By Atanu Das , Sr. Journalist, Ex-PTI
New Delhi, 4 May ,McLeodganj: Home of The Dalai Lama; A Prized destination indeed!
Rendezvous with the Tibetan Buddhist culture in Little Lhasa!
McLeodganj or Mcleodganj is a combination of spirituality, adventure, serenity and mesmerising beauty.
If you are lucky, you might get to meet the Dalai Lama!
Let me get you familiarised with a little bit of history and how the place got its name. Taking you back to the early 19th century, when India was under British rule, various settlements and cantonments were established. After the second Anglo- Sikh War, civilian settlements started establishing. McLeodganj got its name after David McLeod who was the then Lt. Governor of Punjab. Just when the town was acclaiming development, a horrendous earthquake with tremendous magnitude, 7.8 as recorded by the Richter scale, hit the town in April 1905. Most of the town was destroyed. Approximately twenty thousand people lost their lives and thousands were injured and homeless.
Much sorrowed feeling the intent of devastation.
The 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso, the receipt of The 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, took shelter in India. He played a major role in restoring the place.
McLeodganj is home to many Buddhist monasteries. Thereafter, Mcleodganj steadily evolved into a pilgrimage and one of the most sought after tourist destinations. You will find tourists from all over the world. McLeodganj is nothing less than a paradise…a heaven for all nature and adventure lovers. The peace and serenity of this wonderful place will automatically make you spiritual. The environment will make you close your eyes and inhale deep with a smile on your face. You will get a soul – cleansing feeling. Stress and negativity just vanishes. Do come and experience for yourselves friends.
McLeodganj is also the starting point for a number of treks, where you can engulf yourself in the mystic environs. The most famous and favourite is the Triund trek; can be categorised as an easy to moderate trek. It’s a short trek of 3-4 hours one way. You will be mesmerized by the beauty of the place. You will see the most astonishing sights, the ever changing mood and colour of the Dhauladhar range.
The climax of this adventure is witnessing the sunset from the summit. Expressing in mere words is not easy. The picturesque view of the Kangra Valley, the snow capped Dhauladhar range will take your breath away.
Those of you who enjoy adventure can trek further to Indrahar Pass from Triund. But before approaching further know that this is a difficult one.
Do not miss the Bhagsu Nag Falls. This trek is easy. Enjoy the waterfall nestled amidst the green hills of Mcleodganj. The other popular treks are Kareri Lake Trek, Thatharana trek. The mountainous region with Oak, Deodar and Rhododendron forests makes Mcleodganj a favourite of the trekkers.Thatharana trek is about 5 kms, with a magnificent 360 degrees view of the Kangra Valley. A thrilling and one of the best unexplored trek, not much crowded either. Though, the trek is not very easy and it can be a little tiring too. It is rightly said that the best views come after the hardest climb.
McLeodganj, being home to Dalai Lama and Tibetan settlements is highly influenced by their culture. It’s also noteworthy that Tibet’s exiled government is solely based here; hence also called the Little Lhasa. You will also notice british influence here.
Some of the most eminent and religiously significant monasteries in India are located here, which includes the famous Namgyal Monastery and Tsuglagkhang, where the Dalai Lama resides. The most famous museum here is the Tibetan Museum, which is located in the Tsuglagkhang complex.
Apart from monasteries, you will find many ancient temples in this region. You can visit the Chinmaya Tapovan and the Osho Retreat Center. Do visit Bhagsu Nag Temple, when you are here.
St. John, in the wilderness is an Anglican Church built in the neo Gothic style is definitely worth a visit. The Naam Art Gallery is another good place to go. Please note that this gallery remains closed on Mondays.
You can also enjoy viewing the paintings in the Tsuglagkhang complex.
If you are lucky, you might get to meet the Dalai Lama.
Do keep Dharamkot and Dharamshala in your itinerary.
McLeodganj basically thrives on tourism. You can buy Tibetan artifacts like prayer Thangkas, metal prayer wheels, bronze statues, garments,etc.
The main shopping areas are Jogibara road, Temple road and Bhagsu road. The shops are open from 8 in the morning to 8 in the evening. You can enjoy watching the weavers in action. Newly arrived Tibetan refugees are employed for weaving carpets. You can buy authentic hand – woven carpets from the Tibetan Handicrafts Cooperative Center, located in Jogibara road. You will be happy to know that bargaining is acceptable in most of the shops here, and may gain a bargain and go back home happy.
The tourists visiting Mcleodganj in the month of May, can visit the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts. Here they hold a ten day festival of theatrics, music and dance.
Actually Mcleodganj is such a place where everyone can enjoy. If history or religion or adventure does not excite you, you can just sit and relax or visit the bookshops, cafes and museums; or you may take a leisurely stroll in this calm and beautiful town.
Attention foodies:
Here’s something for everyone. You will find numerous food joints and restaurants in Mcleodganj. Right from international cuisines to Indian. There are coffee bars on Temple road and cafes on Jogibara road are bar-cum-restaurants which serves you good veg and non veg dishes. There bars are well stocked too. Vegetarians can go Jogibara road. You get Japanese cuisine too. For delicious pizzas, go to Pema Thag Pizzeria on Bhagsu road. For yummy Tibetan snacks like momos, thupkas you will find some restaurants in Jogibara road. Again, in Jogibara road you will find restaurants serving Chinese, Continental and Indian cuisines. Restaurants are generally open from 8 am to 10 pm.
The weather is good all round the year but it’s best to avoid traveling to Mcleodganj during the monsoon months of July and August due to heavy rainfall and landslides. McLeodganj is definitely a winter favourite among tourists and one of a lifetime experiences filled with adventure, spirituality and tranquility.
Best time to visit visit Mcleodganj is from October to March, though this is the peak season with maximum crowd but you can enjoy the snow with exquisite views. From April to June the weather is pleasant and not that crowded.
Also keep in mind that mobile network is not good during treks and completely vanishes once you reach the summit.
Homestays, hotels from reasonably cheap to star category, resorts with best views, you will get whatever suits your pocket.
How to reach Mcleodganj – Pathankot is the nearest broad gauge railway station, about 90 kms from Mcleodganj. It takes around 6-7 hours by road from Chandigarh and overnight journey from Delhi. Buses both luxury and ordinary are available from Delhi. Also Himachal State buses ply to Mcleodganj from various parts of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. Buses are one of the most pocket friendly Mcleodganj, Kangra
Himachal Pradesh.
