Mcleodganj
- Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
- Elevation : 1,710 m
- Hill Station
Mcleodganj
Land of His Holiness the Dalai Lama - Little Lhasa
Mcleodganj, nestled in the laps of Shivaliks, Mcleodganj is a one of its kind destination. It’s not only famous for Dalai Lama Monastery but also for its rich culture and craft which brings tourist from all over the world. Shopping is one of the best things to do in Mcleodganj given that the hill station is famous for traditional Tibetan dresses, hats, bags and slippers. Items like Tibetan flags, prayer wheel and other Tibetan souvenirs can also be purchased from this market. The Mcleodganj square is known to have city’s oldest shop- Nowrojee and sons which opened in 1860. The entire market area is famous for its wooden carvings. Jogibara road is yet another popular shopping place in Mcleodganj that sells fashionable items mixed with Tibetan authenticity. You can find beautiful handcraft jewelry here which is inspired by Tibetan culture and heritage. The shops also offer Tibetan masks, bowls, Thangkas and other items as well. These details are not only colorful but also hold spiritual and religious significance. List of things you can buy are Buddha Statues, Prayer Wheels, Singing bowls, ornaments, Paper diaries etc.
Dalai Lama Temple or Tsuglagkhang :
Situated at the distance of 2 Km for Mcleodganj square, Dalai Lama Monastery/ Temple is the most important Buddhist temple in Mcleodganj as it is the home for His Holiness Dalai Lama. The serenity and ambiance at the Dalai Lama Temple are enticing and alluring to devotees and travelers all round year.
The temple is the frequent preaching place of Dalai Lama and it is his personnel monastery. It is open from sunrise to sunset and visitors are welcome to explore the peaceful ambiance of the surroundings. The temple is popular because of its beautiful setting and has become a revered pilgrimage site for the Buddhist. The majestic temple has massive statues of Avalokiteshvara. Padmasambhava and several other Buddhist monks, but the main attraction of the Dalai Lama Temple is the enormous idol of Buddha sitting on an elevated pedestal. The chief prayer wheel is also located here at the centre of the temple which is plated in gold and has chants of ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’. Pilgrims walk around walk around the pedestal to pay homage and rotate the prayer wheel. It is believed that by rotating the wheel, the merit is multiplied and the devotees are blessed immensely.
Tibetan Museum is just adjacent to the Dalai Lama temple and was inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama himself on 30th April 2000. The museum 6 days a week from 9am to 5pm and closed on Mondays. There is an entrance fee of Rs 5 to enter the museum which displays the wealth of Tibet and also the struggle that people in Tibet are facing since Chinese have invaded and taken over their homeland.
A visit to the Dalai Lama Temple is truly worth every second spent there. One gets to know a lot about the life of Tibetan people and their religion.
Funky Cafes:
Who doesn’t like the aura of good food? Mcleodganj have some cool and funky cafes. These cafes serve some unworldly coffee, delicious steaming momos and thupka or one can indulge in some mouth watering home baked cakes and pastries. Unwind yourself in one of the cafes is one of the most preferred things to do in Mcleodganj. It is the ambience and the food of the cafes that can really enrich your travel experience. So it’s very important to find the beat eatery in the area. Eatery joints to look out for in Mcleodganj: Tibet Kitchen (Tibetan food lover), Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen (delicious pizza and pasta lovers), Woeser Bakery (Vegan food), Moonpeak Espresso (coffee lovers) Etc. A cup of hot steaming coffee and delicious meals at one of these cafes in Mcleodganj is one of the ideal ways to know the city.
Bhagsu Waterfall
At 6,960 ft above the sea level its gorgeous emerald paradise waiting for you to discover it. Bhagsu waterfall is one of the beautiful streams in the destination and it lures tourist who wishes to relax in the lap of nature. The spring water is considered holy and it flows through the temple of bhagsu nag into the pools where devotees take a dip to get rid of their miseries. It is rated amongst the best tourist attraction in the region. The sound and power of the pounding water whether its waves or the waterfall is loved by everyone. The waterfall is not far off from the main hub of Mcleod ganj and is easily accessible on foot which is good for the tourist and there is no entry fee to visit this place. You can spend your whole day here discovering every cascade, cave, hill and crystal clear pool it has to offer.