Located in northwestern India, Dharamshala has always been a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims for its picturesque surroundings and cool mountain air. But the Dalai Lama’s home at the foot of the Himalayas is not only attractive for countless visitors, but also huge traffic flows. In order to relieve the mountain roads, which are reaching their capacity limits, the perfect answer was the construction of the 8-passenger "Dharamshala" gondola lift by LEITNER. The installation has been in operation since January, ensuring a comfortable, trouble-free and above all fast journey to the heart of Tibetan Buddhism.
Also known as "Little Lhasa," the region includes the economic center of Lower Dharamshala and the pilgrimage center of Upper Dharamshala, five kilometers away at an altitude of 1,830 meters above sea level. The connection between the two areas is increasingly burdened by massive traffic congestion due to the high number of visitors. While small vehicles reach the upper part of the village via a short but steep road, cars, trucks and buses have to use a nine-kilometer long winding road. While this journey takes as little as 25 minutes on low-traffic days, travel time during periods of heavy visitor traffic - such as weekends or those days when the Dalai Lama is in Dharamshala - even reaches several hours.
A ropeway as an emergency brake and tourism attraction
Reason enough for the local administration to pull the emergency brake and at the same time seize the opportunity for a sustainable and effective realignment. With the construction of the 8-passenger gondola lift from Lower Dharamshala to Upper Dharamshala, the tradition-steeped pilgrimage site is focusing on environmentally friendly innovation and maximum functionality. Opened on January 19, 2022, the facility reduces travel time to five minutes and transports up to 1,000 people per hour. A total of 24 cabins along the 1,775-meter route ensure that the flow of visitors keeps moving smoothly and without delays. This not only increases comfort for visitors but also improves the quality of life for locals. The ideal positioning of the lift also makes a huge contribution. While the valley station is located near a bus stop, the top station is just 300 meters from the Dalai Lama's residence.
Attractions besides the Dalai Lama
With the gondola lift, Dharamshala has also created the optimal infrastructure to ensure the most barrier-free access possible to the famous sights, even away from the hustle and bustle around the Dalai Lama's residence and temple. Whether a visit to the Kalachakra Temple, the Tibet Museum or a hike to the popular Triund Hill: Rapid transportation by ropeway creates real and environmentally friendly added value in the diverse tourism and pilgrimage region.
