About Dharmshala

It is full of life and yet peaceful. It is the headquarters of the district and also houses the district administration and the secretariat during the winter session of the Himachal government. It was formerly known as Bhagsu. It has an average elevation of 1457 metres (4780 feet), covering an area of almost 8.51 km², in the form of twin settlement, lower Dharamsala (1380m) is a busy commercial centre, while upper Dharamsala (1830m) with the suburbs of Mcleodganj and Forsytheganj, retains a British flavor and colonial lifestyle. The charming church of St. John in the wilderness is situated here and this is the final resting place of Lord Elgin, a British Viceroy of India during the 19th century.