McLeod Ganj
From World travel guide
McLeod Ganj is a hill station in Himachal Pradesh in India.
Contents |
Get in
By Bus
Take Dharamsala bus from the Interstate Bus Terminal in Old Delhi. The journey takes about ten hours - though feels much longer on the bumpy roads!
By Train
Change at Pathankot Station to single gauge line to Kangra. Kangra is 18 km from McLeod Ganj.
Air
Archana Airways flies from Delhi to Kangra Airport at Gaggal, about 15 km from McLeod Ganj.
Get around
See
Do
Visit the 17th Karmapa at his temporary residence at the Gyuto Tantric University in the town of Sidhbari near McLeod Ganj. For detailed information, check the Kagyu school's official web site: Kagyu Office
Learn
Courses
Courses range from Yoga, Meditation, Reiki, Tibetan and Indian cooking classes, Tibetan speaking classes and Thai massage. All courses include vegetarian meals, and are offered at the following meditation centers:
- Vipassana - Situated near Dharamkot, offers a 10 days meditation course. You need to register in advance at their web-site. The course will teach you the Vipassana technique, you have to be in complete silence, and you are provided 2 meals and very light dinner. The course is free, you can leave a donation if you please.
- Z-Meditation - http://www.zmeditation.com/ - 5 days meditation course in McLeod Ganj (go down the stairs at Yongling school, it's the big green building). The courses is much more varied than Vipassana - it includes a few techniques on meditation, some with painting, some about subjects related to your own life, and also 2 hours of daily Yoga, 3 meals, a sieats and a drinks break. You also have to be silent.
- Tushita Meditation - 10 days meditation with Buddhist teachings. Lunch is included. Silence is only half a day.
- Asho Institute in Bhagsu Village also provide courses in Ayurvedic nutrition and Tai-Chi.
Work
Volunteer
There are some opportunities to volunteer while you are here. Teaching English and computers are most common options. There are a few institutions for benefit of exile Tibetans and local Indians. There are adds on billboards and also in the free local magazine "Contact". There is also an option to come and talk to Tibetans to help them improve their English, while getting to know each other's culture and personal story. Go to the organized meetings of one of the organizations and don't accept requests to privately tutor monks that address you on the streets; some of them will ask you to be their sponsor after a few days.
For long term options (3 months or more) ask at the LHA office in the middle of the town.
Buy
Eat
- Nick's Italian Kitchen. Great dishes in cheap prices, which makes it one of the popular restaurants in town.
Drink
Nick's Italian Kitchen in Kunga Guest House in McLeod Ganj is one of the best places to eat and has great fresh fruit juices, run by a Tibetan family. It now has a big patio. Great place. Thank You, Tenzin la !
Sleep
- Freedom Place, (go down the stairs in Yongling School). Nice doubles for 150 Rs.
- For a long stay try the Eastern Home with apartment including kitchen for 6,000 Rs. a month.
Get out
If you are looking for a quieter place try Bhagsu or Dharamkot. Both are very close to McLeod Ganj. However most courses and volunteer options are at McLeod.
External links
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