Himachal Tourism - Things to do in Dharamsala

Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh is the serene and peaceful home to the exiled Tibetan Government and their leader Dalai Lama. A district set in the wonderful backdrop of the beautiful Kangra Valley, Dharamsala is made up of a few small towns and villages such as McLeod Gan and Kotwali Bazaar and is surrounded by mountains and pine forests.

Bhuddist-Temple-Dharamsala,India

Though rooted in India, the Tibetan history and culture has a strong influence within Dharamsala. It is said that the Tibetan legacy goes as far as 8th century in this region and many activities are based around the Tibetan culture and religion. Here is our pick of the top ten things to do in Dharamsala.

1. Tsuglagkhang Complex

This is the largest Tibetan temple outside Tibet, with a colossal meditation hall with murals and thangkas to add to its charm. The Kalachakra temple inside is where Dalai Lama himself meditates and is located just in fronts of his residence. Look out for the Namgyal Cafe to have a quick bite after visiting the temple. This is run by the youth workers of the complex.

A groups of monks makes a circumambulation around the Tsuglagkhang Temple

2. Thangka Paintings

Many locals make the original Thangka paintings inspired from the stories of Buddha. Visit a local artist and see how these paintings come to life under the skill of adept hands.

Examining-a-very-old-Thangka

3. Tibet Museum

The Tibet museum might be small but contains vast and interesting history about Tibet and the exodus to India. An afternoon here will be wonderful.

Prayer-flags-in-the-garden-Tibet-Culture

4. Dharamkot

One of the most scenic spots off Dharamsala, this is a good place to take your picnic basket and enjoy the view. The Bhagsunag falls also make for a great picnic spot with family. A fresh water spring adds to the interest of the place.

Dharamkot

5. Triund 

A trek to the over 3000m peak beyond Dharamkot is something most trekkers traverse. You need to have decent stamina. Don’t forget t carry comfortable walking and climbing shoes for Dharamsala. There are plenty of trails for short or difficult hikes and are extremely inviting.

Trekkers traverse-Dharamkot

6. Bhagsu Waterfall 

A rough gush of water in a remarkably beautiful setting, climb to the falls but be aware that the last part is quite dangerous.

Bhagsu-Nag-Falls-Dharamsala

7. Indrahar Pass 

The Kangra Valley has some lofty mountains and passes which are a thrill to climb. Indrahar is one such pass.

Kangra-Valley

8. Quaint Cafes and Shopping

With the number of foreign nationals coming to Dharamsala and making it their home, there was a whole hippie movement, which has its reminiscence in old quaint cafes and clothes even now. Mcleod Ganj is perfect for this.

Shopping-stone-jewelry-and-prayer-beads

9. Meet Dalai Lama

A difficult task but not unachievable – try and meet the great leader Dalai Lama. A spiritual experience for many, one needs to watch his website closely for his travel dates and lectures in the town. For a private audience, one needs to know someone in his office. Though your meeting may last only 10 seconds, it will be worth remembering.

Meet-the-great-leader-Dalai-Lama

10. Yoga and Dance 

Yoga has caught the attention of the Western World like wildfire, try your hand at some classes held here. Another art form that might interest you is the alternative Butoh dance. Watch regular performances by The Subbody Butoh School.

Yoga-in-Dharamkot

Dharamsala provides that welcome break and pleasant relief from the city banter for someone on a tourist trip to India. Spend at least 15 days in the area to soak in the culture and easy pace of the destination.

Famous quotes by Gautam Buddha

• “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.”
• “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”
• “Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
• “You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.”
• “The mind is everything. What you think you become.”
• “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
• “Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”
• “Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.”
• “To understand everything is to forgive everything”
• “We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.”
• “The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.”
• “You cannot travel the path until you have become the path itself”
• “An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.”
• “When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky”
• “However many holy words you read,However many you speak,What good will they do you If you do not act on upon them?”
• “A jug fills drop by drop.”
• “The tongue like a sharp knife... Kills without drawing blood.”
• “Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.”
• “Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.”
• “A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker.”
• “There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.”
• “The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.”
• “Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little.”
• “Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.”
• “The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.”
• “No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.”
• “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”
• “Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.”
• “Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.”
• “Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”
• “What we think, we become.”
• “To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others”
• “Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.”
• “He who loves 50 people has 50 woes; he who loves no one has no woes.”
• “To keep the body in good health is a duty...otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.”
• “There has to be evil so that good can prove its purity above it.”
• “Life is suffering.”
• “Hatred does not cease through hatred at any time. Hatred ceases through love. This is an unalterable law.”
• “Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.”