Walking the extra mile in Dalhousie

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By: Johar Singh

Dalhousie is a small hill station set along the western edge of Dhauladhar ranges. Perhaps the most idyllic of places in Himachal Pradesh if one is looking for a hill station in its true meaning – calm, serene, and still natural – Dalhousie offers an excellent retreat for people who speak the language of nature and can communicate with it.

This beautiful hill station is named after Lord Dalhousie, who was the governor general of India in 1854 when the British had envisaged the idea of developing a sanatorium for their soldiers and officers along with their families, away from the slithering heat of the plains. Lt. Col. Napier of the British Army made the necessary recommendations for acquiring this piece of land from the state of Chamba, of which it was a part. Dalhousie has been bestowed with a very nice and amazing climate. The cool environs of the town set amidst the Deodar, Oak and Rhododendron forests make this place very different from other hill stations and it pleases one and all. Commercialization, which has ruined various other hill stations of the state have not hit this part of the state with such a great force. The town has maintained its erstwhile charm of the British era. Dalhousie can be defined as a walker’s paradise. The town is among the few beautiful hill stations of India that have level walks. These level walks around the hills of Dalhousie are popular among both the locals and the tourists alike. Thus, Dalhousie may aptly be called ‘the walkers paradise’.

Mineral water springs at Satdhara and Subhash Baowli are believed to have medicinal properties. Subhash Chandra Bose of the Indian National Army, who visited Dalhousie in the year 1937, used to drink water from Subhash Baowli, which has been named after him. He recuperated from his illness while staying at this beautiful hill station.

Gandhi Chowk, Subhash Chowk, Mall Road, Bakrota Hills as some of the popular spots which are frequented by tourists. The sizable chunk of Tibetan population adds to the cultural fiesta of this town. A beautiful temple of the Tibetans situated at Bakrota should be a must-visit for all. Tibetan Handicraft Centre at Bakrota, which is managed by the Tibetan Welfare Office, provides you with the best of carpets at fixed prices.

The Jandrighat Palace, which is situated at some distance from Subhash Baowli, belongs to the erstwhile rulers of the Chamba state. This palace shows the lifestyle of the kings and queens of Chamba.

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30 COMMENTS

  1. Hi Mr.Johar

    I was always influenced by hill station Dalhousie.Reading all this information i will definitely make a plan to visit this heaven on Earth.

  2. Hi Mr.Johar

    I was always influenced by hill station Dalhousie.Reading all this information i will definitely make a plan to visit this heaven on Earth.

  3. would like to know more about this small but beautiful hill station ! Hopefully , the place has not yet been subjected to the onslaught of whatever goes in the name of development.

  4. would like to know more about this small but beautiful hill station ! Hopefully , the place has not yet been subjected to the onslaught of whatever goes in the name of development.

  5. Hi Johar,

    It was a pleasure to read this coloumn about Dalhousie. It has actually revived the memories of my visit to Dalhousie many years back in the snow. We had to walk quite abit due to the heavy snowfall but it was one of the best memories I have of snow. Although I have been to switzerland also but still I remember Dalhousie fondly and its unspoilt natural beauty.

  6. Hi Johar,

    It was a pleasure to read this coloumn about Dalhousie. It has actually revived the memories of my visit to Dalhousie many years back in the snow. We had to walk quite abit due to the heavy snowfall but it was one of the best memories I have of snow. Although I have been to switzerland also but still I remember Dalhousie fondly and its unspoilt natural beauty.

  7. Heyy Johar Bhaji,

    Eh TREMENDOUS information jo ki tuhade walo provide kiti gayi hai.., Badi benefitial aa sade { PUNJABIAAN } waste…, as it is THE BEST, CHEAPEST AND NEAREST HILL STATION FROM PUNJAB. I HAVE VISITED DALHOUSIE ONCE.., BUT I WAS NOT HAVING THE INFO ABOUT ALL THE PLACES….. THIS TIME SURELY.., I WILL VISIT DALHOUSIE IN THE SUMMER AND VISIT ALL THE PLACES.. THANKS FOR PROVIDING SUCH GREAT INFORMATION….!!!!!

  8. Heyy Johar Bhaji,

    Eh TREMENDOUS information jo ki tuhade walo provide kiti gayi hai.., Badi benefitial aa sade { PUNJABIAAN } waste…, as it is THE BEST, CHEAPEST AND NEAREST HILL STATION FROM PUNJAB. I HAVE VISITED DALHOUSIE ONCE.., BUT I WAS NOT HAVING THE INFO ABOUT ALL THE PLACES….. THIS TIME SURELY.., I WILL VISIT DALHOUSIE IN THE SUMMER AND VISIT ALL THE PLACES.. THANKS FOR PROVIDING SUCH GREAT INFORMATION….!!!!!

  9. Oh wow wat a good n calm place…. its a cool plzce n i think i hav to visit once in mt lyf to see the true nature there……

  10. Oh wow wat a good n calm place…. its a cool plzce n i think i hav to visit once in mt lyf to see the true nature there……

  11. Hey Johar..
    Beautifully written piece. Almost makes one want to come to Dalhousie..

    My last two years experience of coming to that place has been endless traffic jams… scores of hotels and apartments coming up… SMOKY environment on our morning walks, hillsides littered with burning garbage and last but not the least… HA..!! I have not seen water in Subhas bowli last year and even this year.. IT'S DRY!!
    And for god's sake you'd get sued for recommending people to drink the water of satdhara…

  12. Hey Johar..

    Beautifully written piece. Almost makes one want to come to Dalhousie..

    My last two years experience of coming to that place has been endless traffic jams… scores of hotels and apartments coming up… SMOKY environment on our morning walks, hillsides littered with burning garbage and last but not the least… HA..!! I have not seen water in Subhas bowli last year and even this year.. IT'S DRY!!

    And for god's sake you'd get sued for recommending people to drink the water of satdhara…

  13. Hi Mr. Johar, I enjoyed reading your piece about Dalhousie. I am planning a trip to Dalhousie for the coming weekend would you like to give any suggestions?

  14. dalhousie is indeed beautiful place and the mall road walks keep us fit and healthy, and the most important part , my wife is from DALHOUSIE, SO IT HAS TO BE BEAUTIFUL.

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