Its a fine sunny winter morning at McLeodganj, India, in the month of December, a few more days and the city would be snowclad. The warmth of the bright sunshine passing through the chilly winds, feels good and comforting to the skin.The quaint town somehow appears to be more beautiful in the winters.
The peace radiating from the Tibetan residents here, who peacefully chant the mantras like 'Om Mani Padme Hum' or turn the prayer wheels with a warm smile, completely hides the brutal past and harrowing experiences they faced during the annexation of Tibet by the Chinese and their violent crackdown on the Tibetans in 1959 [CNN on Tibet-China Tussle].
McLeodganj is an area that is part of a town called Dharamshala, in Himachal Pradesh. It is home to a lot of Tibetans living in exile, after fleeing from their homeland Tibet.
The warm beautiful smiles of old buddhist ladies turning the prayer wheels in their hands or counting the beads of their rosaries, little kids playing around a monastery, the crowded busy streets with vegetable vendors, small shops selling woollens, prayer flags, trinkets, lucky charms and whatever that has a reflection of Buddhist culture are sure to catch the eyes of a tourist taking a walk in the busy streets of McLeodganj. 
The small Tibetan restaurants, many with names derived from buddhist texts, offer healthful food at a very reasonable price. Europeans, Canadians, Americans and nationals from other parts of the world form the crowds of international tourist that can be seen on the roads.
Travel operators are busy explaining the tourist about the various places
of interest for which taxis can be hired.
The Buddha temple, Tibetan monastery, Church of St. John in the Wilderness, Bhagsunag temple, Dal Lake at Naddi, and a view from Talnoo-one of the high points, are the usual tourist spots.
Visitors may also be very lucky to meet His Holiness, the Dalai Lama or
the young monk Karmapa, at the public audience they give from time to time.
From recent times public audiences to His Holiness The Dalai Lama have become very rare due to his health reasons and should not be expected now without a prior appointment and legal clearances that are mandatory.
From recent times public audiences to His Holiness The Dalai Lama have become very rare due to his health reasons and should not be expected now without a prior appointment and legal clearances that are mandatory.
How to reach McLeodganj, Dharamsala?
Dharamsala is well connected to adjoining districts but the most common route for a traveller is to reach Pathankot which is connected by rail, road and air routes from New Delhi, the capital of India. Lower Dharamshala is 90 Kms from Pathankot and is approximately a 3 hrs and 30 mins bus/taxi ride.
After reaching Dharamsala, the first time visitor should get all the information from:
Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, Mcleodganj, Upper Dharamshala.
Phone:
International Dial: 0091-1892-221205
From India: 01892-221205
Geography of Dharamsala
Dharamsala is a small town in northern India at the foothills of the Himalayas, situated in the Kangra district of the state called Himachal Pradesh. It became the capital of the Kangra district in 1852. Kangra is in the western part of Himachal Pradesh. The Kangra district is surrounded by other districts, namely Chamba, Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu, Mandi, Hamirpur and Una.
Dharamsala is divided into two regions called the Upper Dharamsala and the Lower Dharamsala. The distance by road between the two is around 9 kms and the altitude difference is around 460 metres.
McLeodganj falls in Upper Dharamsala. The town is amidst the 'Dhauladhar Mountain Range' and the altitude of this region varies from 1250 metres to 2000 metres. This region has coniferous forests, tea plantations and has a lot of beautiful Pine and Deodar trees among other timber yielding varieties. There are some very good treks from here to Triund,(3350 metres, referred as Snow-Line trek), Inderhara pass (4,300 metres) and to some other mountains of the Dhauladhar range.
The area covered by Dharamsala is 28.81 sq. km. During the months of December and January, snowfall is common and the temperature ranges from 0°C to 14.5°C. During summers, the temperature ranges from 22°C to 38°C. Best seasons to visit are from March to June or `September to November.
Religion, Science or Philosophy ? Some more blogs you may like to read:
1. Another Tibetan establishment in India : http://prayerflagsindia.blogspot.com/
2. In Spite of the Gods (Text Book Gods) : http://textbookgods.blogspot.com/
3. The Legend of the Hindu Goddess Durga : http://thelegendofdurga.blogspot.com/
How is the weather in Dharamsala today?
Check out the widget below.
Dharamsala is well connected to adjoining districts but the most common route for a traveller is to reach Pathankot which is connected by rail, road and air routes from New Delhi, the capital of India. Lower Dharamshala is 90 Kms from Pathankot and is approximately a 3 hrs and 30 mins bus/taxi ride.After reaching Dharamsala, the first time visitor should get all the information from:
Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, Mcleodganj, Upper Dharamshala.
Phone:
International Dial: 0091-1892-221205
From India: 01892-221205
Geography of Dharamsala
Dharamsala is a small town in northern India at the foothills of the Himalayas, situated in the Kangra district of the state called Himachal Pradesh. It became the capital of the Kangra district in 1852. Kangra is in the western part of Himachal Pradesh. The Kangra district is surrounded by other districts, namely Chamba, Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu, Mandi, Hamirpur and Una.Dharamsala is divided into two regions called the Upper Dharamsala and the Lower Dharamsala. The distance by road between the two is around 9 kms and the altitude difference is around 460 metres.
McLeodganj falls in Upper Dharamsala. The town is amidst the 'Dhauladhar Mountain Range' and the altitude of this region varies from 1250 metres to 2000 metres. This region has coniferous forests, tea plantations and has a lot of beautiful Pine and Deodar trees among other timber yielding varieties. There are some very good treks from here to Triund,(3350 metres, referred as Snow-Line trek), Inderhara pass (4,300 metres) and to some other mountains of the Dhauladhar range.
The area covered by Dharamsala is 28.81 sq. km. During the months of December and January, snowfall is common and the temperature ranges from 0°C to 14.5°C. During summers, the temperature ranges from 22°C to 38°C. Best seasons to visit are from March to June or `September to November.
Religion, Science or Philosophy ? Some more blogs you may like to read:
1. Another Tibetan establishment in India : http://prayerflagsindia.blogspot.com/
2. In Spite of the Gods (Text Book Gods) : http://textbookgods.blogspot.com/
3. The Legend of the Hindu Goddess Durga : http://thelegendofdurga.blogspot.com/
How is the weather in Dharamsala today?
Check out the widget below.
