Dharamshala, an important city in Himachal Pradesh, is the administrative headquarters of the Kangra District. As the very name implies, Dharamshala enamours in spiritual richness. The place has a long colonial history. Even beyond that, Dharamshala is said to be ruled by a dynasty, the Katoch Dynasty, which is renowned to be the oldest royal family in the entire world.
Dharamshala is an important seat of Tibetan learning and culture, as His Holiness the Dalai Lama was granted refuge in McLeod Ganj near here by the then Prime Minister of India Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Thus, McLeod Ganj developed into the Government-in-exile for the thousands of Tibetans who still live here. The place has come to be known as Little Lhasa, because of its Tibetan predominance.
Dalhousie and Khajjar are two places that you are surely going to fall in love with. If you are looking for natural beauty, ambience and culture, all packed in a single unit, Dalhousie is the place to be. A beautiful place surrounded by forests, mountains on all sides, Dalhousie is ideal for family trips as well as for honeymooners.
Dharamshala for the Weekend
If you are not totally alien to terms like prayer wheels, thangkas, pagodas and stupas, then Dharamshala tourcan be really enjoyable, as it is one of the greatest seats of Buddhist learning and spirituality in the country.
Everywhere in the city, you will find colourful flags of the Tibetans, making the place look like being under an eternal rainbow. The pleasant sound of bells ringing from the monasteries and the prayer wheels making chiming sounds, fill you up with a calm and peace of mind that you have never experienced before. You can explore all that you want about the Tibetan life and history from the Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture. Overall, a great escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the urban zoo.
McLeod Ganj for the Adventure
To make your trip a beautiful balance between spiritual bliss and great adventure, you can set off on a trekking trip from McLeod Ganj to Triund. You are guaranteed some of the most breath-taking views of the valleys and the hills on this trip. The steep gradient and the narrow ways through the mountains can only be negotiated by the physically fit and energetic individuals. Soon you will reach the “Magic View Mountain,” the highest point on the hill and be offered a superb view of the Kangra Valley below.
Dalhousie for the Beauty and Enchantment
Presenting some awesome locales and terrific views of green all around, Dalhousie can be an ideal place to visit on a weekend trip, or as a part of the Dalhousie McLeod Ganj Dharamshala trip. The weather is just right for enjoying a pleasant walk through the pine and deodar forest alleys. You can visit the St. Francis Church, which is close to the Subhash Chowk. Wherever in Dalhousie you decide to take a walk, you are sure to be enchanted with natural beauty and enchanting views.
