Dalhousie: A Victorian Retreat

[Asawari Ghatage]

Dalhousie is famous for being the then retreat for the British troops and the officials due to the pleasant weather it offered. The hill station which is presently in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh was named after Lord Dalhousie, a British Governor General in 1854. The hill station is surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of the Dhauladhar mountain range of the Himalayas and sees a large number of tourists in the summer.

Enjoy the spectacular scenery and the weather of the hill station during your visit here. Book cab in Amritsar to explore the beautiful hill station of Dalhousie and the reflection of British influence in the architecture, cuisine and the lifestyle of the region.

St. John’s Church

The St. John’s Church was established in the Victorian era by Protestant missionaries. Located 2 km from the bus stand, the church stands against a natural backdrop that draws the attention of a lot of tourists. The Church also has a sizeable collection of books pertaining to the history and geography of the region which may be of interest to history enthusiasts. Although the architecture of the Church is crumbling due to its age, regular prayer services are still held here.

St. Patrick’s Church

Built in 1909, this church boasts of a serene atmosphere within its intricately carved sublime interiors. The Church is nested in an area surrounded by pine trees offering it a rustic charm and can appeal to many.

St. Francis Church

One of the most beautiful churches to adorn the region, the St. Francis Church was built in 1894 with funding from the army officials and the citizens of Dalhousie. The church is constructed with stone structures and boasts of an intricate wooden roof and colorful Belgium glass that adds spark to the architecture.

The Three Malls

These are circular roads that were laid in the early 1860s for carriages, promenades, horses, etc, and still, form the lifeline of the place. Popular among tourists, most of the activities and commercial markets of the area are around these malls. They are located on three hills, the Potreyn, Moti Tibba and Bakrota. The malls around Moti Tibba and Potreyn are the most famous and appear in the form of figure 8. These malls also offer a stunning view of the Himalayan range.

Architecture in Dalhousie

Due to a substantial population of the British army and officials using it as their go-to summer retreat during the British era, the architecture in Dalhousie has a striking influence of the Victorian style of architecture. The mansions and the houses that were built in that era are still available for the tourists to explore and some to stay in, as they have been transformed into luxury resorts.

Khajjiar

A trip to Dalhousie is incomplete without a visit to Khajjiar. Located 21km from the hill station, Khajjiar has the reputation of being called ‘Mini Switzerland’ due to its scenic landscape and reflection of the colonial era. The Khajjiar Lake, Daikund Peak, Panchpula, etc are some of the popular sites that can be explored on your visit to this place.

Explore the architecture sight of the colonial era on your visit to Dalhousie. A Pathankot taxi service will be the best way to plan a trip to this scenic hill station.