You either are on the “mountains” holiday like most travellers would call it or you probably have taken a stroll here after visitng the Dalai Lama at Dharamsala down the hill. Either ways, Mcleod ganj is a good stop for the india tripper.
Brief History
Named after David McLeod, McLeodganj and Dharamshala became renowned places for commerce, trade and tourism. The British would bring their families to spend the summers here. It became their favorite vacation destination. However, the township was destroyed by an earthquake in 1905. The town never revived from the calamities after that but it remained a vacation destination until independence in 1947. McLeodganj once again created its spell after the Dalai Lama started the exile Tibetan government’s administrative headquarters here. It became the hub of Buddhism learning and a pilgrimage center. It is also the hub of Tibetan culture and tradition that is brought here by the Tibetan refugees who settled here.
dharamsala
McLeod Ganj also known as upper Dharamsala is the most Tibetan of places in India. Norbulingka Institute, a short rickshaw ride from the market is a must visit because it is the center for training of traditional Tibetan arts and crafts. You can watch the craftsmen at work. The Tibetan Institute for Performing Arts (TIPA) is another place to learn about the traditional Tibetan dance and opera. There are several monasteries where you can train yourself to practice Buddhism. You have to be lucky to see the Dalai Lama when he makes one of his not so common public speeches.
norbulingka
Eat
One can find many cafes which have “backpacker” friendly menus and terraces for the pot happy neohippies. Tibetian hipsters run a bunch of eateries, espresso bars, thukpa (noodle soup) diners. There is one close to authentic Korean kimbab joint up the hill from the main market.
pics courtesy fillcircleline
If you would like a bit of the himalaya climbing experience, then do the Triund trek. Depending on your fitness level, it takes one whole day to go up and come back from this trek. Amazing light shows on the peaks at sunrise and sunset.
Stay at the Pema Thang guest house, run by a friendly tibetan family. Top floor rooms overlooking the valley are more pricey than the lower ones. The Guest House & Restaurant is comfortable and clean and is spread in the ambiance of pine trees, tucked in a quiet side street, with a magnificent view of the Kangra Valley.
kangra valley view from pema thang
Top Floor – Rs.1155 Street Level – Rs.1045 1st Floor – Rs. 935 Ground Level – 825
pema thang restaurant
Pema Thang Guest House:
McLeod Ganj, India
Hotel Bhagsu Road
Mcleod Ganj — 176219 Dharamsala
Disst. Kangra (H.P.) India
pema thang room
Email: pemathangguesthouse@gmail.com
Telephone: 91+01892+221 871 / 9218402718 / 221 991
Manager: Mr. Sonam Dorjee, Mobile : 091-9418866390
website here