Venue: Dharmashala / McLeodganj
Date: 29 March 2016
Come any long weekend – or leaves at work – or sting of summer in NCR – or sheer wanderlust – we find ourselves heading to the hills of Himachal or Uttarakhand. In this process we have covered Kasauli, Mussorie, Dharmashala, Chail, Nainital, Dalhousie etc.
Dharmashala is a combo of mountains, pleasant weather, history, religion, architecture, art, politics as well as foreign affairs and did we mention great food and lotto party. Given this heady mix, even after multiple visits, this place beckons us all the time.
We fell for its charm again and recently visited Dharmashala again and thought of sharing the following suggestions:
1. Mc Leodganj is the seat of the Tibetan Government- in- Exile. Given the Dalai Temple and the array of cafes and souvenir / stone ornament shops on the Mall Road, Mc Leod is where all the action is. This is sort of a stylish suburb to Dharmashala and is about 10 kms uphill from here.
2. If you like to be at a happening place, replete with lights, tourists, pubs etc., lodge at McLeodganj.
3. If you want to be in the utter serenity of nature, far far away from the maddening crowd, lodge at Naddi or Dharamkot. Naddi is located about 2-3 kms above Mc Leod. It is quite and offers great views of the dark blue sky and Dhauladhar Range. Dharamkot is another spot further upward from Mc Leodganj. The solitude here coupled with the natural beauty makes it a hotspot for Vipassana Meditation activities.
4. If you do not wish to stay at a very crowded place but are not a sucker for wilderness, find accommodation at Dharmashala. It’s a central hill town with some site seeing activities – Kangra Museum, Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture etc.
5. Long distance buses halt at Dharmashala as well as Mc Leod. Depending on your accommodation, book your tickets. For the other places (Naddi, Dharmakot etc.), you will have to take local buses / jeeps / taxis. The charges are quite affordable.
6. If you are on a tight time line, this tour can be rushed in two days. However, if time is not a constraint, this place can hold you much longer. Once you are bored with the parties and eating out, you could attend a meditation course and do some soul searching. The above mentioned Vipassana Meditation is a very renowned institution. Posters or even good old Google offer other options. To do justice to this exercise at least keep 7 to 10 days on hand.
Yeah totally agree with you guys. Amazing place with mouth watering food. I too visited Mcleodganj twice and wrote an article about how we 3 friends enjoyed the whole journey. As a landscape photographer myself, I must say you clicked some great shots.
I had heard a lot about these both places but never get a chance to visit . After reading your post feeling tempted to visit these soon. Will surely try to visit when plan our next India trip. Thanks for sharing useful tips.
Mclodganj is one place I wanna visit so much…
1. coz I just love its name….
2. because it’s so beautiful and
3. I need a holiday so bad…..
Dharmashala Has always been on my list and I have always wanted to go there. But for some reason I have never been able to. I know that it is one of the most beautiful places in the north. The pictures I have seen till date have always been so pretty. And as you said the mountains and the architecture is what attracts me as well.
Dharamshala has been in our list and your post has made our wish more stronger to visit the place and enjoy in the lap of the nature.
I love serene places. It’s the best place to be when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of life.
This place is so serenely beautiful. I have had a really memorable holiday here with a spontaneous sighting of the Dalai Lama. Really wonderful place!
Your pics are so nicely captured in the action. I have been wondering about Mcleodganj trip and the Vipassana for quite some time now. Its good that I landed here. Will enquire current set up and trip plan
Your photography skills have absolutely caught my attention. I have visited Dharamshala twice now. That said, I do want to travel to such destinations yet again after the pandemic is over.
Dharamshala and Mecleodganj are indeed two amazing places in Himachal. I have been to both the places ample number of times and simply love the vibes and serenity there. Its just walking through rhe heaven.