Cover Image Credit: Peak Px
Dalhousie is a small and popular hill station in the Dhauladhar Range in Himachal Pradesh. A favourite among tourists from all over the world, Dalhousie is a mesmerising town with magnificent buildings, churches and people who still live like it was the olden days. The legacy left behind by the British is quite noticeable in its architecture and atmosphere. Home of popular writers like Ruskin Bond, the town is surrounded by five hills.
Since the British era, there have been people living here from the Christian faith. The British also built some splendid churches in Dalhousie. These are not only visited by worshippers but also by tourists, who come here to check out the cultural and architectural legacy that the British have left behind. We are going to learn about some of these amazing churches in the next section.
5 Churches In Dalhousie
Here is a list of 5 amazing churches in Dalhousie that will give you the peace you rightly deserve from your trip:
1. St Francis’ Church, Court Road
2. St John’s Church
3. St Patrick’s Church, Mankote
4. St Patrick’s Church, Balun
5. St Andrews Church
1. St Francis’ Church, Court Road
The St Francis Church is one of the most popular and recognizable churches in Dalhousie. It was built in the Moti Tiba area way back in the year 1894. The church is built at the top of a small hill and looks down upon the surrounding area. As you ascend on your way to the church, you get the sense of a very relaxing and tranquil surrounding.
The church is decorated with dioramas and colourful murals and depict the life and tribulations of Jesus Christ. Holy mass is usually held in the mornings and evenings at around seven.
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2. St John’s Church
This British era Protestant church was built in the year 1863. It is the oldest church in Dalhousie and together with St Francis’ Church is considered as the most magnificent structures in the area. Nothing else in this hill station is a better example of the old world charm and traditional legacy. An interesting aspect to this church is the built in library within the church.
This library is a powerhouse of knowledge and holds a huge collection of artwork and books which document the cultural and historical changes that Dalhousie has gone through in the past.
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3. St Patrick’s Church, Mankote
The St Patrick’s Church is the largest church in Dalhousie. Built in 1909 under the British Raj, this church exudes Victorian era charm and elegance. It is quite close to the mousy little town’s taxi stand. People come here to mainly look at the architecture, of course, other than praying. The people can attend Holy Mass that takes place every day of the week.
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4. St Patrick’s Church, Balun
This is a smaller church compared to the above ones. This church is situated in Balun and must not be confused with the one in Mankote. It does not provide panoramic views of the surrounding snow covered sierras, however, it is operational and clean. It is visited by hundreds of people each week. The Holy mass is held twice each day and the church people are welcoming of people from every faith and background.
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5. St Andrews Church
This church is a magnificent structure and sits within a well maintained complex. The church building is clean and reminiscent of Victorian and Scottish architecture. It has a gorgeous facade and is said to have been built from materials brought down from Rome. The sheer beauty and calmness of the church complex and the surrounding hills make it that much easier to become spiritual.
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Tips To Remember When Visiting Churches In Dalhousie
Dalhousie is an old town and people here still live by old customs and traditions. The interesting thing is that this town has not lost its originality and character even in this modern era. There are a few things one must remember while visiting Dalhousie and its various churches. They are listed as follows:
- Make sure you wear appropriate clothing to these churches
- Do not shout or misbehave in the church premises
- It is also frowned upon to talk loudly as people here live a very quiet and simple life
- Make sure you contribute towards charity as it is expected of you
- Don’t be late to the Holy Mass
- Do not litter on church grounds or anywhere else for that matter as dalhousie is a very clean place
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So, there you go. The next time you plan a trip to Dalhousie, do not forget to explore its churches. They are a source of pride to the folks of the town and hence have been well maintained for so many years. We hope this guide to churches in Dalhousie is all you need to explore these centers for spirituality and prayers.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Churches In Dalhousie
Which is the best month to Dalhousie?
Dalhousie is best visited during Summer and Autumn months. However, it is advisable for you to visit the hill station during Christian holidays to witness the various churches in their full glory.
What is the decorum to be followed in churches?
Churches are places of worship. They are a place to get a grasp on individual spirituality. As a result, church premises are calm and quiet. Hence, it is advisable to be quiet and not talk loudly. The younglings also need to be told to be quiet and disciplined.
Is December a good time to visit Dalhousie?
Summer has to be the ideal time to visit Dalhousie as you can go outdoors and enjoy. However, Christmas can also be a good time to visit Dalhousie as the town is lit up in Christmas lights and exudes its Victorian era brilliance. The churches are decorated and full of activities for the public to go and enjoy.
Do people have to get involved in charity?
All charitable work carried out by churches is a voluntary exercise. No one will force you to take part in a charitable proceeding or frown upon you if you decide to stay away. It is the firm belief of people that charity should come from the heart in the name of the Lord.
What are the timings for Holy masses?
All the timings of churches are different for each church. However, it is common practice that Holy masses are held every weekend in the mornings or evenings.
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A graduate of Political Science, Gyana likes to explore by interacting with people and learning about their culture and traditions. He likes to eat, go places and talk about movies. A big fan of people and their pioneering spirit and an avid movie watcher, he is fascinated with world of imagination. He constantly seeks to grow and yearns to improvise with innovation that eventually provides solutions to problems.
