Dharamshala,May 21
Tourists visiting Himachal Pradesh’s popular hill destinations, Dharamshala and McLeodganj, to escape the intense heat in the plains are expressing disappointment as temperatures in the region remain unusually high for the season.
Visitors from several states said they had traveled to experience cool weather, but Dharamshala is currently recording temperatures between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius, reducing the expected relief. Many tourists from Gujarat and other states said their home regions are witnessing extreme heat between 40 and 44 degrees Celsius, yet the hill town has also been uncomfortably warm.
Tourists Surinder , Pankaj Kumar , Paresh, Reena Patel said that while Shimla and Manali continue to offer comparatively cooler conditions, Dharamshala appears to be warming up, affecting the overall travel experience during the peak tourist season.
Adding to the inconvenience, the road connecting Dharamshala and McLeodganj remains in poor condition. Vehicle operators said potholes along the stretch are causing damage to vehicles and affecting smooth movement during the busy tourist rush.
Despite the weather concerns, tourism activity remains steady. Hotel occupancy in McLeodganj is currently around 70 percent, according to tourism industry sources. With the upcoming Indian Premier League first qualifier scheduled on May 26 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, occupancy is expected to rise to around 90 percent due to increased tourist and cricket fan arrivals.
Tourism stakeholders said that Dharamshala continues to attract visitors from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and other states, especially during major sporting events.
Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is currently in McLeodganj, where religious activities are being held at the Tsuglagkhang Monastery, drawing devotees and visitors from across India and abroad.
Tourism operators added that May and June remain peak months for Dharamshala and McLeodganj, with tourist footfall expected to increase further in the coming days due to the IPL event and ongoing seasonal travel.
