One of the dharmshalas has been built by Mr. Prayag Dutt Dhasmana who was better known as ?Lakhpatiji?. He belonged to village Toli which is about 10 km. from Tarakeshwar. Lakhpatiji was a Civil Engineer by profession and was posted in the British Army in Mandalay in Burma where he bought a ticket of the Derby horse race. It is said that he won a few lakhs as the prize money on that ticket. After that he returned to India and settled in his village Toli. It is said that he had a dream in 1904 in which he was directed to build a temple in the spot where it is today. At that time there was a Shiva Ling and a few ruins there. He built the present structure of the temple and since he felt that at times it was difficult for the people to return to their villages on the same day he built the dharmshala which at that time had a modest two or three rooms.
His younger brother Kishori Lal who became a monk and adopted the name of "Swami Rama" was known for his spiritual attainments and contribution to popularise Yoga, built some more rooms in the dharmshala. Subsequently, other members of the family including Swami Hariharanandji added a few more rooms to the meditation centre. The current meditation centre was earlier a hut in which an ascetic named Swami Maheshwari Dass lived. Swami Rama renovated it and made a few additional rooms for people to stay. He used to run a free kitchen here which would provide tea and food to the devotees who came to Tarakeshwar. After the demise of Swami Maheshwari Dass, Swami Hariharanandji continued the tradition for the upkeep of the meditation centre and the kitchen. Swami Rama and Swami Hariharanandji brought many of their international students to Tarakeshwar where they were taught yoga and meditation.
Another dharmshala has been built by Capt Jianand Dhasmana also of Toli Village. His family members still continue to manage it. It earlier consisted of two rooms. This year two more rooms have been added to this dharmshala. The priest of the Tarakeshwar temple also stays in this dharmshala.
For those who would like to spend their time in meditation or enjoy the bountiful tranquillity and natural beauty of Tarakeshwar it is recommended that they stay in the dharmshalas or meditation centre. There is no system of advance booking the rooms because as a tradition everyone is accommodated to stay for the night and share the facilities in the dharmshalas.
In severe cold conditions the dharmshalas provide stoves for burning wood to warm the rooms. People can collect pine cones for burning in the stoves. The pine cones are found in plenty above the dharmshalas. The workers also provide wood for burning.
Campers can pitch there tents at several spots in the area if they would not like to stay in the dharmshalas. Even this experience is enjoyable.
Alcohol and narcotic substances are strictly prohibited in the Tarakeshwar temple complex which starts from the parking lot and includes the deodar grove, meditation centre and the dharmshalas.
For tourists who want hotel type facilities it is recommended that they stay in hotels and resorts in Lansdowne about 40 km. away from where they can make a day trips to Tarakeshwar. In Lansdowne there are Fairydale Hotel, GMVN Hotel, Blue Pine Resort and some more hotels where advance booking can be made.
