McLeod Ganj .... Complete Bliss. Review on Dharamshala

I often wonder how can strife & beauty coexist so blissfully well .... and I wonder that because I have had the opportunity to visit, love & admire this place called McLeod Ganj.

I claim to be no expert on travel nor do I claim one to be the most avid adventurer ... perhaps there are many such 'small heaven' tucked away in silent glory in other places; but I can share only what I have experienced, and, how well.

This is a place that makes you fall in love with beauty, all over again. The quaint

by-lanes of this small township, the warm smiles on the face of all those in wine red robes, the caress of the misty breeze, the 'brimming with life' market place - all make you (most certainly me) stop, think & question: how can people whose life is defined by the fight for 'the cause' be so beautifully peaceful looking; how can they always afford to wear a smile when struggle in an everyday mate; what belief is it that makes them so steely in thier determination & yet leaves you feeling enough & more warm in the even ever-so-brief interaction that you may have with them while you go spend a couple of days trying living alongside them ....???

McLeod Ganj is where you will find enough great food (in spectacular variety - Greek, Israeli, Mediterreanean, ofcourse Tibeten etc etc ...), loads of very interesting curio's to shop, variety of acommodation options, a lot to drink & be merry, party places which rock through the night (but these you will find only as a regular) .......!

It is also the place where you will see people from many parts of the world trying to find the essence of life, find peace; its also a place where the strumming of the guitar can be heard till you crash to bed & finally sleep ..... McLeod Ganj, for me is the place where you can lose yourself & then find it again, refreshed & high on life.

Its just beyond Dharamsala, best connected via pathankot, from where you can drive or bus it. Kangra is the district which again is very well connected. You could stay & eat for less than a 1000 bucks a day & you can shop till you drop ! It surely requires atleast 5 days to take-in the essence of that place. Bhagsu Nag temple, Triund (trek) & the Dal Lake (not much to write home about) are also places that you can move around & discover. There are also the water falls beyond Bhagsu that are worth a visit.

But if you take my word, it is 'nothingness' that you should indulge into while you are there, just walk around the place where clouds would be just about in your reach, sit down near the market square & sip the local tea, let your spirit wander & find it coming back to you refreshed ....... its the kind of place where you will go back to for more.

Thats a promise.