Dharamshala – the place we know for Himalayan Dhauladhaar Views with the famous and most beautiful cricket stadiums of the world in the foreground. The City is well maintained and boasts all the necessary social infrastructure. Despite its remote location, Dharamshala boasts of modern infrastructure to cater to the needs of travelers. The city is divided into two main areas: Lower Dharamshala and Upper Dharamshala (McLeod Ganj). Lower Dharamshala serves as the commercial hub with markets, restaurants, and hotels, while Upper Dharamshala is the cultural heart, home to Tibetan settlements and monasteries. The city is planned well and gets busy as the day unfolds. I decided to stay in McLeod Ganj and made it my base as it was comparatively a niche hill town with a more blended culture of Himachal and Tibet. Also, food variation was on one of my priority lists to decide upon the staying options.
Dharamshala's designation as the winter capital of Himachal Pradesh carries significant political and administrative importance for the state. This decision was made to address the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions in Shimla, the traditional capital, during the winter months. Dharamshala's geographical location makes it easily accessible compared to Shimla during the winter months. The city is well-connected by road and air, with smoother transportation routes even in inclement weather. This accessibility ensures that government officials, employees, and visitors can travel to and from the capital without major disruptions. It has gradually developed its infrastructure to accommodate the additional responsibilities of being the winter capital. The city's amenities, including administrative offices, accommodations, transportation networks, and healthcare facilities, have been upgraded to meet the demands of governance during the winter season.
Travel from McLeod Ganj to Dharamshala
Ropeways have always fascinated me since childhood. I remember my parents used to take me to local city fair where a temporary ropeway was arranged for enjoying a small ride from one corner of the field to another corner. Those memories were etched in my heart and whenever I got a chance to explore a place using a ropeway, I grab it. Be it Darjeeling in my early 20s or now in Himachal Pradesh, where I decided to visit Dharamshala from Mcleodganj in the famous and well maintained “Dharamshala Ropeway”. The cost of One-way ride is of INR 450/- and the Two-way fare is INR 650/- approximately. It is always cost effective to book a return journey as well. The Station is well secured and they allow to visit inside only when the waiting time gets over. When we visited, the waiting time was approximately 15 minutes. Depending on the day of the week, the time may increase like on weekends. There are some local shops nearby so utilize the waiting time, those may be explored.
Finally, the waiting was over and We boarded a beautiful orange coloured cabin which was super maintained and clean from inside. The seats are comfortable and through the wide glasses of the cabin, you can enjoy the entire panoramic vista of the valley. The ride was approximately of 20 minutes and thereafter you will reach the Dharamshala Ropeway Station. The approach road to the outside premises of the station was under redevelopment and thus you may need to walk a bit to reach the local taxi stand to hire a vehicle for local sightseeing. Transportation within the city is convenient with taxis, auto-rickshaws, and local buses readily available. Medical facilities, ATMs, and internet connectivity are also easily accessible. If you are traveling with elderly people, it is advisable that a taxi is hired for visiting the places. I booked a small Alto taxi for visiting the famous Dharamshala Stadium and Tea Garden. The war memorial was also on the list but as my mother could bear the afternoon heat for sometime only, therefore I
decided to utilize her energy in visiting the stadium and tea garden only.
Sightseeing at Dharamshala
I had prior experience in visiting tea gardens of different parts of the Country. Be it Darjeeling in West Bengal, Tea Gardens of Sikkim, Munnar in Kerala, Ooty in Tamil Nadu or this time in Himachal Pradesh. It was 11 am in the morning and few tourists were there in the tea garden. The landscape was beautiful but somehow it was not that appealing to eyes as compared to other places which I have visited before. May be for a first-time visitor, they may find it attractive. Also, there is a small tea shop located at the entrance of the garden where you can choose to have tea of your choice and flavour. Again, from my previous experience of Sikkim, I decided to have an Orange Pekoe Tea but to my utter disappointment, it felt like a hot water. Nevertheless, to utilize the time and to keep some memories, I took some photographs with my wife while my mother was preserving her energy relaxing under a shade. You can skip this place if you have traveled earlier to Tea Gardens.
The next spot was the famous Dharamshala Stadium. The one which I have seen only in pictures or television. The Dharamshala Cricket Stadium, also known as the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, is one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world. Situated at an altitude of 1,457 meters above sea level, it offers panoramic views of the snow-capped Dhauladhaar range of Himalayas in the backdrop. Though I am not an ardent cricket fan (which ironically doesn’t align with my name :D), yet this stadium has its own charm and beauty. The stadium also hosted few cricket matches for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and the entire city was still decked up with various colourful banners and logos of the event. The feel got more realistic when I entered the visitor gallery after a brisk walk from the ticket counter. The ticket costs only INR 20/- per person. By the time I entered the arena, it was noon. Surprisingly, that day, Dharamshala was not as cool as it should be in November end. The stadium looks like a well-maintained small field, beautifully decorated with the colourful galleries surrounding it. The Pavilion was adorned in red coloured exterior which complements well with the green patches of the grass on field. The pavilions and stands are constructed using local materials, including wood and stone, reflecting the traditional architectural style of the region. As you must have seen in various pictures; the magnanimous peaks of the Dhauladhaar Range in the backdrop; unfortunately, that day was not the same for me. It was a bit humid day with partly cloudy sky which completely encapsulated the Himalayan range. Amidst a few good numbers of tourists, I managed to get a few likeable shots. My trip to Dharamshala was fulfilled the moment I get a chance to witness the beauty of this iconic stadium.
I deliberately did not visit any particular eatery or any local market in Dharamshala as everything was available and explored in Mcleodganj only. However, soon I will write a separate blog about the eateries of Mcleodganj. Dharamshala unfolded its beauty in layers, each one more captivating than the last. From the exhilarating ropeway ride to the serene tea gardens, the city offered a delightful blend of adventure and tranquillity. While the Dhauladhaar range remained shy on my visit, the majestic presence of the cricket stadium filled my heart with awe. As Ruskin Bond, the celebrated author who called Dharamshala home, once said, "It is a place where one can lose oneself in the beauty of the hills and the peace of the countryside." Indeed, Dharamshala instilled a sense of peace and wonder within me, leaving me with memories that will forever be etched in my mind.
Thank you for reading!
Comentários