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DHARMASHALA
INTRODUCTION
"Two and a half millennia after the Buddha walked on earth, Another
walks in his foot steps" - Welcome to Dharamshala, the land of Dalai
Lama, a charming little town with elegant bungalow. Dharamshala
enjoys the unique distinction of being the chosen home of the spiritual
and temporal head of the Tibetan people.
LOCATION
Set against the magnificent backdrop of the towering Dhauladhar
ranges, which rise up to more than 4000 meters, Dharamshala, which
literally means The Holy Refuge, lies perched up on the high slopes
in the upper reaches of the Kangra valley. Founded in 1855, it is
one of the 80 hill resorts developed in the seventeenth century
by the British to beat the heat and dust of the sweltering plains.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
 McLeodGanj
- the Little Lhasa is thick with the Tibetan cultural feel. It is
an altogether different world where the crisp breeze is broken by
chanting of the hymns along with the tinkling of the prayer wheels.
The place was once full of hippies who have since moved out with
the crowds inundating the town. For a research scholar, McLeodGanj
offers a host of possibilities and to the not-so-scholarly souls,
a cultural bonanza awaits.
First lets look at what has McLeodGanj got to offer to the hungry
palette and then we will look into spiritual stuff! The Tibetan
run restaurants give you an ample respite from dal, chapatti and
rice that you get in most other places. If you are fond of momos,
thukpa, and the likes, you have come to the right place. Tsongkha
Restaurant, Yak Restaurant, Snowland and Shangrila are some of the
place, which serve excellent food. A constant flow of Westerners
has brought in its wake a number of restaurants and eateries, which
offer the kind of food that is not so commonly available in India.
ABODE OF THE DALAI LAMA
 But
Dharamshala is better known as Dalai Lama's abode and Tibet's Government-in-exile
after the Chinese invasion of Lhasa in October 1959. Needless to
say, a visit to Dharamshala would be considered irreverent without
a peek into the various monasteries dotting the hillsides. A visit
to the Namgyal Monastery, ensconcing the Center of Tibetan Studies
is nothing short of mandatory. 'Tsuglagkhang', opposite the Dalai
Lama's residence reminds one of Lhasa - it contains large gilded
bronzes of the Buddha, Avalokiteswara and Padmasambhava.
The other places of interest are the Museum at the Nechung Monastery
which is three kilometers downhill on the way to Dharamshala and
the Norbulingka Institute which has become a major center of learning.
You could see young artists learning Thangka Painting.
When the Dalai Lama is in residence, he heads the prayers. For
an audience with the Dalai Lama who is also believed to be the reincarnation
of Buddha, special permission needs to be taken with a proper request
in writing at the security office near Hotel Tibet. The best time
to see his him is after the Tibetan New Year, which falls in March.
The living deity gives spiritual discourses for 10 days.
The hotels and guest houses are all full at this time of the year
when Dharamshala is at its colorful best. If you really want to
savor the place, the best thing to do is to stay at a family run
place. Himachal Tourism also runs a few comfortable rest houses
to suit all budgets.
If one is into meditation, there are a number of classes held
by monks for the beginners, as well as advance practitioners. Tushita
Meditation Center is one such outfit, which offers clean residential
accommodation as well. There are also a number of alternate medicine
doctors in the little town. It is not unusual to find monks from
the Western countries.
PLACES AROUND DHARAMSHALA
After satisfying your palette and your soul, you could go out for
a nice long walk or an arduous trek. Bhagsunath, three kilometers
away is an easy option after momos and beer. There is a temple,
a spring and also a waterfall. Dal Lake is a major disappointment,
as it does no justice to its name. An annual fair is held here in
the month of September. It is worthwhile walking up to Naddi, which
offers a splendid view of the Dhauladhar ranges. If you are adventurous
enough, the Mountaineering Institute can organize treks, rock climbing
and rappelling. They normally would like to do this for groups of
10 or above.
However, the best thing about Dharamshala is the easygoing pace,
the peaceful expression on everybody's face. It is a place where
you would like to do the ordinary things in life, where you would
like to let yourself loose and forget about hectic schedules and
maddening self imposed deadlines!
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