Are you planning on spending the hot and humid summers in the cool mountains? But where do you get a chance to experience the divine beauty of nature and witness a new culture, both at the same time? The answer is Dharamsala. What could be a better option than the place famously known as “Tibet in Exile”, the home of the spiritual leader, Dalai Lama? A city located at the higher altitudes of Himachal Pradesh which is no less than a beautiful crown on the head of a queen. The city of Dharamsala is set with its celestial beauty in the upper reaches of Kangra Valley. Dharamsala is considered as one of the rainfall receiving areas.
The unique Tibetan culture breathing on this land of divine beauty is something you would definitely want to experience. Once here, you can stay either in Dharamsala or in McLeodganj, but the second option is preferable and convenient as it keeps you in close proximity to all the tourist attractions. Here are some nice places falling under your budget where could leave them heavy bags and let that explorer heart of yours out free in this heaven of a city.
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This place is a really nice stay if you want to stay close to the main square of McLeod Ganj. It is located on Jogiwara Road. The rooms are decent if you look at the price at which they are offered. The facilities include T.V. and free WIFI. What else do you need? A breathtaking view? They have got that too.
Having personally stayed at this place, I can assure you that this is one of the best options you have if you want a memorable stay in cheap. The rooms are clean and well maintained. If you are ready to dig a little deeper in your pocket, the hotel has other different types of rooms having better facilities. But from personal experience, the most basic type works perfectly. This place is close to the Bhagsu Temple and Bhagsu Falls which saves you from an arduous walk.
This place is probably the nearest option to the heart of Mcleodganj, the main square. Why is that so important? Because once you reach Mcleodganj after a long bus journey (Please make sure it is a bus journey), you will mostly be in a ravenous state. The closeness to the main square will help you find good eating places at a walking distance. The rooms are a bit more expensive than the first two options but are worth your money. Its central location is something that keeps this place booked all the time. So make sure you make your bookings in time
This is for the people who do not have money as a constraint and want to have a luxurious stay. The luxurious rooms are embellished by the beautiful view from the attached balconies. The hotel offers complimentary breakfast and has a restaurant of its own. How cool is that? The perfect location of the hotel near the Dalai Lama Temple adds to the reasons why this place is a perfect stay for people who do not mind a dent in their pockets.
Here is a list of 10 places you need to visit in the “Little Lhasa”
Are you a person whose idea of a vacation in hills is an adventurous trek? If yes, this is the place you should be at. Triund is a mountain peak situated at an altitude of 10,000 ft on the foothills of Dhauladhar Range. You have to trek for one day to reach this beautiful place. Have you ever thought what it is like to walk through the clouds? The trek to Triund peak starts from Mcleodganj, a small town located 12 kilometers away from Dharamsala. Once you reach the top after trekking for almost a day, tired from the every point of your body, the breathtaking view of Dhauladhar Range will fill you up with a new life.
You will find yourself standing so close to the mighty snow-capped Dhauladhar Range that you would just want to touch it. It would be the first time when you will feel yourself to be so close to nature. Away from the chaos of urban areas, this place seems to be one of the God’s favorites. At night, you will find yourself under the umbrella of the stars, with the warmth emanating from the flames of the bonfire. You wake up in the morning to find yourself surrounded by clouds, thinking if there could be a place more heavenly.
This is another trek that this place has in store for you. It is a little more difficult and arduous when compared to Triund, but isn’t that what makes a trek adventurous? The Kareri Lake is one of the most stunning lakes of Himachal Pradesh. What makes it more celestial is its source of water, which is the gigantic snow- capped Dhauladhar Range. The snow melts and flows all the way down to the lake. If you go during December or early April, you will find this lake frozen which is mesmerizing to watch.
Like every other place in this city, this church is also known for something special associated with it. This church is the last resting place of Lord Elgin who was the Governor General and Viceroy of India in 1861. In the memory of her husband, Lady Elgin donated the Belgian stained-glass windows for the church. Located amidst the greenery of dense forest, this church is truly an architectural masterpiece.
Built on one of the corners, this temple is the resting place your tired soul will need after roaming for hours in the crowded streets of Mcleodganj. This is the place where Dalai Lama addresses his followers. The unique architecture of the temple will leave you speechless.
This temple helps you understand Tibetan culture better, and makes you appreciate every bit of it. The temple is also a school for people who want to learn Buddhism. One thing that is going to attract your attention unfailingly is the prayer wheel. It is believed that if you rotate the prayer wheel once, it would be equivalent to chanting the Buddhist Mantra one hundred and thousand times.
Right next to the Buddhist temple is the Tibet Museum. It provides an insight into the Tibetan culture and the struggles faced by them. You will find yourself surrounded by beautiful paintings and photographs that will take you back in time when Tibet was under China’s oppression. The walls are covered with memoirs of the Tibetan leaders who sacrificed their lives for the independence of Tibetan culture. The sight of the last possessions of the political prisoners that have been kept in the museum to remind people about the treatment they were subjected to will give your goose bumps.
What is that one thing that makes any vacation complete? SHOPPING! After exploring this beautiful place and its culture, you would definitely want to take something back as a memory from this trip. The moment you will step in the market of Mcleodganj, you will realise why this place is called “The Little Lhasa”. You will find shops selling Tibetan artefacts in almost every corner of this place. From every kind of artificial jewellery to objects depicting Tibetan religious values, you will find everything. Apart from this, there are a number of Tibetan food joints to help you introduce your taste buds to a new cuisine. So show that foodie tummy some love and sharpen them bargaining skills.
If you follow IPL (Indian Premier League), there is very slim chance that you don’t know about this stadium. This stadium has hosted some great matches with the breathtaking view of the snow-capped Himalayan Mountains forming the background. For any cricket lover, a chance to watch a match in this one-of-a-kind stadium would be a once in a lifetime experience.
This institute is located at a place called Sidhpur, few kilometres away from Dharamsala city. The transportation services from Dharamsala make it very convenient for tourists to reach this place. The institute was founded in 1988 with the sole aim of preserving the Tibetan culture and to make sure that it never fades away. The place is beautifully constructed with every corner of it depicting the profound Tibetan culture and art forms. If you get intrigued by the unique culture after visiting Mcleodganj, this place will give you a deeper insight into it. Also, you will also find a handicapped lady sitting outside the institute selling some Tibetan artefacts from over ten years to make a living. See if you could spare some money and buy something from her.
Chamunda Devi Temple is located Shah Madar hills, opposite to the township, Mohalla Sapri, Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. The shrine was built by Raja Umed Singh in 1762. This temple can be reached by road from Chamba (3 kms). It lies on the right hand side of the Chamba-Jumahar road. With the Tibetan culture flowing through the air, this temple depicts how beautiful it is when two completely different cultures co-exist at one place. Chamunda Devi Temple is an important pilgrim destination for Hindus, dedicated to Chamunda Devi, a manifestation of Goddess Durga who killed demons like Chanda and Munda, according to Hindu mythology.
Kangra is a small town located near Dharamsala. The Kangra Fort is located on the outskirts of the city. It was built by the royal family of Kangra, but most of the part was destroyed due to an earthquake in 1905. The fort still attracts a large number of tourists every year due to its mysterious yet marvelous architecture. It also gives you a resplendent view of the beautiful Kangra valley.
Yes, you have an option of flying to this place, but I would suggest you take the road. If you have an option of driving your way, do yourself a favor, go for it. Let your mind be prostrated in front of the natural and scenic beauty this path beholds. Also, when you have an option of deciding your own stoppages on your way, it gives you a chance to visit the revered Jwaladevi Mandir which comes in the way. It is believed that the flame that is burning there perpetually does not have a source igniting it and is considered as a miracle. If you do not have an option of going by car, take a bus. Volvo services are available from both Delhi and Chandigarh.
Shopping
None of us can even imagine a holiday without shopping being a part of it. Especially when it comes to this place, shopping is something you do not want to miss out on. Nowhere else will you get a chance of buying authentic Tibetan handicrafts representing the profound and beautiful culture.
As soon as you make your way into the never ending streets of Mcleodganj market, you will find yourself surrounded by innumerable stalls selling possibly everything that Tibetan culture has to offer. Want to make it up to your girlfriend who is angry because you decided to go there with your friends? Congrats, this place will come to your rescue. You will find artificial jewelry design with inspiration from Tibetan culture at ridiculously cheap prices. Jute bags, crockery, bracelets, show pieces for the living room with designs which cannot be found anywhere else.
Best Time to Go There
The peak time when a maximum number of tourists is attracted is either between the months of May and July or in the months of December and January. You will find this place snow-capped if you visit in the months of December and January. The whole place looks like nature wraps itself in the sheets of beautiful white snow. The months of May, June, and July are ideal if you want to go for treks as they close them when it snows heavily.
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