McLeodganj

If you want to find calm and peace on this planet, you must go to Lhasa at least once in your life or at least to the Dalai Lama’s Monastery in McLeodganj (Himachal Pradesh, India). The quaint little town which nests in the Dhauladhar’s, 5 miles from Dharamshala, has been given to the Tibetan refugees by the Indian Government as a token of help to escape we all know what. As you reach the town centre (let’s call it that for the sake of convenience), you see German Bakeries, Tibetan artifact shops, Chinese Restaurants (the irony) and vegetable sellers, etc. The famed calm will hit you in the face as you walk about the market place, no noise, no pollution, and absolute serenity. The silver jewels, Tibetan precious and semi precious stones, and handmade wall hangings are nothing short of exquisite. And on the way you’ll come across spotless, ageless and beautiful monks- their skin aglow with health. The monastery seems like a microcosm of its own, and the big golden Buddha statue will hold you in its awe for quite a while. You can always pick up souvenirs and Buddhist books from the Temple Bookstore and Souvenir shop. To me it’s the most peaceful place I have been to yet.

My personal favourite glut place there is down the mall, across the veggie sellers, in a little hut shaped cake shop called “Chocolate Hut”. Living up to its name it serves old English style breakfast cakes, chocolates desserts and fresh bread, etc- it’s to die for, no kidding.

The option of trekking can be fully exploited there with the RMC (Regional Mountaineering Centre) just a couple of minutes walk from the German cake shop. They will take you to the highest peaks of Dhauladhar and even to two mighty glaciers alongwith a professional trekker. And group costs are economical. Not to forget that the temple of Bhagsu Nath is only a couple of miles away and with its stone lake with water coming out of lion statues' - is worth a decko. Looking forward to my next trip there!