Moon Peak Triund

Prem Sood

The homeplace of the Dalai Lama's temple, Mcleod Ganj is one of the prime vacation spots in India for relaxation and getting away from it all. While the name may sound exotic, it's actually a combination of Mcleod, named after the British Sir David Mcleod, a Governor of Punjab, and Ganj, which is the Hindu word for neighborhood. Mcleod Ganj is home to a great number of ex-pat Tibetans, and is the principle home of the displaced Tibetan culture. There's plenty to do and see in this sky-high town, which lies in the Dhauladhar mountains, a southern branch of the Himalayas.

Tsuglagkhang Temple Complex

This Tibetan Temple, the home temple of the Dalai Lama, is one of the most important temples in the Tibetan culture. While it is simple from the outside, it is well worth the trip. The temple is home to some beautiful statues of Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avaloktwshwara, and is also home to some ancient texts from the region. The temple is just a short way from the bus station, off of Temple Road.

Tibet Museum

The Tibet Museum is the chief cultural repository of Tibetan culture. It features 2 main levels, one of which presents the Tibetan perspective on the Chinese occupation of Tibet, while the other showcases Tibetan culture, past, present and their hopes for the future. The museum also has a small lecture hall where you can see presentations about Tibetan history, culture and more. The museum is closed on Mondays, but is open the rest of the week from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Bhagsu Waterfall

Just a short walk east from Mcleod Ganj, about 2 km, you will find the beautiful Bhagsu falls. You can swim here, although the water is coming off of the mountain and is predictably cold. Even if you don't go for a swim, however, Bhagsu is a beautiful photo opportunity and a great place to relax.

Norbulingka Institute

Located just south of Mcleod Ganj, the Norbulingka Institute is a center of art and culture for the displaced Tibetan population of Mcleod Ganj. It is well worth visiting, and you can spend an entire day here. One of the sights is a traditional Tibetan garden. Also in the Institute are the Deden Tsuglagkhang, a Tibetan temple, the Doll Museum (which houses 150 dolls depicting the traditional garb of historical Tibet), a cafe, and a shop featuring the work of the in-house artists. These works include a wide variety of handmade Tibetan hangings, cushions, chests, handcrafts and more.