G for Government in Exile – The Tibetan Govt. & Dalai Lama in McLeod Ganj
In Himachal at McLoed Ganj (11 Km uphill from Dharamshala) proudly is the seat of the exile govt. of Tibet. Since the visit of 14th Dalai Lama to Dharamshala in 1959, the Tibetan’s are taking refuge here after when over 80,000 Tibetans where led by their religious and temporal leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama who had fled the Chinese occupation of their country and established a refugee community at Dharamsala in India after the destruction of their culture and religion whereby all except eight of the country's 6,259 monasteries, nunneries and temples where completely destroyed.The Tibetan Parliament in – exile was thus instituted in 1960 as the highest legislative body of the Tibetan refugee community and runs its govt. from here. Today around 1.5 Lac Tibetan refugee stay in India in which more than 50% stay in Mc Loed Ganj and Dharamshala area.
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| Tibetan Parlieament in Exile |
Picture Source http://www.tibet.vopus.org/ENGLISH/ARCHIVOS/noticias%202011/03%20-%20Dalai%20Lama%20s%20Message%20to%2014th%20Tibetan%20Parliament%20in%20Exile.htm
So when you are on a visit to Dharamshala, make sure you stay at least a day in McLoed Ganj and visit Dalai Lama residence ( also called Dalai Lama Temple) and the Tibetan Parliament situated along with it.
McLeodGanj which is also called as the Little Lhasa is at 1770 m altitude. The famous places to visit here are:
Dalai Lama Temple This historical site as stated above is an impressive monastery with larger than life images of the Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avaloktwshwara.
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| Dalai Lama Temple |
Bhagsu Nag temple : Just a Km from saat rah or main McLoedGanj 7 roads crossing is the ancient temple of Bhagsu nag. It is a popular picnic spot and the famous slate quarries are close. There is a fresh water spring in close vicinity.
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| Bhagsu Water Fall near Bhagsu Nag Temple |
Dal Lake: On the way to Naddi approx. 11 km from Dharamsala and surrounded by deodar trees is Dal Lake which offers an enchanting and serene picnic spot.
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| Dal Lake |
Naddi : It is a small village situated at a height of 7,152 feet above sea level. It offers a magnificent view of the Dhauladhar mountain range in the north and the vast expanse of the lush green Kangra Valley in the south. Naddi is situated away from the hustle and bustle of McLeod Ganj and is the first place to get snow fall during the winters.
The Wilderness of St. John’s Church : St. John in the Wilderness is situated just before McLeod Ganj under the shade of deodar branches. There is also a memorial erected over the body of the British Viceroy, Lord Elgin who died at Dharamsala in 1863.
The main area of McLeod Ganj is just a crossing of roads leading to the different tourist spots surrounded by market and restaurants which offer a great tourist hangout and you can spend hours here enjoying the tourist euphoria.
Tomorrow it would be H
For other posts on Himachal written as part of Ato Z Challenge : List of post on Himachal Pradesh written as part of A to Z challenge.
For other posts on Himachal written as part of Ato Z Challenge : List of post on Himachal Pradesh written as part of A to Z challenge.
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