DHARAMSALA & MCLEODGANJ

It was here at Mcleodganj, that His Holiness The Dalai Lama and his followers came from Tibet, when Prime Minister Nehru granted him an area of land. The Dalai Lama is the recipient of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded to him not only for his spiritual activities, but for his struggle for the liberation of Tibet. Throughout his more than 30 years of exile, for religious as well as practical reasons, the Dalai Lama has worked for a peaceful settlement with China, which is in line with his pacifist approach to all personal and political conflicts in the world.

For the student of Tibetan culture there's the monastery up at McLeod Ganj and the school of Tibetan studies and its library. McLeod Ganj is full of colour and energy: in the middle of the main street there's a small temple with a series of prayer wheels; and strings of multi-coloured Tibetan prayer flags wave in the breeze. There are many reestaurants, shops and markt stalls seelling local Indian and Tibetan goods.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama gives teachings and private audiences every year in March. Travellers may request an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet at his temple here. However, you need to check in advance (by contacting his Private Office in McLeod Ganj) because he is so much in demand by Tibetans, Indians and Westerners alike.

The Tibetan Medical Centre, Men-Tsee-Khang, will be of interest to followers of alternative medicine.

Dharamsala was originally a British hill resort and one of the most poignant memorials of that era is the pretty Church of St John in the Wilderness. Here Lord Elgin, Viceroy of India, was buried in 1863.It is only a short distance below McLeod Ganj and has beautiful stained glass windows.

The Kangra Art Museum is also in Dharamsala. It houses miniature paintings from the famous Kangra school of art, which flourished in the Kangra Valley in the 17th century.