State: Himachal Pradesh

Main languages- Hindi and Tibetan 

 

History:

 

The mystique town of Dalhousie is built on and around five hills. It is located on the western edge of the Himalayan mountain range called Dhauladhar. This beautiful town has been named after Lord Dalhousie, who was the Marquees and 10th Earl of Dalhousie. He was also the governor-general of India. During the British rule Dalhousie served to be one of the summer get-aways and was popular for its calm and scenic beauty. The town had been established in 1854 by the East India Company. A large number of Tibetan tourists had been settled in the region and though many have moved out, there are still large numbers of Tibetans still living there.

 

Geography and demographics:

 

Located in and around the hills, Dalhousie is a paradise on earth. The town is surrounded by beautiful snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. The town is situated at an elevation of about 6000-9000 feet above sea level. The city is the gateway to the ancient Chamba hill state, which is now the Chamba district. The rivers Ravi and Chandrabhaga or Chenab, provide nourishment to the glaciers here. Dalhousie is located at 32.53° N 75.98° E and has an average elevation of 1954 meters. The town has a population of 7419 with an average literacy rate of 81%.

 

Climate:

 

The weather in Dalhousie is usually warm in the mornings and noon of peak summer months but it gets cooler in the night. Woolen garments are required in evenings through out the year. 

 

Culture:

 

The town is an arsenal of ancient Hindu temples, culture, art, and handicrafts. These have been preserved under one of the oldest running, single dynasty since the 6th century. There is prevalent Scottish and Victorian architecture in this town and even the bungalows and churches here show the influence of the same. 

 

Tourism:

 

There are various places to see here like the Kalatop-Khaijjar wildlife sanctuary which is located within the confines of the town. Then there is the pilgrimage to Mani Mahesh Temple and Lake, which is an annual trekking event. Trekking is one of the most interesting activities in the region and the routes cover Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal. This route is also considered to be one of the big challenges to serious trekkers. There are various other trails in the region. Palampur, Baijnath, Bir, Billing McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala and Triund are other nearby hill stations. The best time to visit here is during the summer months from May to September.

 

Economy:

 

The city survives mainly on tourism being the main source of economy. There are various hydroelectric projects and dams here. Several national forest and wildlife sanctuaries exist near the town. The Tibetan market in this region is a popular mode of income for the locals.

 

Transportation:

 

The nearest railway station is at Pathankot, which is about 80 km away. The town is well connected through road with regular buses and cars plying from Pathankot. The nearest airport is the Jammu airport.  

 

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