Excursions to sacred places

Masrur Temples
(Hindu temple in Lahalpur, Himachal Pradesh)

The Masrur Temples, also referred to as Masroor Temples or Rock-cut Temples at Masrur, is an early 8th-century complex of rock-cut Hindu temples in the Kangra Valley of Beas River in Himachal Pradesh, India. The temples face northeast, towards the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas. Distance is 45 km from Dharamshala.

Kangra Fort
(Historical landmark in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh)

The picturesque Kangra Fort is located at a distance of 20km from the town of Dharamsala on the outskirts of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India. It is built by the the Royal Family of Kangra, the Katoch dynasty. The largest fort in the himalayas and the oldest in India, dating back to 1009 ad.

Tattapani

Small temple complex on the banks of a river with ancient hot bath inside its premises.

Naddi and Dal Lake
(Lake in Himachal Pradesh)

Dal Lake is a small mid-altitude lake near the village of Tota Rani in Kangra district (Himachal Pradesh) in northern India. The name ‘Dal Lake’ is taken from Kashmir’s Dal Lake. The lake is surrounded by deodar trees and is considered to be a sacred spot as there is small Shiva mandir on its bank. It is a small alpine lake next to naddi, a quaint village with both gorgeous close up view over the dhauladhar and sunset viewpoint. Naddi by foot through the dense pine and cedar forest walking duration 2.45 min.

Gyuto Tantric Buddhist Monastery
(Buddhist temple in Himachal Pradesh)

Renowned monastery for tantric meditation. Large intricate tibetan style prayer hall with statues of enlightened buddhist masters and impressive representation of lord buddha.

St. John in the Wilderness
(Church in Himachal Pradesh)

Set amidst beautiful dense forest lies St. Johns Church, a gothic stone Anglican Church dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The neo-gothic church is one of the oldest structures in Dharamshala dating back to 1852.This religious edifice holds historical significance as the final resting place of lord Ergin, a governor during the British raj.

Aghanjar Mahadev
(Hindu temple in Sokani Da Kot, Himachal Pradesh)

1000 year old burning fire and spring in Shiva temple enclosure by a roaring river and huge boulders. Located 5 kms away from the town of Dharamshala in Khaniyara, at the foothills of Dhauladhar, Aghanjar Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Andretta Artists Village & Pottery
(Pottery manufacturer in Chakban Andreta, Himachal Pradesh)

Interesting old villa of former artists in original museum style presentation. Pottery school and sales nearby. The modern Andretta Artist Village is immensely famous for its Norah’s Centre for Arts, Andretta Pottery and Craft Society (they sell earthenware to Fab India in Delhi) Norah’s Mud House and Sir Sobha Singh Art Gallery. Keeping its legacy of art & craft and performing arts, Andretta Artist Village has affixed its position in India as a connoisseur of arts.

Bir Billing
(A village located in the west of Joginder Nagar Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh)

Mostly referred as “Paragliding Capital of India”, Bir is also a noted centre for ecotourism, spiritual studies and meditation. Bir is also home to a Tibetan refugee settlement with several Buddhist monasteries and a large stupa. While Billing is the takeoff site for paragliding and Bir village is for landing; collectively it is known “Bir Billing”. This place is popular for Rolling hills, tea gardens, world famous paragliding site and landing site, quaint village life in India.

4 Dham Devi
(Jawala Ji Fire Temple, Chamunda Devi Temple, Shaktipeeth Shri Bajreshwari Devi Temple & Maa Chintpurni Temple)

• Jawala Ji Fire Temple – Jwala Ji is Hindu temple located in the lower Himalayan town of Jawalamukhi in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Dedicated to Hindu goddess Jwala, temple is probably the most ancient temple in India. It is mentioned in the Mahabharata and other scriptures.
• Chamunda Devi Temple – Chamunda Devi Temple, or the ‘Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham,’ is one of the most prestigious and renowned holy shrines of the Hindus. It was built during the reigns of Maharaja Umed Singh and is dedicated to Goddess Kali. Chamunda Devi Temple is also known as the abode of Lord Shiva and Mata Shakti and presents the impressive architecture of the old era.
• Shaktipeeth Shri Bajreshwari Devi Temple – The Shree Vajreshwari Mata Mandir also known as Kangra Devi Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Vajreshvari, a form of Durga located in the town Kangra, in Himachal Pradesh, India.
• Maa Chintpurni Temple – Mata Chintpurni Devi is one of the many manifestations of the Supreme Goddess Durga. In this form She is also called Maa Chinnamasta or Maa Chinnamastika – the one with detached head. We humans have endless desires; desires steer us towards anxiety and worry.

Indru Nag Dharamshala
(180 degree viewpoint, temple and Camping Site)

Indru Nag is an ancient temple built by local villagers and is dedicated to Snake King. People offer prayers to the Indru Nag and they strongly believe that this God saves them from the natural disasters, especially heavy rains. The temple is located on the hill top and one can get the panoramic view of Dharamshala and Dhauladhar ranges. At a distance of 5 km from Dharamshala Bus Station and 8 km from McLeod Ganj Bus Stand, Indru Nag Temple is situated at Indru Nag near Chohla village in Dharamshala.

Norbulingka
(Monastery in Himachal Pradesh)

The Institute for Tibetan arts and crafts with adherence to traditional methods. Japanese style zen garden with a café and huge Buddha statue in a separate temple complex. The institute is open for visitors. Located in Siddhpur, 20 km from Dharamshala.

Tsuklakhangh
(The temple of the 14th Dalai Lama in McLeod Ganj)

The Tsuk la Khangh temple complex, housing the Namgyal monastery and the Tibet history museum. Around the temple hill there is the Lingkor, 45 minutes walking meditation trail lined with Buddhist shrines, stupas and a massive Chorten [Buddhist prayer wheel] and trees covered with thousands of prayer flags placed by devotees.

Triund
(The spectacular hilltop)

A 5 hour, easy and very beautiful trek from Bhagsu Nag to a grassy meadow on a ridge with marvelous views over-looking Bhagsu Nag, Dharamkot, Mcleod Ganj and Dharamshala. Spellbinding views up to pong dam, a large water reservoir at 100 km distance.

Bhagsu Waterfall (McLeod Ganj)
(The majestic Waterfall)

This enchanting waterfall is located about 11 kms from Dharamshala and is easily approachable by road. One located 15 minutes walking distance from the village of Bhagsu Nag and the other one a 2 hour easy and very scenic hike from Dharamkot. It is one of the best tourist attractions in Dharamshala and is known for its old temple, a fresh water spring, and slate quarry a waterfall surrounded by stunning cliffs and trees.