar and the Dalhousie Mall. It is one of those tourist places that are open all year round despite a stark difference in topography and weather conditions. Come here for the snow-trek in winter or go meadow-zorbing in the summer, Dalhousie Tourism will dazzle you at all times.
| Dalhousie Tourism | Information |
|---|---|
| Official Language | Hindi |
| Also Known as | Garden City |
| Currency | Indian Rupee (INR) |
| Time Zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Area | 1,970 metres above sea level |
| Best known for | woolen shawls and Tibetan handicrafts |
| State | Himachal Pradesh |
| Population | 7,051 |
Five hills of Bakrota, Potreyn, Kathalagh, Terah (Moti Tibba) and Bhangora constitute the beautiful town of Dalhousie. They are spread across a navigable length of 14 km on the western end of the Dhauladhar mountain range. The altitudinal variation brings with it a visual treat for the travellers. From dry scrub vegetation to alpine meadows and deciduous forests, they paint a breathtaking view to behold. Steep slopes, spurs and moderately sloping river valleys are a distinct feature of this region’s topography. This allows seasoned tourists and first-time visitors alike to indulge in holiday activities of their choice.
Dalhousie is located on the geographic coordinates 32.53° N 75.98°E. This means it has a Humid Subtropical Climate of high intensity summers and moderate winters. Its altitude and positioning in the Lesser himalayas offsets the summers and the temperature reaches a maximum of only 24° C. This is the best seasons to go on a Dalhousie Tour. The winters are crisp with a maximum of 14° C in December to a minimum of 1° C in January. The tourists get to experience slights showers too. They do not have to face extreme weather conditions in different seasons.
The British obtained the five hills of Bakrota, Potreyn, Kathalagh, Terah (Moti Tibba) and Bhangora from the Raja of Chamba in 1853. They wanted to develop them into a Convalescent Depot and a Cantonment. On Sir Donald McLeod’s suggestion, the new acquisition was named Dalhousie in honour of the Earl of Dalhousie, Governor General of India (1848-1856). It belonged to Gurdaspur district in Punjab until 1966 after which it was transferred to Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh.
Dalhousie is an educational hub of residential/ day schools. The educational facilities include private as well as Government aided learning centres following CBSE and ICSC curriculum. Dalhousie also has autonomous establishments specially made for Tibetans and their families. Dalhousie Public School, Dalhousie Hilltop School, Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School and Central Schools for Tibetans are some of the prestigious schools based in Dalhousie.
Tourists and travellers all around the year are such an inseparable part of Dalhousie that they are almost counted among the local populace. Anytime you ask a local about the population, they will proudly proclaim, “Anywhere between 7,000 to 50,000.” Such a strong bond with the visitors has resulted in the society being extremely aware, hospitable and ecologically mindful. From Dalhousie’s colonial past to the recent Tibetan settlements, every legacy is cherished preserved and carried forward. Chamba is famous for its Pahadi paintings and rumaals. Himachali folk music and dance include romantic ballads, Dangi, Ghurei dance for household ceremonies, Sohal Nati, Kikli and Gidda.
Language Spoken
Hindi
Currency used:
Rupees
Dalhousie Tourism offers you a vibrant mix of destinations to explore.
Natural tourist attractions such as the Diankund Peak, Khajjiar, Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, Bakrota Hills, Panchpula, Motitibba, Chamera Lake, Ganji Pahadi and Chamba Valley will leave you spellbound.
The Dalhousie Tour is incomplete without its Heritage landmarks. St. John Church at Gandhi Chowk is one of the oldest structures in Dalhousie. Some other edifices that remain high on the sightseeing list are - The 150-year-old Laxmi Narayan Temple in Sadar Bazaar, Kyanance Building where Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose stayed for 7 months in 1937, Rang Mahal, Norwood Paramdham, Subhash Baoli, Dalhousie Public School, and the Tibetan Market.
Dalhousie Tourism caters to the travellers from all over the world. It is a melting pot of global cuisine. Chinese, South India, Italian, Kashmiri, European, you name it and you will find it. However, some of the authentic Himachali dishes that you must try are – Madra made from chickpeas, mutton and stuffed Sidu, Himachali Thali and Bhey Lotus Stems.
Suhi Fair: It is one of the oldest fairs. Womenfolk perform the Ghurei dance. It is held in the memory of queen Sunaina, wife of the early 10th CE king Raja Sahil Varman, who sacrificed her life so that the just built town could get enough water.
Minjar Fair: Come monsoon and the weeklong harvest fair of Minjar (Maize flowers) is celebrated in Chowgan. The festival comes alive with a procession of deities where people are dressed in their traditional finery.
Summer Festival: A celebration of all things vivid and blooming. This two-day festival at Gandhi Chowk is worth attending, as you will find the locals showcasing their art, culture, cuisine, attire, music and dance with joyous abandonment. Join in the fun for a true Chambyali (belonging to Chamba) experience.
Diwali, Lohri, Christmas, Losar, New Year, Holi and other important festivals are celebrated with as much enthusiasm and aplomb.
This succinctly sums up the tapestry of experiences that Dalhousie Tourism has in store for you. Talk to us at SOTC and we will help you achieve your holiday goals in the most effortless and elegant way with amazing Dalhousie tour packages and Himachal tour packages .
