Tourist places in & around Dharamsala

Mcleodganj:- (1700 mt)9 km up from Kotwali Bazar Dharamsala is the famous town Mcleodganj often called the "Little Lhasa". This is the residence of H H the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan Government in exile has been here for almost four decades. The impressive monastery has larger than life images of the Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avalokteshwara. A large Tibetan community and the presence of traditional architectural designs drawn from Tibet have enhanced the charm of the area. A host of Tibetan handicrafts and garments are available.

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Namgyalma Stupa:-     Surrounded by prayer wheels, this Buddhist stupa, is located in the centre of McLeod Gunj. With a statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha enshrined in a small chamber.Day and night, devotees turn prayer wheels as they circumambulate the stupa , reciting mantras.

Tsuglag Khang (Central Cathedral)

Though a plain and utilitarian substitute for its far more splendid name sake in Lhasa, also known as the Jokhang, the Tsuglag Khang is nevertheless fascinating and peaceful. Situated opposite the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tsuglag Khang is known to the local Indians as the Main Temple. It houses three main images: that of the Sakyamuni Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of Compassion, of whom the Dalai Lama is the current emanation. The principal image is that of Sakyamuni Buddha, measuring three meters high and made of gilded bronze. To its right are the images of Padmasambhava and Avalokitesvara which are both facing Tibet. 

 Church Of St. John In The Wilderness

Fifteen minutes' walk from McLeod Gunj, the Anglican church lies in the forest near Forsyth Gunj. This neo-Gothic stone church was built in 1852 and has some fine Belgian stained-glass windows. It miraculously survived the 1905 earthquake - only the spire collapsed. A memorial to Lord Elgin stands in the churchyard. The British Viceroy died in Dharamsala and is buried here. Visiting hours for the church and cemetery are 10 am to 5 pm each day.

Dal Lake

About three kilometers from McLeod Gunj and next to the Tibetan Children's Village, this small lake is brownish in colour and not nearly as impressive as the name and reputation suggest. However, there are many interesting walks around the lake.

Dharamkot

This village, twenty minutes' walk further up the hill from McLeod Gunj, is a favorite picnic spot with a panoramic view of the Kangra Valley. It is possible to rent houses from local Indians if you are planning a longish stay.

Bhagsunag

This ancient temple is 2 kms from Mcleodganj.. Close to this temple is a beautiful waterfall. Near the Dal Lake is the shrine of Bhagsunath an easy walk from the Mecleodganj. Famous for its ancient temple and a pretty waterfall not far away. The rock temple dedicated to local Goddess is just 3 km from Kotwali Bazaar.

Triund:-     Mcleodganj to Triund is a 9 km gradual trek which passes through the Dharmkot and Rakkar villages. There is a small forest bungalow at Triund located on a big and green subsidiary ridge of the Dhauladhar range.

Norbulingka

The Norbulingka Institute The Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture was founded by the Department of Religion and Culture to preserve and promote Tibetan art and culture in exile. Norbulingka Institute in Dharamshala has taken the initiative to preserve the roots of Tibetan culture in exile. The institute is sited in a scenic valley below Dharamshala. 

Chinmaya Tapovan:-

An ashram complex has been established by late Swami Chinmayananda, a noted exponent of the Gita, at a distance of approximately 10 km from Dharamsala on the banks of the rivulet Bindu Saras. The complex includes a 9 m high image of Lord Hanuman, a magnificent Rama temple, a meditation hall, a school, and a health and recreation centre.

Jawalamukhi (600 mt)

56 km from Dharamsala is the famous temple of goddess Jawalamukhi also called the “Flaming Goddess” or “She of the flaming mouth”.It lies in the valley of Beas and is built over some natural jets of combustible gas believed to be a manifestation of the goddess Devi  Bhagwati . There is the Gorakh Dibbi, Chaturbhuj Temple and a host of other smaller shrine at Jawalamukhi town.

Pong Dam (500 mt)

Pong Dam reservoir is 65 km from Pathankot and 115 km from Dharamsala. This reservoir was created in 1975-76 with the construction of Pong Dam on the Beas river.  A Regional water sports centre was established in 1984 to impart training in water sports in the Wetland. The Pong Dam lake was notified as wild life sanctuary in 1983 covering an area of 30,729 hac. The total catch is 500 metric tonnes of fish per year worth Rs. one crore. The main wild life species found in Pong Dam lake sanctuary area nilgai, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, clawless otter and leopard. In addition there are 220 species of migratory birds, red jungle fowl, peafowl, partridges and many others. Pong Dam reservoir is being developed on a large scale for promoting water sports for tourists.

Tatwani & Machhial (500 mt)

20 km from Dharamsala and 4 km from Rait (on Dharamsala-Pathankot Road) is the beautiful waterfall. 5 km down lies the hot spring of Tatwani (a contraction of Tatta pani) on the bank of Gaj rivulet, a tributory of Beas. The hot spring issues at a height of about five feet from the side of the hill.