Dharamsala is a hill station located in the northern regions of India in the State of Himachal Pradesh. The town of McLeod Ganj in Upper Dharamsala is known worldwide as His Holiness the Dalai Lama resides here and is also known as  Little Lhasa of Tibet. The main temple is where  His Holiness the Dalai Lama gives teachings several times a year.   His Holiness’ residence is located near the main temple and the headquarters of the Tibetan Government in Exile is located just below McLeod Ganj.

               The Tibetans settled in  Dharamshala  in 1960, as His Holiness the Dalai Lama had to flee Tibet in 1959 and the Prime Minister of India allowed Him and some of His followers to settle in McLeod Ganj, a colonial British summer picnic spot. There they established "the Government-in-Exile" in 1960. Dharamsala had been connected with Hinduism and Buddhism for a long time, many monasteries having been established there in the past, by Tibetan immigrants in the 19th century. Several thousand Tibetan exiles have now settled in the town, and most live in Upper Dharamsala, or McLeod Ganj, where they have built monasteries, temples and schools. The town is sometimes known as "Little Lhasa of Tibet", after the Tibetan capital city, and has become an important tourist destination with many hotels and restaurants, creating a resurgence in tourism and commerce. In 1970, His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, opened the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives which houses over 80,000 manuscripts and other important resources related to Tibetan history, politics and culture. It is considered one of the most important institutions for Tibetology in the world. Dharamshala is also the winter capital of Himachal Pradesh, and the Secretariat at Sidhbari, near the Chinmaya Tapovan Ashram and the winter sessions of the Government are held there.
"H H The Dalai Lama Schedule"
"Offical Site of H H The Dalai Lama"

The Main Temple   [#1] (The Tsuglagkhang Temple complex, or the Dalai Lama Temple) is the most sacred monument in McLeod Ganj.The temple houses larger than life statues of the Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avaloktwshwara. The temple also houses one of the largest collections of sacred Tibetan texts. You can meditate or You can take a serene morning or evening walk around the temple.It is 10 minutes walk from the guess house.

The Norbulingka is an institution dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan Art and culture. The Nobulingka is situated in the valley below Dharamshala, 20 mins from Dharmashala bus station + 15 min walk, or 20 minutes from McLeod in a taxi. Some of the skills being imparted to the resident Tibetan artists at Norbulingka include traditional Tibetan statue making, thangka painting, woodcarving and metal craft. The complex has a small temple (Seat of Happiness temple), a Tibetan dolls museum, a guesthouse and a shop selling products made by the resident artists. Products sold at the institute are extremely good in quality and made by Tibetans. The Norbulingka institute, Official website

The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives  [#4]  was founded by His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama on June 11, 1970 and is considered one of the most important libraries and institutions of Tibetan works in the world. It contains sources which were relocated from Tibet during the 1959 escape, including important Tibetan Buddhist manuscripts and archives related the Tibets history, politics, culture and even art. It possesses more than 80,000 manuscripts, books and documents, over 600 thangkas and statues and other artefacts of Buddhist heritage, 6,000 photographs, and many other materials.  Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Official website 

Tushita Meditation Centre  [#7]  is located in the forested hills above McLeod Ganj. It is a centre for the study and practice of Buddhism from the Tibetan Mahayana tradition. They aim to provide a friendly and conducive environment for people of all nationalities and backgrounds to learn about and put into practice the teachings of the Buddha. Tushita Meditation Centre, Official website

Bhagsu Nag Temple and Waterfall  [#6]  is located 1 km from McLeod Ganj is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Bhagsu Nag, the snake god, and to Lord Shiva. A freshwater spring, in which pilgrims to take a holy dip flows through the temple. A beautiful waterfall, well worth visiting, is located about a 20-minute walk from the temptle. The Bhagsu temple is located in the picturesque Bhagsu village, a Gaddi tribal village whose traditional livelihood was herding and farming. The village has become one of the main tourist centre in the area during the last few years, and many of the local people are now engaged in tourism. The village has a large number of restaurants and guesthouses.

Triund is located approximately 17 km from Dharamshala and is considered to be one of the popular places for excursions. This tourist spot is perched at a height of about 2,827 m, providing 360° view of the surrounding. Dhauladhar mountain range is easily visible from this tourist destination. Triund is also famous for adventure activities like trekking through the oak and deodhar forests. This place is located close to McLeodganj, which is just 10 km from Triund. While travelling to Triund from McLeodganj, visitors can see Rakkar and Dharamkot villages. Buses and taxis are easily available from McLeodganj to visit the scenic spot at Triund.

The Tibet museum [#3]  In a small building in the complex of Dalai Lama's temple, you'll find the Tibet Museum. The pristine white interiors are sparingly filled with photographs and Tibetan artefacts. More than a museum, the Tibet Museum is a library of facts, documents, videos, installations and objects related with the Chinese occupation of Tibet. As you enter you'll be taken through the grim but fascinating methods the Chinese used to intimidate the Tibetan people. Huge sepia tinted photographs tell you how Dalai Lama escaped from Tibet into India dressed like a soldier, the Chinese soldiers stationed at the Lhasa border and many more poignant scenes. A video made by a documentary filmmaker takes you through the torment the Tibetan freedom fighters live through even today. On the second floor you'll see images of optimism. Like the first group of people who came to India from Lhasa. You?ll also find the declaration of the Chinese people to the Tibetans and the promises they made. All in all the Tibet museum takes you through the history of a people determined to hold on to their identity. And changes you in way few will understand. The Tibet museum, Official website

St. John'S Church In Wilderness is an Anglican Church which is dedicated to Saint John. This church was constructed in the year 1852, situated at Forsyth Ganj. It is built in Neo-Gothic architectural style and features Belgian stained-glass windows that were donated by Lady Elgin (Mary Louisa Lambton), wife of Lord Elgin. In 1905 an earthquake destroyed the bell tower of this church. A new bell was built by Stainbank and Mears in 1915, which was brought from England. The Gaggal Airport and Pathankot Railway Station are situated close to this ancient church.

Dal Lake is surrounded by deep Deodhar forests and is situated approximately 11 km from Dharamshala. This lake is an ideal base camp for trekkers coming from McLeodganj. During the month of September, an annual fair is organised on the banks of Dal Lake, where tourists take dip in the holy water. It is believed that dip in the holy Dal Lake removes all the miseries and will be blessed by Lord Shiva. This lake is located in the Kangra District and is situated at a height of 1,775 m above the sea level. It is a brownish looking lake lying on the main road to Naddi and Strawberry hills.

Lower Dharamsala is at an altitude of 1400m, while McLeod Ganj is at around 1750m, making them considerably cooler than the plains below.During the months of December and January, snow and sleet is common. Temperatures in January can dip below freezing, while June can go up to 38°C, and the monsoon season from July to September is very wet indeed. Even in March, when the Dalai Lama holds his teachings and the weather down in Delhi is downright balmy you will still need a heavy winter coat, but these can be purchased at reasonable prices in town.