WelcomHeritage Taragarh Palace, Palampur

Dharamsala (60 km)
This hill resort climbs up the hill from 1250 to 2000m. This colourful Tibetan township has the newly-built Gelugpa monastery and a school for Tibetan culture with an excellent library. Tibetan crafts and food stalls are readily available everywhere.

Mcleodgunj, Upper Dharamsala (65kms)
At a height of 1,770m, little Lhasa, as it is often referred to, is the residence of the exiled Dalai Lama with a large settlement of Tibetan Buddhists who sought refuge here in the year 1960.
   
Norbulingka Institute, Dharamshala
Norbulingka, in a delightful setting of little streams and bridges, was established to preserve and teach the ancient Tibetan arts. Here one can watch wooden carvings and embroidery being done.

Kangra Art Museum, Dharamshala
Kangra Valley's arts, crafts and artifacts dating back to the 5th century.

Losel Doll Museum, Dharamshala
140 minutely executed replica characters depicting intricately crafted traditional costumes of Tibet with accuracy and authenticity.

Triund
17 km from Dharamshala in the foothills of the Dhauladar range, Triund is a popular picnic spot at a height of 2827 m.

Kangra Fort (55km)
Built about 1000 years ago on the confluence of the Banganga and Manjhi rivers, the fortifications with its high ramparts stretches over a periphery of about 4kms.

Uttrala (20 km)
The Binwa Power Project site with its waterfall is a picturesque picnic spot that is approached over a 45 minute scenic drive from Taragarh. On request, packed lunch or tea can be provided for the guests.

Tashijong monastery (3 km)
One of the several built after the Dalai Lama settled in the region, Tashijong also promotes arts like carpet weaving, tangkha painting and block printing and runs a school for young Tibetan children.

Sherabling Monastery
While the original Sherabling was located in Kham, Eastern Tibet, this one has been built near the town of Bir, following the principles of the ancient science of geomancy.

Palampur: (11kms)
Palampur, at 1219m is an unspoilt town, situated on a plateau with the dramatic Neugal chasm of the Bundla stream cutting across at one edge. It is surrounded by green tea estates and forests of pine and Deodhar on the higher slopes.

Barot (67 km)
The reservoir of the power project is located here, and there is a Trout Breeding Centre, making it an ideal location for angling. Across the river Uhl is the Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary home of the ghoral, Himalayan black bear and a variety of pheasants. It is a 2.5 hours scenic drive from Taragarh and on request packed lunch or tea can be arranged for the guests.

Bir
The Dirru Sakya Monastery, seat of His Eminences Dungyud Tulku Rinpoche and Gyalsay Tulku Rinpoche, is located here.

Masroor Rock temple
Fifteen richly carved monolithic rock temples sculpted in the splendid style of the Kailash temple at Ellora, and dating back to the 8th century are to be found at Masroor, just 15 km south of Kangra. Images of Ram , Sita and Lakshman can be found in the sanctum of the main temple.

Andretta (17km)
This charming village was once home to the artist Sobha Singh and the playwright Norah Richards. The Andretta Pottery Society specializes in ethnic clay pottery and holds classes for students.

Sobha Singh Art Gallery
Sobha Singh, a Sikh artist lived here in the 1950s and 60s and later became known for his paintings of the romantic legends of Sohni Mahiwal and Hir Ranja and other religious paintings. Most of his original work is still displayed here.

Temples

Baijnath temple (5km)
This ancient Shiva temple is one of the oldest in the country and is believed to date back to the epic Mahabharata. The Baijnath is supposed to be one of the twelve 'Jyotirlingas' and is thronged with pilgrims at the festival of Shivratri.

Jwalamukhi temple (102 km)
For centuries, the temple of Jwalamukhi, has been considered amongst the most sacred in northern India. There is no idol in this temple, and the constantly burning flame is considered a manifestation of the goddess.

Chamunda Devi temple (30 km)
Located on the banks of the Baner river, in the village of Dadh, is the temple dedicated to Goddess Chamunda who, it is believed, has the power to grant the wishes of those who worship here. Behind the temple is a cave where a natural stone 'lingam' is worshipped as a manifestation of Shiva.

Brijeshwari Temple, Kangra
It is believed that this temple was pillaged of immeasurable wealth by Mohammed of Ghazni in 1009. Destroyed completely in 1905 by an earthquake, it was rebuilt in 1920 and continues to be thronged by pilgrims.

Chintpurni Temple (140 kms)
The goddess Chintpurni is represented by a stone idol. A fair is held here around August and it lasts for around 10 days. This temple draws pilgrims and tourists alike in droves.

Shrine of Bhagsunath (71 kms)
The hot springs of this famous and sacred shrine is considered to have powerful healing properties.