Yes you are finally there and you have hotel too ! Food on every corner where the eye rolls. Whats next? Well grab a backpack and move out to explore the major attractions !
What all not to miss !
1. Walking up from the main square, about a kilometer away you find another hustle bustle area, with buses parked and hay wire tourists checking in hotel. This confusion of people moving in and out, confirm you are near Bhagsu water falls. Bhagsu falls has almost as many tourists as His Holy Dalai Lama temple. Also, Bhagsunath temple is also an attraction accompanied by the falls the main attraction, which is starting point of the way to falls.
As you cross the temple, (please do visit the temple if you are a devotee), you see the falls, and people all over it, there steep narrow pedestrian roads, with security iron railing lead you to the top of the falls, on way you will find various off road paths to falls, when you find a free spot, clomp down and relax, smoke, drink, what ever you want. It is actually a chilling spot. (Please don't litter the place and stop others too).
You will also find a number of cafes on the way. Of which Shiva cafe is very famous. (More on Shiva cafe in other posts)
Bhagsu Falls
2. Dharamkot and Bhagsu trek
Now here is a secret very few people know, and may be many tourists know that, no one likes to share with the naive and the novice. most tourists would go climb down from Bhagsu falls back to the main square, den take another way to Dharamkot and Bhagsu village. If you may ask any local resident or tourists guide they will lead you to the same route. But there is a shorter and more beautiful way to go to Dharamkot.
Actually, when you come back to the main square you are usually too tired to walk up again to Dharamkot, most people take a taxi service which charges INR 100 for a trip to dharamkot, well stuff as many as you can in that 100 bucks, as it is just a kilometer from main square.
But the better way to reach dharamkot is via bhagsu village which you will anyways go from dharamkot to see the cafes and other events buzzing around in bhagsu.
German Bakery
So while, you trek along the falls, on way to shiva cafe, you will find a diversion, a path leading along the water pipe lines, just follow that and you will discover a village and way to bhagsu. After that all paths are well marked.
3. Tsuglagkhang Buddhist Temple, Dalai Lama's Temple, Mcleodganj
The Namgyal Monastery is named after the original Namgyal monastery in Lhasa, Tibet. This is where novice monks are trained under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The monastery has nearly two hundred monks and the younger ones study the major texts of the Buddhist Sutras and Tantras. Buddhist philosophy, debating, the making of butter sculptures, torma offerings, and sand mandalas, the playing of various ritual musical instruments, ritual chanting and dances are a part of the curriculum. At the same time, they are taught modern courses. Sections are off limits to visitors, but in the evenings it is quite a sight watching the monks debate with stylistic moves and sharp claps as they make a point.
The Tsuglakhang is the main hall where prayers are conducted. This is encircled by large prayer wheels. Within are larger than life images of Shakyamuni Buddha, Avalokiteshwara and Padmasambhava - the latter two were leading lights of Trans Himalayan Buddhism. The walls of this large assembly chamber, are adorned with 'thanka' paintings, that are unique to the culture and depict saints and deities and are executed according to strict codes of iconography. Even if the understanding is minimal, the daily chant of prayers in this hall and the accompanying music has a mesmerising effect. Its said that turning the prayer wheels gives positive energy as the prayer inscribed on the wheels are enchanted.
Just off this is the Kalachakra Temple. This is open to the public as a place of pilgrimage and is where public teachings are given by the Dalai Lama. This is also the venue for religious activities – like the construction of various sand mandalas. The architecture and murals of the temple also serve as a representation of Tibet's rich spiritual and artistic tradition. At the centre of the main mural, is a large painting of Shakyamuni Buddha ; this is surrounded by the 722 deities of the Mandala. On either side are images of the Fourteen Dalai Lamas and the lineage Gurus.
The residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is also located here and this obviously this is off limits to visitors.
4. Dal Lake
Walking 2Kms, westward to Mcleodgang you reach Dal lake. Its a small lake and though you will be disappointed, let your self loose and explore the serene and beautiful surroundings.
3. Triund
The USP of Mcleodgang are the Triund rages which are always white with snow covered all season long. The Triund trek is the shortest trek to any glacier in India, it is an easy level too. The unpolluted air and mesmerizing environment will take your breath away.
4. St. John Church
A spooky church in bewilderedness ! But really beautiful surrounding. The gardens and flowers are beautiful.
It is located 1-2 Kms from McLeod main square.
other Attractions
1. Tibet Museum.
2. Vipassana and Tushita meditation centers.
3. Hanuman ka Tibba Trek
etc.
