Mcleod Ganj

Travel to India > Dharamshala > Mcleod Ganj

The upper part of Dharamshala is known as Mcleod Ganj. It is just 9 Km away from the Dharamshala and sis situated at the Kangra valley. It is famous all over as the headquarters of the Tibetan Government in exile and the abode of the present Dalai Lama. It is worth visiting town as here you can get a chance to see the 14th Dalai Lama. This place is a well known center for the Buddhist community. In 1959, Dalai Lama, the famous religious figure of Tibet visited Dharamshala. With his arrival, the place converted into a centre of major Tibetan settlements. A number of religious educational centers sprang up at the town. Moreover, many rehabilitation centers soon grew up there.

Dalai Lama Temple:

This place is surrounded by Pine, Deodar and Rhododendron forests and is at height of nearly 1800 metres. It is a very tranquil and serene place, strewn with many tourist attractions. The major attraction of this small hill station is the residence of the holy Dalai Lama. People throng the Mcleod Ganj to catch a glimpse of this revered Lama. The temple of Dalai Lama is also occupied with number of followers and devotees. In the temple you will come across to astounding statuettes of Shakyamuni, Valokitesvara and Padmasambhava. The Dalai temple is very beautiful and surely worth visiting.

History of Mcleod Ganj:

Earlier, Mcleod Ganj hill station was under the British rule. It was a place where British officers and their families spent hot summers. By 1855, Mcleod Ganj and Forsyht Ganj were two important placed of civilian settlement. Later on there places became important centers of trade, commerce and official work of Kangra District. But the earthquake of 1905 destroyed a lot of buildings, therefore the district headquarter shifted to lower parts. Later on, in 1959, The Indian Government offered shelter to Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama. He was permitted to make Mcleod Ganj his headquarters.

Adventure Activities at McLeod Ganj:

Adventure lovers can indulge in the long and short walks along with trekking in the McLeod Ganj. The best walk will perhaps be to the Tsuglag khang complex, where the patron Buddhist saint, Dalai Lama lives. Adventure activities such as skiing, camping, mountaineering, Para gliding are possible in and around Mcleod Ganj.

Shopping at Mcleod Ganj:

The other highlights of this small shill station are its restaurants, antique and curios shops. It is a perfect place for shopping lovers. It is a destination where people are enthralled in excessive spending. Mcleod Ganj is a place from where you can purchase local handicrafts, Tibetan carpets, thankas, wooden mask, metal votive objects, paper drawings, baubles and beads and many other interesting things.

A ten day fair is held every year on the second in the month of April at Mcleod Ganj which anyone can attend. People come to enjoy an adventure tour of Mcleod Ganj while taking up trekking along the routes and enjoying long walks up to the monasteries and enjoy shopping for local art and crafts in Mcleod Ganj. Yoga and meditation classes are the attraction of Mcleod Ganj. It is a worth visiting place and you should come to this town to seek the spiritual ambiance that engulfs this calm town of Himachal Pradesh.