Dharamshala: A Religious Trip! ;)

There are always some dreams you have in your life which you wish would come true someday. I always believe that whenever we dream we should think of the best we can achieve. This trip was one of mine.

It all started with a little bit of google-ing for the schedule of the India England cricket series which was to be held in the month of January 2013. The moment my eyes fell on the venue of the final match, my eyes lit up. It was Dharamshala!! A long pending dream was about to be fulfilled.

Well, by reading the title of the post, you all might have been misguided, but for me it was truly going to be a religious trip. A quick check for the tickets and a couple of travel bookings I was all set for an experience of a lifetime. Being a true follower of cricket, (consider it as my religion! And I believe that it’s the only religion that unites our country.) this was truly going to be awesome!

Dharamshala City (Akshay Badkar Photography)

Dharamshala is a small town in the state of Himachal Pradesh, mostly known to people as the place where ‘The Dalai Lama’ lives, is the headquarters of the Central Tibetan Administration. It houses a large population of Tibetan refugees. Not many know and not many can imagine that it houses a cricket stadium of international standards. In fact, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association stadium is the highest (in terms of altitude) cricket stadium in the world! Yeah!!

HPCA Stadium (Akshay Badkar Photography)

But that isn’t the best part. The best part of this stadium is that it is situated at the foot of the mighty Dhauladhar range of mountains which are snow clad throughout the year!! So cricket lovers, imagine this, snow clad mountains on one side and a lush green cricket field on the other! HEAVEN!! :D

Dharamshala can be reached by various modes, nearest airport being at Gaggal and the nearest narrow gauge train station is the Kangra Valley Station. Numerous overnight buses by state transport ply to this place from New Delhi. Places to see around are plenty which include temples, churches etc, McLeodGanj being famous among the tourists.

Dhauladhar Range (Akshay Badkar Photography)

As the literal translation of the name “Dharamshala” indicates it to be a place of spiritual dwelling, this place does have that feel of its own. Though India lost the match,(but were winners of the series ;) details here) this trip was an out of the world experience!

The mandatory FB Check In ;)

A MUST visit!! :)

P.S.: The temperature that day was about 3 degree Celsius. :) Pretty 'cool' isn't it? ;)

Cheers!!