Famous Places and Places to visit in and around Mcleodganj:-

The McLeod Ganj :- The arrival of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, along with thousands of refugees to Dharamshala in 1959 made the life here more active. A number of Tibetan settlements with religious education and other rehabilitation centers mushroomed all over the Mcleodganj. As Dharamshala became the headquarter of the Tibetan Government in exile, headed by Dalai Lama, it gained prominence all over the world and prominent personalities started arriving here. Mcleodganj emerged as a major Buddhist centre.

Bhagsunag Fall: ( 11 km. from Dharamshala town ) Known for its old temple, a fresh water spring, water falls and slate quarries. Bhagsunag can be approached by road. The Bhagsu fall is one of the main attractions of Mcleodganj. You can take a dip in the chilly water of fall.

Chinmaya Tapovan: An ashram complex has been established by late Swami Chinmayananda, a noted exponent of the Gita, at a distance of approximately 10 km from Dharamsala on the banks of the rivulet Bindu Saras. The complex includes a 9 m high image of Lord Hanuman, a magnificent Rama temple, a meditation hall, a school, and a health and recreation centre.

Masrur:- (800mt)-Masrur is 36 km from Dharamsala on Nagrota Surian link road and is famous for remarkable group of rock cut temples. They form a group of 15 monolithic rock cut temples in the Indo Aryan style and are richly carved. The main shrine contains three stone images of Ram laxman and Sita but the presence of the figure of Shiva in the centre of the lintel affors a strong presumption that the temple was originally dedicated to Mahadeva.

Tsuglag Khang (Central Cathedral): Though a plain and utilitarian substitute for its far more splendid name sake in Lhasa, also known as the Jokhang, the Tsuglag Khang is nevertheless fascinating and peaceful. Situated opposite the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tsuglag Khang is known to the local Indians as the Main Temple. It houses three main images: that of the Sakyamuni Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of Compassion, of whom the Dalai Lama is the current emanation. The principal image is that of Sakyamuni Buddha, measuring three meters high and made of gilded bronze. To its right are the images of Padmasambhava and Avalokitesvara which are both facing Tibet.

Library of Tibetan Works & Archives: The Library is the repository of Tibet's rich literary heritage. It contains about 40% of Tibet's original manuscripts, as well as an excellent general reference library, and is open to all. There is also a Tibetan Cultural Museum on the 1st floor, with some excellent exhibits including fine statues, rare Tibetan stamps and a medal from the Younghusband mission to Lhasa.

Tibetan Medical & Astrological Institute: The institute has a museum, library, research unit and a college at which Tibetan medicine and astrology is taught. The museum has a well displayed exhibition of materials used in Tibetan medicines.

Jawalamukhi: (600 mt) 56 km from Dharamsala is the famous temple of goddess Jawalamukhi also called the “Flaming Goddess” or “She of the flaming mouth". It lies in the valley of Beas and is built over some natural jets of combustible gas believed to be a manifestation of the goddess Devi Bhagwati . There is the Gorakh Dibbi, Chaturbhuj Temple and a host of other smaller shrine at Jawalamukhi town.