- Altitude
- About 1,970 metres
- Founded
- 1854
- Best time
- March to June; December to February for snow
- Nearest railway station
- Pathankot (about 80 km)
- Distance from Khajjiar
- About 20 km
- Language
- Hindi, Chambeali, Punjabi, English
The town and its setting
The five hills are Kathlog, Potreyn, Terah, Bakrota and Bhangora, linked by winding roads. Gandhi Chowk and Subhash Chowk are the two main squares, and the level Garam Sadak and Thandi Sadak walks connect them. St John's Church (1863) and St Francis Church are the best-preserved colonial buildings. Local life is shaped by Pahari communities such as the Gaddis, and there is also a Tibetan presence around the town.
Places to visit
Khajjiar, about 20 km away, is an open meadow ringed by deodar forest with a small lake in the middle; it is often called the 'Mini Switzerland of India'. On the way lies the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, good for gentle forest walks. Dainkund Peak is the highest point near town and gives wide views on a clear morning, and Chamera Lake, formed by a dam on the Ravi, offers boating.
- Khajjiar
- Dainkund Peak
- Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chamera Lake
- Panchpula
- Satdhara springs
- Subhash Baoli
- Bakrota Hills
- St John's Church
- Ganji Pahari
Food and shopping
Look for Himachali dishes such as madra, a curry of chickpeas or beans cooked in yoghurt, siddu, a steamed stuffed bun eaten with ghee, and the festive dham meal served on leaf plates. Momos and thukpa are easy to find near Gandhi Chowk. Woollen shawls and embroidered Chamba rumals make good souvenirs.
Best time to visit
March to June brings mild days and is the busiest season for families. The monsoon, July to mid-September, is wet and landslides can disrupt roads. From December to February it is cold, with a few days of snow each winter, which some travellers come specifically to see. Book hotels early for May, June and the Christmas–New Year period.
How to reach
Pathankot is the nearest railhead, around 80 km away, and also has a small airport; Kangra (Gaggal) airport is another option. From Pathankot the road climbs through Banikhet to Dalhousie in about three hours. Many travellers combine Dalhousie with Dharamshala, Chamba and Amritsar, and we can plan such a circuit.
Also nearby
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