WelcomHeritage Grace Hotel - Dharamsala, India

EXCURSIONS:

Dharamkot
3 kms. north of McLeodganj past the Mountaineering Institute, this site surrounded by tall pines and rhododendron forests offers an excellent view of the Dhauladhar range and has the Tushita Research Centre that runs courses in meditation. There is an annual Shiva festival held at the small Dal Lake at a height of 1,837 metres and a little further up is Naddi Gaon, also known for its fabulous view. The Tibetan Children's Village has a school and training institute catering to about 2,000 students, either orphaned or left in safe custody by the parents who returned to Tibet.

Triund
17 km from Dharamsala in the foothills of the Dhauladar range, Triund is a popular picnic spot at a height of 2827 m.

Bhagsu
This village, about 2 kms east of McLeodganj is on the banks of a small mountain stream fed by a waterfall. Pilgrims bathe before praying at the Shiva temple of Bhagsunath.

Baijnath temple (5km)
This ancient Shiva temple is one of the oldest in the country and is believed to date back to the epic Mahabharata. The Baijnath is supposed to be one of the twelve 'Jyotirlingas' and is thronged with pilgrims at the festival of Shivratri.

Palampur
40 km away, surrounded by tea plantations and beautiful snow peaks, this tiny retreat thrives on its fruit orchards. During the monsoons, the swollen Bundla river gushes through a 300 metre wide gorge called the Neughal Khad, a sight to be seen.

Andretta
This charming village was once home to the artist Sobha Singh and the playwright Norah Richards. The Andretta Pottery Society specialises in ethnic clay pottery and holds classes for students.

Bir
The Dirru Sakya Monastery, seat of His Eminences Dungyud Tulku Rinpoche and Gyalsay Tulku Rinpoche, is located here.

Masroor Rock temple
Fifteen richly carved monolithic rock temples sculpted in the splendid style of the Kailash temple at Ellora, and dating back to the 8th century are to be found at Masroor, just 15 km south of Kangra. Images of Ram , Sita and Lakshman can be found in the sanctum of the main temple.

Chamunda Devi temple
Located on the banks of the Baner river, in the village of Dadh, is the temple dedicated to Goddess Chamunda who, it is believed, has the power to grant the wishes of those who worship here. Behind the temple is a cave where a natural stone 'lingam' is worshipped as a manifestation of Shiva.

Kangra Fort
Built about 1000 years ago on the confluence of the Banganga and Manjhi rivers, the fortifications with its high ramparts stretches over a perifery of about 4kms.