Machhrial falls is near Dharamshala in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The waterfall is also close to McLeodganj. Dharamshala and McLeodganj are two exotic hill stations in the state. It is on the Dharamshala-Pathankot road in the Kangra valley near Rait.
History about Dharamshala
The places around Dharamshala were ruled by the Katoch kings, who are considered the oldest dynasty in the world. The place was annexed by the British in 1848 and a cantonment was established in Dharamshala. The place was actually the summer picnic spot of the British. The Chinese invaded Tibet in 1959 to quell the uprising by Dalai Lama who was against the Chinese invading their country.
Places to visit nearby
- Dharamshala: This is where the state administers. The place is a beautiful site and there are places left behind by the British worth a visit.
- McLeodganj: Known as the place for the Tibetan government in exile, the Dalai Lama, the supreme head of the Buddhists live here. The place is fondly called little Lhasa with a few monasteries and Buddhas’ statues
- Bhagsunag Lake: This is a spectacular lake with a waterfall near it. There is an old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva named the Bhagsunag Temple.
- Dal Lake: This lake is another beautiful one with fir and deodar trees crowded on its bank and about 10 km. from Dharamshala.
- Jwalamukhi Temple: This temple, where there is no idol, is a two-hour ride from Dharamshala. There is a blue flame in between rocks and is considered sacred by the Hindus.
- St. John’s Church: On the way to Forsytheganj from McLeodganj, the church is visible from the road. It is an old British Victorian styled church which has a stained Belgian glass window donated by the widow of Lord Elgin, one of the Viceroys of British India who was buried there. He had expressed his wish to be buried on the grounds as he was one of the creators of the town.
- There are many other ancient temples in Kalachakra, Triund, Kunal Pathri, Dharamkot, Kangra and many monasteries in between worth visiting.
Getting there
Machhrial waterfalls are 20 km from Dharamshala and 30 km. from McLeodganj. The nearest village is Rait which is 4 km. from the falls. The nearest airport is Gaggal airport which is about 15 km. from Dharamshala. The nearest railway station is in Kangra. The line links with the major railway station at Pathankot, 94 km. from Dharamshala. There are buses and taxies available at Pathankot. There is yet another narrow gauge line with a station at Chamunda Marg, which is half an hour away. Roads are well connected and there are buses that connect Delhi, Chandigarh and Shimla.
Best time to visit
The climate around the place is a humid subtropical climate. Summers are from April to June with the temperature peaking at 36-degree Celsius. The monsoons arrive in July and continue till mid-September. Autumn is pleasant from October till the end of November. The temperature at that time will be between 16-degree Celsius and 20-degree Celsius. Winter is between December till late February. This time there will be snow and sleet. Immediately after that is spring time till April. The best season to visit the falls is either during autumn or in spring when the Dauladhar mountains will be covered with snow and it will be pleasant otherwise.