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All local site seeing can be done on foot in Dalhousie. The main
tourist attractions are Panchpula, Kalatop and Khajiar lake.
Places of Interest
PANCHPULA:
Panchpula, a beautiful spot, is barely 3 kms. from G.P.O. On the
way to Panchpula is Satdhara springs gurgling with refreshing
water, believed to contain some medicinal properties. Panchpula
stream is the main source of water supply to Dalhousie and Bahloon.
The stream springs from the north side of DayanKund and runs down
a picturesque ravine to the waterworks of Panchpula. There is an
elegant monument erected at Panchpula where several streams meet
at one point. This monument, a samadhi was built in memory of
great revolutionary Sardar Ajit Singh who breathed his last in
Panchpula. There is a Tourism restaurant and several chai shops in
Panchpula, that offer hot and cold beverages and snacks.
KYNANCE:
Kynance is a private residential building of Dharamvirs. This
building was constructed during the year 1933 by Dr. N.R.Dharamvir
of Lahore. This building acquired historical significance due to
the reason that Neta Ji Subhash Chander Bose, a class fellow of
the wife of Dr. Dharamvir, stayed with them for a period of 7
months beginning May, 1937. Before arriving in Dalhousie, Neta Ji
was in British Jail where his health had deteriorated. On the
request of his younger brother the British High Court released
Neta Ji on parole on health grounds. It brought Neta Ji to the
climate of Dalhousie. Kynance is barely 50 kms. from G.P.O. It
lies hidden from the public eye below the road. An insignificant
looking board bearing the name of Kynance hangs from a tree and is
discernible to only those tourists who have an eye for details.
SUBHASH BAOLI:
Just approximatly 1 km from G.P.O. is a charming natural spot
called Subhash Baoli. Neta ji Subhash Chander Bose during his 7
months sojourn in Dalhousie in 1937 is believed to have spent most
of his days by the side of this water body, meditating amidst
dense woods of Cedar and meeting his party workers. This place
lies on the G.P.O. - JandriGaht Road. A canopy with seating
facilities has been created by the local administration at this
place.
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH:
St. Andrew's Church commonly known as the Church of Scotland was
built in the year 1903 at Baloon by Protestant Christians. The
Church is approximately one and half kms. from Dalhousie's bus
stand. The Church building is in good condition, recently a brick
boundary wall has been erected around it to save the building from
mischief mongers.
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH:
This Church is situated in Baloon, Dalhousie Cantt., on Military
Hospital road approximately 2 kms. from main bus stand. St.
Patrick's Church is the largest church in Dalhousie having a
seating capacity of 300 persons in its main hall. The Church was
built in the year 1909 and the dressed-stone building is still in
good condition. This Church was built exclusively from
contribution made by officers and ranks of the British Army. At
present the Church is managed and maintained by the Catholic
Diocese of Jalandhar.
ST. FRANCIS' CHURCH:
This Catholic Church is a very prominent monument on the Subhash
Chowk. This Church was built in the year 1894 from the
contributions made by Army and Civil Officers and Civilians. This
Church is managed and maintained by the Cathoilic Diocese of
Jalandhar. St. Francis' Church on Prtrain hill is believed to have
been built on the lines of a certain church in England. Beautiful
glass work and intricate stone work can be seen in the Church.
Service is conducted every Sunday.
By
the side of the Church is the residence of the Priest. The
building is called Alverna better known to the local people as "Lambe
Chole Wale Padri Ki Kothi".
ST. JONH'S CHURCH:
This Church stands on the Gandhi Chowk approximately 2 kms. from
the main bus stand of Dalhousie. This Church was the first to be
built after the town of Dalhousie was founded. Prior to 1863 a
wooden structure stood at this place. The idea to build a stone
structure took birth with the arrival of Rev. John H. Pratt who
came to Dalhousie on 11-04-1863 and inspired the Christian
community to build a permanent church building at this place.
Building of this church is a copy of Roman Catholics church of
England but this church belongs to Protestants. The church
building stands in a good condition but its surroundings demand
much better care. Service is conducted on every Sunday.
LAXMI NARAYAN TEMPLE:
This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and was built more than
150 years ago. The temple enshrines a beautiful image of Lord
Vishnu. The temple is frequented by local devotees. The temple is
located in Sadar Bazar approximately 200 mtrs. from Subhash Chowk.
KALATOP:
Kalatop and Khajiar are best explored if you take a three days
walk from Dalhousie to Kalatop, Khajjiar and back Dalhousie. The
trek is more or less level and requires good health, a pair of
sturdy walking shoes. Kalatop is 10 kms from G.P.O. at an altitude
of 8000 feet. Walking along the secluded and forested road through
upper Nakorota hills, one reaches Lakkarmandi. Between G.P.O. and
Lakkarmandi lies the Dalhousie water system, Tibetan Handicraft
Centre and Dalhousie Potato Farm at Ahla. Lakkarmandi is nestled
between 8600 feet high DayanKund peak on its right and Kalatop on
the left. Dayan Kund has military installations and is closed to
civilians except the local people who visit Bhulwani Mata temple
near DayanKund.
Lakkarmandi is home for dhogri families that are engaged in
charcoal making. Most of the dhogris have been driven to plains
because of the fall in the demand for charcoal.
At
Lakkarmandi there is a Wildlife Barrier to check movement of
vehicles on the unpaved but narrow level road that runs 3 kms to
Kalatop Forest Rest House. The walk from Lakkarmandi to Kalatop is
through dense forest of pines and deodars. The solitude is
occasionally broken by singing birds. The blissful solitude of
Kalatop is ideal for the honeymooners. Permit for the rest house
is obtainable from DFO, Wildlife, Chamba.
KHAJIAR:
23 kms from Dalhousie by road and 13 kms from Kalatop is the mini
Switzerland of India at a height of 6400 ft. Hutchison writes, "Khajjiar
is a forest glade of great beauty, 6400 feet above sea level".
Khajjiar is often reffered to as "Gulmarg of Himachal Pradesh".
The lush green meadows are surrounded by thick pine and cedar
forests. Grazing herds of sheep, goats and other milch cattle
present a prefect pastoral scenery. There is a small lake in the
center of the saucer shaped meadow which has in it a floating
island. Much of the lake has degenerated into slush because of
heavy silting during rains. Still the landscape of Khajjiar is
picturesque and a photographer's delight.
A
little away from the lake is the temple of Khajji Nag belonging to
12th C. AD. In the mandapa of the temple one can see the images of
the Pandavas and the defeated Kaurvas hanging from the roof of the
circumambulatory path. The sanctum of the temple has been
beautifully carved from wood.
There is a Tourism Hotel and some Tourism cottages at Khajjiar
where the tourists can stay . Besides there are two rest houses
one each of P.W.D. and Forest Deptt. A couple of private hotels
have also come up, which do not match the above places in terms of
location and amenities. Bus service to and from Khajjiar is
limited and timings change according to local demands. There used
to be a golf course in Khajjiar which is not maintained. The best
entertainment in Khajjiar is to walk around the lake or to go for
long walks in the thick pine forests. Children enjoy this place
because of the freedom of movement and the slopy terrain which
permits them to roll down to the lake without getting hurt.
Another attraction like any other hill station is horse riding.
On
07-07-1992, Mr. Willy t. Blazer, Vice Counselor and Head of
Chancery of Switzerland in India brought Khajjiar on the world
tourism map by christening it "Mini Switzerlan". He also put a
sign board of a yellow Swiss hiking footpath showing Khajjiar's
distance from the Swiss capital Berne-6194 kms. Khajjiar is among
the 160 locations in the world that bear topographical resemblance
with Switzerland. The Counselor also took from Khajjiar a stone
which will form part of a stone collage around the Swiss
Parliament to remind the visitors of Khajjiar as Mini Switzerland
of India.
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