Baijnath Temple near Palampur in Himachal Pradesh

Baijnath is the most popular Shiva temple in Kangra valley. It is about 20 kms from Palampur, 45 kms from Kangra and 52 kms from Dharmashala. Baijnath temple is a very ancient temple about 1000 years old. It is a medium sized temple made of stone. The temple is very near to the bus stand (about 100 meters) which you can easily walk. The temple is maintained by Archaeological survey of India. You cannot take photo in the compound but you can take pictures from outside the temple. The view of Himalayan Mountains near the temple looks very attractive.

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Prayer of Monks in Dalai Lama Temple McLeodganj

McLeodganj is famous for His Holiness Sri Sri Dalai Lama, the grand Guru of Tibetan Buddhism. This temple (or Monastery) is very beautiful. We saw the beautiful buddha inside and also saw the pooja and prayer done by the monks. A group of senior monks sat on matress and chanted mantras which was very attractive. There are some small chortens and many prayer wheels inside the temple. The views of Himalayan mountain are very attractive from this place.
Because of large Tibetan population McLeodganj is also often called as “Little Lhasha”. In 1959 Sri Dalai Lama with a large number of followers came from Tibet and settled here in McLeodganj. It was a great feeling to visit the temple of Dalai lama here. McLeodganj is situated on an elevation of 2000 meters on Himalayas. It is located about 14 kms from Dharamshala, 35 kms from Kangra, 50 kms from Palampur and 250 kms from Shimla.

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Dharamshala and McLeodganj Miscellaneous Attractions

McLeodganj is an extension of Dharmashala town of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. While Dharmashala is a valley McLeodganj is located totally on a sloppy mountain. Because of large Tibetan population it is also often called as “Little Lhasha”. The place is mostly known for His Holiness Sri Dalai Lama. In 1959 Sri Dalai Lama with a large number of his followers came from Tibet and settled here in McLeodganj. It was a great feeling to visit the temple of His Holiness Sri Dalai Lama here.
Namgyalma Stupa is one of the old Buddhist structures located at the main square of McLeodganj. It is located in the old bazar just by the side of main road, about one km away from Dalai Lama temple. However it is important to mention that the roads in McLeodganj are extremely narrow and sloppy. People love to spin the prayer wheels all round the chorten.
The structure is a two storied building with a golden color chorten inside. You can climb to the first floor through steps and see the upper part of the chorten. Camera and photography allowed inside. Many people take shoes inside though we preferred to keep shoes outside this holy place.
“Tibetan Parliament in Exile” is located in McLeodganj. When China invaded Tibet in 1959 a large number of Buddhist monks including Sri Sri Dalai Lama had to leave their own country and stay in India as refugee. Tibetan Parliament in Exile is introduced by Sri Sri Dalai Lama and the Tibetans.
Tibetan Library is just near the Tibetan Parliament in Exile. The location is in the middle of Potala road, about 2 kms down from McLeodganj and 2 kms up from Dharamshala. It is a beautiful place with large number of books. However we could not enjoy reading because of limited time.
Nechung Monastery is very near to “Tibetan Library” and “Tibetan government in exile”, If you are going by Potala road , the shortcut between Dharmashala and McLeodganj then the monastery is about 2 km down from main square and about. 2 kms up from dharmashala bus stand. The original nechung monastery is in lhasa having 115 monks which was destroyed by Chinese invasion. 6 monks escaped to India and built this temple. It is one of the popular monasteries which should remain in your McLeodganj sightseeing list.
Chinmay Tapovan is an Ashram established by Swamy Chinmayananda which is about 10 kms from Dharmashala. It is about one km further away from Dharmashala Vidhan Sabha or Assembly building. However, there is nothing much to see here in Ashram except a big statue of Lord Hanuman. On the other side of Ashram there is a Rama temple which remains closed all the time. You may very well skip this place from your itinerary and move further to Chamunda and Baijnath for a better utilization of time.
Dharmashala Cricket stadium is quite a popular stadium. Many state and international matches have been played here. The stadium is visible from many places in McLeodganj hill top. The design of the stadium is interesting and colorful. It is one of the 4 points to visit at this side of Dharmashala. The other points are Kunal Pathri temple, tea garden and War memorial. Taxi takes about 800 rs to cover these four places and bring you back to Dharmashala.
McLeodganj is situated on an elevation of 2000 meters on Himalayas. It is located about 14 kms from Dharamshala, 35 kms from Kangra, 50 kms from Palampur and 250 kms from Shimla.

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War Memorial or Martyrs Memorial or Saheed Smarak in Dharamshala

War Memorial (rather “Martyrs Memorial” or “Saheed Smarak”) is another place to visit near Dharmashala. This has been raised to commemorate the post independence martyrs of Himachal Pradesh. It is an open park with artistic structures and with war related artifacts. You may need about 1 hour to visit this park. You can get good backgournds to take photographs in this park. . In this side of Dharmashala there are typically 4 tourist points, viz., Kunal Pathri temple, tea garden, War memorial and Cricket stadium. Taxi takes about 800 rs to cover these four places and bring you back to Dharmashala.

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Tea Gardens near Dharmashala (Himachal Pradesh)

There are some tea gardens near Dharmashala spreading on many acres of land. You can get down from the road and enjoy the views of these tea gardens. The views are like that of Palampur. If you have seen the tea gardens of Asam and Darjeeling then this might not look impressive to you. Generally nothing much to do here near the tea garden. You may just like to take a few photos and get bored in few minutes. In this side of Dharmashala there are typically 4 tourist points, viz., Kunal Pathri temple, tea garden, War memorial and Cricket stadium. Taxi takes about 800 rs to cover these four places and bring you back to Dharmashala.

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Kunal Pathri Temple near Dharmashala in Himachal

Kunal Pathri is about 4 kms from Dharmashala. This is famous for Kunal Pathri Mata temple dedicated to Goddess Kapaleswari. However, this is a small temple and you may not enjoy much. In this side of Dharmashala there are typically 4 tourist points, viz., Kunal Pathri temple, tea garden, War memorial and Cricket stadium. Taxi takes about 800 rs to cover these four places and bring you back to Dharmashala.

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Gyuto Tantric Monastery near Dharamshala (Himachal)

There are so many beautiful Buddhist monasteries in Dharmashala and McLeodganj. Gyoto monastery is located about 5 kms from Dharmashala on Dharmashala Palampur road. You can either go by taxi or by bus. You may get into any bus going to Chamunda or Palampur which with drop you at Gyoto monastery for Rs 10/- or so. The monastery is located about 100 meters interior from the Highway.
The original Gyoto monastery was founded in 1474 in Tibet. Tibet was a Buddhist country possessing the complete teachings of sutra and tantra. Gradudally four lineages developed in Buddhism one of which was pioneered by the great saint scholar Tsongkhapa who reformed the practice off sutra and tantra. His tradition of tantric teachings was mainly established in the tantric monasteries Gyudme and Gyoto. After Chinese invasion in Tibet the monks escaped to India and rebuilt the monastery here in Dharmashala.

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Tse Chok Ling Monastery in McLeodganj (Dharamshala)

This peaceful Gompa was built in 1987 to replace the original Dip Tse Chokling Gompa in Tibet, which was destroyed in the Cultural Revolution. The prayer hall enshrines a magnificent statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. There are small prayer wheels at the side of the monastery ad a huge prayer wheel at the back side.
The monastery is located few hundred steps down the main square of McLeodganj. There is no motorable road to this place. Monks who stay there have to walk through these broken steps every day in order to go out. The monastery also has provisions for food and accommodation facilities for outsiders at a minimal charge. The monks are very kind and sweet speaking. They allowed us to take photographs inside the prayer hall.

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Sunset View Point near McLeodganj (Dharamshala)

Sunset point is the highest point near McLeodganj. You have to go about 2 kms further up from Dal Lake to reach sunset point. The views of Sunset point are interesting, particularly the high snow covered mountains from a very close distance. Photography is one of the major activities in Sunset point. You can get Himachal Pradesh costumes and various types of wigs on hire to wear and take photographs. We also enjoyed photographing with some wigs.
There is motorable road going from McLeodganj through Dal Lake upto Sunset point. You can also go by walk from McLeodganj which may take 2 hours or more. If you are going by walk you may keep one day for St John’s church, Dal lake and Sunset point etc. which are in the same direction. Trekking is typically adventurous and enjoyable on lonely Himalayan roads.
McLeodganj is the abode of His Holiness Sri Dalai Lama, situated on an elevation of 2000 meters on Himalayas. McLeodganj about 14 kms from Dharamshala (4 kms by shortcut route), 35 kms from Kangra, 50 kms from Palampur and 250 kms from Shimla.

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Dal Lake in McLeodganj (Dharmashala)

Dal Lake is a small lake situated about 4 kms uphill from McLeodganj. There is motorable road to the lake and you can go by Taxi or Auto Rickshaw. Though the name is similar to the Dal Lake of Kashmir it is far smaller and noway comparable with the later. There is a shiva temple called “Durbeswar Mahadev” by the side of the lake. You can find only a couple of momo/samosha shops and nothing more near the lake.

We took a walk from McLeodganj to St Johns Church and to Dal Lake. Walking on steep road was very time consuming. So we preferred to hire vehicle thereafter to go Sunset point and back. Sunset point is about 2 kms above Dal Lake.

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