Mcleodganj will stay with you forever

By Preeti Phalke

Mcleodganj is to Punjab what Goa is to Mumbai. But Mcleodganj is way more spiritual an experience to be compared to any other place. Located on a hilltop higher above Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, this small little town is yet not a very popular destination and I am happy about it.

Mcleodganj has a vibe, if it strikes with you, it takes you in else you are just another tourist here. When I write about Mcleodganj I carefully choose my words so as to sync with the serenity of the place. Why so? Because of all the places, The Dalai Lama chose to live here. There has to be something amazing about it.

How to get there?

The nearest big city is Dharamsala. The airport at Kangra and Dharamsala both are functional and Dharamsala has flights to & from major cities in the country, but a road journey is advisable. Pathankot is the nearest railhead about 90kms away. Buses, private cars and rentals are available from Delhi (450 Kms), Shimla (235 Kms), Pathankot (90 Kms), Chandigarh (220 Kms), Manali (240 Kms) and Jammu (200 Kms).

Where to stay?

Mcleodganj is not for the luxury traveller. Although there a few luxury hotels in Dharamsala, I wouldn't call the one’s in Mcleodganj ‘starred hotels’. Accommodation varies from homestays to hostels to dorm room to hotel rooms. Hotels above the Rs. 3500 range are well maintained and have basics in place. Hotel Imperial 9 not only has a great view but it is also located well. M Hotel a little ahead of Imperial 9 is another popular choice, located right in the market.

If you’re looking for a cozy homestay Nisha has been proven to be a good host. A vegetarian house, Nisha owns pets and her rooms are affordable.

Pink house located in Mcleodganj has received several awards for the best homestay. Traveller reviews for this place are noteworthy. The rooms are clean, safe and bright. They also organize treks, camps etc for travellers in need.

Where to eat?

Nothing else gives a better experience of the region than it’s local cuisine and Mcleodganj is a heady mix of Kangra, Tibetan and International cuisine. The moment you get to the main square one road will take you to Potala Road and the other to Bhagsunag. Both the roads leading to food heaven. Norling Café, Namgyal Café and Tibet Kitchen are iconic for Tibetan & Bhutanese food. Hidden somewhere in anonymity of the old market is a shop that has only two items on its menu, Thukpa and Momos, cooked with immense love by an old lady. The shop has no name its called shop No.4, has barely 4 tables and gets sold out even before you can imagine.

Among the extremely popular tourist picks is Shiva’s café that offers stunning views of Bhagsunag waterfall and continental food. Nick’s Italian Kitchen, Café Illiterati is where you head to for Italian and Woeser Bakery for breakfast.

What to see?

Lush green mountains, silent narrow roads, fresh air, monks in maroon robes, clear blue skies and prayer flags that add the right amount contrast to the surroundings. There are two reasons why people go here – spirituality and smoke. But there’s so much more. Bhagsu Fall is visible from almost every corner of the city and it’s only when you approach it can you hear the roar of it. There are several spots along the trek where you can just sit back and soak in some silence.

Dharamsala is home to the highest cricket stadium in the world, little outside the city is Himachal’s own Dal Lake. Not to forget the mesmerizing views from Triund peak and the intimidating Dhauladar Range.

One cannot leave Mcleodganj without once visiting the Namgyal Monastery that is the proud home of His Holiness The Dalai Lama.

Hardships of living in the mountains is unimaginable to people who only visit them. Nature goes through a lot of hardships to keep up to its beauty year after year and as visitors we must be wise in using resources and help the locals keep the mountains clean. If you take care of nature, nature will take care of you!