Places to see in Dharamsala
McLeod Gunj - The Dalai Lama’s Tibetan settlement buzzes with colour & life. Here, you will find everything from monks to feisty shop owners, from hippies to prayer wheels. As you walk down, the wooded trail will take you to Gelugpa Monastery adjoining the Dalai Lama’s residence. Inside the monastery is the giant statue of Buddha, the thankas and other ritual & votive objects.
St John’s Church - Located midway between Forsythganj and McLeod Gunj, St John’s Church, is a pretty stone building that holds Viceroy Lord Elgin’s Memorial, who had died here in 1863. The church has some beautiful stained glass windows.
Tibetan Healing centre - It is located on Mcleod Gunj road from Dharamsala. Tibetan medicine dates back to more than 2,500 years, and respected physicians and researchers worldwide are increasingly recognizing the effectiveness of these natural cures. Over the years, Tibetan medicine has proved most effective in curing various chronic diseases. Its effectiveness in curing hepatitis, according to some westerners, is miraculous. The institute today is staffed by a group of Tibetan physicians, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama's two personal doctors _ who carry out research and chemical analysis on over 2,294 drugs. TMAI physicians also go abroad at the invitation of universities, medical institutions and groups of patients.
Norbulingka - Apart from McLeod Gunj, Norbulingka located at Sidhpur is a centre devoted to the preservation of Tibetan arts & crafts. Set in a Japanese-style garden, Norbulingka has a temple, souvenir shops, the Losel Dolls museum, thanka painting centre & a tailoring section.
Kotwali Bazaar - In Lower Dharamsala is where you can shop for your woollens. Here, you can find everything from locally-woven Kullu & Kinnauri shawls, stoles, scarves & socks to books, souvenirs and the like.
Kangra Art Museum - This museum houses artifacts dating back to the 5th century. Some of the gallery’s collection includes famous miniature paintings, sculptures, pottery & anthropological items.
Osho Nisarga - Is the name of a newly built meditation centre nestled amidst lush green nature and singing streams with a scenic backdrop of the majestic Dhauladhar mountain range of the Himalayas. Ecological in concept and design, and already functioning as a new model of Osho's holistic vision of life, Osho Nisarga is being established as a true 21-century oasis.
Tapovan - Just 10 kms from Kotwali bazaar, on the banks of the rivulet Bindu Saras, is Tapovan ashram, founded by late Swami Chinmayananda. The ashram has a 9 meter high image of Lord Hanuman, a magnificent Ram temple, a meditation hall, a school and a health & recreation centre.
