Amazing Himachal: 2018

Monday

Dal : Chota Manimahesh, Shri Durveshvar Mahadev Temple, and Tibetan Children Village

Dal is a small village situated at a distance of 11 kilometers away from Dharamshala near the village of Tota Rani on McLeod Ganj - Naddi road in district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. The village got its name from Dal Lake, a small mid-altitude lake, 1,775 meters above sea level.

foot path around Dal lake

Dal lake

Dal lake is filled with greenish water and is surrounded by deodar trees. The lake is famous for its scenic beauty and pilgrimage center. On the bank of Dal Lake, Shri Durveshvar Mahadev Temple is located (dedicated to Lord Shiva), which is considered to be very sacred.

Shri Durveshvar Mahadev Temple, Dal

Nandi statue at Shri Durveshvar Mahadev Temple, Dal

Shri Durveshvar Mahadev Temple was built by Mr Kalshar Singh Rana of village Gharoh in early 18th century. (Gharoh village is about 8 kilometers from Dharamshala and 19 kilometers from Dal). Dal lake is also known as "Chota (small) Mani Mahesh". Every year during the Hindu month of Badon on Radhastami, the 15th day following the festival of Janmashtami, (on August or September), the fair is held at Dal Lake. Thousands of pilgrims came to take holy dip in Dal lake, seeking blessings of the Lord Shiva. It is believed that the people who could not go to holy pilgrimage to the Mani Mahesh lake, they could come here.

( Mani Mahesh Lake is a high altitude lake (elevation 4,080 metres (13,390 ft)) situated close to the Manimahesh Kailash Peak in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, in the Bharmour subdivision of Chamba district of the Himachal Pradesh. )

Mani Mahesh lake, Chamba (image is downloaded from internet)

Sheetla Mata Temple near Dal lake

Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) is just near Dal Lake,. Tibetan Children's Villages is an integrated community in exile for the care and education of orphans, destitutes and refugee children from Tibet. It is a registered, nonprofit charitable organization with its main facility based at Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh

Tibetan Children Village Gate Dal

TCV Ground......Dal

Index..............

Friday

Kotla Village (Kangra)

View of Kotla village from the Kotla fort

Kotla is a Village situated on the National Highway 20 (Phathankot-Mandi road), in Himachal Pradesh. It is located in the Kangra district. The village is about 45 kilometres from Pathankot (Punjab) and the same distance from Dharamshala. The Bhed khad (stream) and Dehar khad (stream) cuts through the village, and both streams are tributaries of Beas river. The village is famous for it fresh water small local fish and there are many fish shops.

ruin of Kotla fort.....

The village is famous for the old fort - Kotla Fort, Bagula Mukhi temple which is inside the fort, and a number of additional religious places. The Kotla Fort was built by the Raja Ram Chandra of Guler-Dynasty in early 16th century.

A footbridge that connect Kotla village with fort

Bagula Mukhi temple

A yellow footbridge is constructed to connect the village with the fort. There is about 200 steps to reach the Fort. Inside the fort there is Bagula Mukhi temple.

steps to Kotla fort

Shiva temple in Kotla village

Index.......

Gallu Waterfall: a Secret Waterfall

Gallu Waterfall

Gallu village is about 4 kilometers from McLeod Ganj, at Upper Dharamshala. The trek to Indrahar pass (and Triund Campsite) starts from Gallu Village. There is also a trek to waterfall from the village. The waterfall is known as Gallu Waterfall.

trek to Gallu waterfall

The trek to waterfall from Gallu village is about 2 hours (leisurely trek) and 1 hours (fast trek). There is a water pipe along the path which can use to hold because the walk to the waterfall is slippery (specially in rainy season).

small tea shop on the trek to Gallu waterfall

Gallu waterfall is on Bhated stream and there are several tiny natural pools under and also above the waterfall and the water is refreshingly cold.

natural pool

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Thursday

Divine Dharamshala : Winter Capital of Himachal Pradesh

Dharamshala

Dharamshala is a beautiful hill station nestled on the foot hill of majestic Dhauladar ranges. Dharamshala has been selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city. On 19 January 2017, Dharamshala was declared winter capital of Himachal Pradesh. It also serves as the district headquarters of Kangra district.

Dharamshala

Since 1960 when it become a temporary headquarter of His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, Dharamshala has risen to international fame as 'The little Lhasa in India'. From 2012 Dharamshala hosts yearly International Film Festival, showcasing the best of recent Indian and world cinema, including fiction, documentaries and shorts. Dharamsala is also best known internationally for International Cricket Stadium (Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium). Dharamshala is known as Yoga and Mediation center as there are many institutes of Yoga and mediation in Upper Dharamshala, specially Dharamkot, McLeod Ganj and Naddi.

Dharamshala

The altitude of Dharamshala is between 1,065 m (3,494 ft) to 2,352 m (7,717 ft), which is interesting fact about this town. Dharamsala receives the highest rainfall, nearly about 3400 mm, in the Himachal Pradesh state. Dharamshala is surrounded by dense coniferous forest consisting mainly of Deodar, Pine, Oak, and Rhododendron trees.

Clock Tower at Sidhbari (or Sidhwari)....Dharamshala....

The suburbs include McLeod Ganj, Bhagsunag, Dharamkot, Naddi , ForsythGanj, Gamru, Tahu, Chohla, Kotwali Bazaar (the main market), Depot Bazaar, Jawahar Nagar,Sakoh, Sheela, khanyara, Chilgari, Kaccheri Adda, Barol, Darnoo, Dari, Ramnagar, Shyamnagar, Sidhpur, Rakkar, Fatehpur, and Sidhwari.

Maximus Mall and Gold Multiplex Cinema, Dharamshala

Dharamshala Bus Stand

View of sun set from Cant road near Kotwali Bazaar

Related posts...........
/ Bhagsunag / Brig Sher Jung Thapa MVC Park / Church of St. John / Dharamkot / Gallu / Gyuto Tantric Monastery / Leta Wali Mata Temple / McLeod Ganj / Naddi / Norbulingka Institute / Triund Campsite / Tushita Meditation Centre / War Memorial park /

Index.............

Monday

Sujanpur Tira: the Historic Town

Sujanpue Tira town, view from Sujanpur Tira Fort

The historic town of Sujanpur Tira is known for its fort-palace, now in ruins, built by Raja Sansar Chand. The Fort of Sujanpur Tira was originally built by Raja Abhay Chandra, in 1750, as a military Fort. In the reign of Raja Sansar Chandra (1765–1823) (the golden age of Kangra Kingdom) this fort gained renown through India, and was considered as one of the most beautiful palaces in the Himalayas. In 1905 this palace-fort was damaged by an earthquake.

Main Gate for Sujanpur Tira Fort

Market of Sujanpur Tira

Raja Sanar Chand Katoch- "Pahadi Badshah" the emperor of the hills

In mid-18th century, as the Mugal Empire began to crumble, the 16-year-old Sansar Chand, decided to take advantage of the weak central rule. Raja Sansar Chand had successfully established himself as a powerful ruler and was able to set a deal with Jai Singh (King of Jaisinghpur in Kangra Valley) and re-captured the Kangra fort in 1774. He had to give some plain territories to Jai Singh in return.
Sansar Chand quickly focused on the expanding his kingdom and conquered almost all neighboring regions, including Chamba, Mandi, Suket, Nahan, Bilaspur (present day regions in Himachal pradesh) all the way up to the border of Jammu.

All the defeated hill kings then sought help from Amar Singh Thapa, the Gurkha commander, and came together against Sansar Chand. They invaded Kangra with Gurkha troops and won the Kangra fort.
Faced with a terrible and embarrassing defeat, Sansar Chand went to Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab for help, while also continuing to negotiate with Gorkhas. In return for help against the Gorkhas, Sansar Chand promised Maharaja Ranjit Singh the Kangra fort and the surrounding 76 villages, while he would keep the rest of the kingdom for himself. He promised the same deal to Gorkhas to get them off his back. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was quick to catch on to Sansar Chand's plan to keep the Sikhs and Gorkhas fighting each other, while he ruled Kangra. (In 1809 for nearly a month a discussion went on at Jwalamukhi Temple between Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab and Raja Sanar Chand of Kangra)

Finally, the Sikhs cut off the supplies of the Gorkhas and defeat them. Ranjit Singh then demanded that Sansar Chand keep a part of his bargain. Caught by surprise at the turn of events, Sansar Chand tried to wriggle out of his promise. However, Maharaja Ranjit Singh took A nirudh Chand, Sansar Chand's son prisoner and marched into Kangra fort.

Finally, Sansar Chand lost almost all that he had. All he got from the Sikhs was a small personal estate in lieu of which he had to pay an annual tribute of Rs 2,00,000 to the Ranjit Singh.

The last days of Sansar Chand were spent in his estate in Sujanpur Tira in the Hamirpur district where he gave up his territorial ambitions and insted enjoyed the pleasures of a lavish court. Here he patronized poets and artists. The spectacular wall painting and temples of Sujanpur Tira are reminders of his life in exile.

ruin of fort

Sujanpur Tira town is also famous for the temples of Gauri Shankar, Murli Mabohar and Narbadeshwar. Narbadeshwar Temple is situated in Sujanpur town and was built by Rani(Queen) Prasanni Devi, the wife of Raja Sansar Chand. The temple is famed for its rich wall paintings that enhance the beauty of its walls. It is built in the Bhitti style of architecture.

Narbadeshwar Temple

Gauri Shankar temple

Wall painting on Gauri Shankar Temple

Sujanpur Tira is located on the bank of River Beas, at an average elevation of 562 metres (1,844 feet). In the middle of this beautiful town there is one square kilometer green ground popularly called in Pahari language 'Chaugan'. The largest ground of Himachal Pradesh which is made use of as a meeting place and also for sports activities. This town falls in district Hamirpur.

Sainik School Sujanpur Tira

In 1961, the idea of starting a chain of Sainik Schools as feeder institutions to NDA was envisaged by the then Defence Minister Mr V K Menon. The foundation of the school was laid by the then Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi in 1974 and finally Sainik School Sujanpur Tira (HP) was inaugurated by His Excellency Shri Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, the then President of India on 02 Nov 1978.