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'{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} {{Infobox settlement | name = McLeod Ganj Kangra | native_name = मकलाॅड गंज काँगड़ा | native_name_lang = | other_name = McLeodGanj, McLeodganj, Mcllo | nickname = Little Lhasa, or Dhasa | settlement_type = suburb | image_skyline = Domaro en McLeod Ganj.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = View of McLeod Ganj town | pushpin_map = India Himachal Pradesh#India | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Himachal Pradesh, India | coordinates = {{coord|32.238602|N|76.323878|E|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|India}} | subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Himachal Pradesh]] | subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Kangra district|Kangra]] | established_title = <!-- Established --> | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | government_type = | governing_body = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_rank = | area_total_km2 = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 2082 | population_total = 11,000 (approx) | population_as_of = | population_rank = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_footnotes = | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi language|Hindi]] | demographics1_title2 = Other | demographics1_info2 = English, Tibetan, Pahari | timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]] | postal_code = 176219 | area_code_type = Telephone code | area_code = 01892 | registration_plate = | footnotes = }} '''McLeod Ganj''' (also spelt '''McLeodGanj''' or '''Mcleodganj''') is a suburb of [[Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]] in [[Kangra district]] of [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[India]]. It is known as "Little [[Lhasa]]" or "Dhasa" (a short form of Dharamshala used mainly by Tibetans) because of its large population of [[Tibetan diaspora|Tibetans]].<ref>{{cite book | first = Keila | last = Diehl | title = Echoes from Dharamshala Music in the Life of a Tibetan | publisher = [[University of California Press]] | year = 2002 | isbn = 978-0-585-46878-5 | oclc = 52996458 | pages = 45–46 }}</ref> The [[Tibetan government-in-exile]] is headquartered in McLeod Ganj. It has an average elevation of 2,082&nbsp;[[metre]]s (6,831&nbsp;[[foot (length)|feet]]). It is situated on the [[Dhauladhar|Dhauladhar Range]], whose highest peak, "Hanuman Ka Tibba", at about 5,639&nbsp;[[metre]]s (18,500&nbsp;[[foot (length)|feet]]), lies just behind it. ==Etymology== McLeod Ganj was named after Sir [[Donald Friell McLeod]], a Lieutenant Governor of [[Punjab (British India)|Punjab]]; the suffix ''ganj'' is a common [[Hindi]] word for "neighbourhood".<ref name=imp>[http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V11_307.gif Dharamshala] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', v. 11, p. 301.</ref><ref>[http://www.time.com/time/asia/2005/journey/dalai.html Experiment in Exile] ''[[TIME Asia]]''.</ref> == History == [[File:Nowrojee & Sons' shop with Mrs Nowrojee. 1980.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Nowrojee & Sons' shop with Mrs Nowrojee in 1980]] In March 1850, the area was annexed by the British after the [[Second Anglo-Sikh War]], and soon a subsidiary [[cantonment]] for the troops stationed at [[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]] was established on the slopes of [[Dhauladhar]], on empty land, with a Hindu resthouse or ''[[Dharamshalas|dharamshala]]''; hence the name for the new cantonment, [[Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]]. During the [[British rule in India]], the town was a [[hill station]] where the British spent hot summers, and around the late 1840s, when the district headquarters in [[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]] became overcrowded, the British moved two regiments to Dharamshala. A [[cantonment]] was established in 1849, and in 1852 Dharamshala became the administrative capital of [[Kangra district]]. By 1855 it had two important places of civilian settlement, McLeod Ganj and Forsyth Ganj, named after a Divisional Commissioner.<ref name=kang>[http://www.hpkangra.nic.in/history.htm History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221063405/https://www.hpkangra.nic.in/history.htm |date=21 December 2007 }} ''[[Kangra district]]'' Official website.</ref> In 1860, the 66th Gurkha Light Infantry, later renamed the historic [[1 Gorkha Rifles|1st Gurkha Rifles]], was moved to Dharamshala. Soon 14 Gurkha paltan villages were established nearby and the [[Gurkha]]s patronised the ancient Shiva temple of Bhagsunath. [[James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin|Lord Elgin]], the British [[Viceroy of India]] (1862–63), liked the area so much that at one point he suggested it be made the summer capital of India. He died at Dharamshala while on a tour there, on 20 November 1863, and lies buried at the [[St. John in the Wilderness]] at Forsyth Ganj, just below McLeod Ganj.<ref name=kang/> His summer residence, Mortimer House, became part of the private estate of Lala Basheshar Nath of Lahore and was acquired by the Government of India to house the official residence of the Dalai Lama. The original Tea House built by Lord Elgin and catered to by a local grocery store called Nowrojee & Son continues to prosper to this date as a hangout for visitors to McLeodGanj. The twin towns of Forsyth Ganj and McLeod Ganj continued to grow steadily in the coming years, and by 1904 had become important centres of trade, commerce and official work of Kangra District. But much of the town was destroyed by the devastating 7.8 magnitude [[1905 Kangra earthquake]] at 6:19 am 4 April 1905; close to 19,800 people were killed and thousands were injured in the Kangra area. The earthquake destroyed most buildings in [[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]], [[Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]], and McLeod Ganj; even the Bhagsunath Temple was destroyed.<ref>[http://123himachal.com/dharamsala/links/1905.htm Dharamshala Earthquake 1905 - Images]</ref> Thereafter, district headquarters were shifted to a lower spot, and the town waited another half century before anything significant transpired in its history.<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE6DF153CF93AA15757C0A966958260 Where the Dalai Lama Dwells] ''[[New York Times]]'', 29 April 1990.</ref><ref>[http://www.world66.com/asia/southasia/india/himachalpradesh/mcleodganj McLeod Ganj]</ref> In March 1959, [[Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama]], [[Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama#Exile to India|fled to India]] after the [[1959 Tibetan uprising|failed uprising in 1959]] in [[Tibet]] against the [[Communist Party of China]]. The Indian Government offered him refuge in [[Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]], where he set up the [[Government of Tibet in exile]] in 1960, while McLeod Ganj became his official residence and also home to several Buddhist monasteries and thousands of [[Tibetan diaspora|Tibetan refugees]].<ref>[http://www.mcllo.com www.mcllo.com A Non-Profit Informative, Travel and Community website of Dharamshala, McLeod Ganj and Kangra Valley]</ref> Over the years, McLeod Ganj evolved into an important tourist and pilgrimage destination, and has since grown substantially in population. McLeod Ganj got its own website in 2013, according to a ''Times of India'' report.<ref>[http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-19/chandigarh/40678438_1_website-destination-dalai-lama TIC closed down, tourists left in the lurch], Times of India website, 19 July 2013.</ref> ==Transport== ; Air : The nearest airport is [[Kangra Airport]], 15&nbsp;km from Dharamshala. ; Rail : The nearest railway stations on the narrow-gauge [[Kangra Valley Railway]] line are at Kangra and Nagrota (about 20&nbsp;km south of Dharamshala). The nearest railhead (broad gauge) is at Pathankot (85 km). ==Tourism== [[File:Dhalaudar peak from McLeod ganj cafe.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Dhalaudhar peak from McLeod Ganj cafe]] [[File:Prayer Wheels at Tsuglagkhang Temple, McLeod Ganj.jpg|right|thumb|Prayer Wheels at 'Tsuglagkhang Temple', McLeod Ganj.]] Tourism is an important industry in McLeod Ganj, but many people come here to study Tibetan Buddhism, culture, crafts, etc. The town is also known for Tibetan handicrafts, [[thangka]]s, Tibetan carpets, garments and other souvenirs. ===Tibetan sites=== [[File:Kalachakra_Temple.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Kalachakra Temple in main street of Mcleod Ganj]] The most important Buddhist site in the town is [[Tsuglagkhang]] or [[Tsuglag Khang]], the [[Dalai Lama]]'s temple. It has statues of [[Shakyamuni]], [[Avalokiteśvara]], and a statue of [[Padmasambhava]] (Guru Rinpoche). Other Buddhist and Tibetan sites in McLeod Ganj include the [[Namgyal Monastery]], the [[Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://pcserver.nic.in/ngo/profilegood.asp?code=000704 | title = Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) | work = Planning Commission NGO Database | publisher = Planning Commission, Government of India | accessdate = 2007-12-19 }}</ref> Gompa Dip Tse-Chok Ling (a small monastery), the [[Library of Tibetan Works and Archives]], Gangchen Kyishong (called Gangkyi for short by Tibetans and the premises of the Tibetan government-in-exile), Mani Lakhang Stupa, [[Nechung]] Monastery, and [[Norbulingka Institute]], which is 8 kilometres away. The 17th Karmapa, [[Ogyen Trinley Dorje]], lives near Dharamshala, in [[Gyuto]] monastery in [[Sidhbari]]. ===Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF)=== The [[Dharamshala International Film Festival|Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF)]] debuted in McLeod Ganj during the first four days of November 2012, showing recent Indian and world cinema, including fiction, documentaries and shorts. Panel discussions and master classes with filmmakers from India and abroad also took place. DIFF was presented by [[White Crane Films|White Crane Arts & Media trust]], established by filmmakers [[Ritu Sarin]] and [[Tenzing sonam|Tenzing Sonam]] to promote contemporary art, cinema and independent media practices in the Himalayan region. ===Other places=== The major towns near McLeod Ganj include [[Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]], [[Palampur]], [[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]], [[Sidhbari]], Tatwani and Machhrial. Other nearby spiritual attractions include Chinmaya Tapovan (a Hindu retreat centre), Osho Nisarga (an [[Osho (Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh)|Osho]] retreat centre), and Chamunda (a pilgrimage place for Hindus). Other tourist spots include: [[File:Triund hill campsite.jpg|thumb|221x221px|Campsite at Triund Hill is a base camp and acclimatisation point for trekkers climbing the Inderahara point in the Mt. Dhauladhar.]] ;[[Triund|Triund Hill]] :Triund is a ridge that overlooks the Dhauladhars. The ridge elevation is between 2,810 and 2,875 metres. It is a one-day trek 10 kilometres (one way) from McLeod Ganj bus stand and under 6 kilometres (one way) from Galu temple near Dharamkot. The trail is rocky and cut in steps at some places. From Galu temple the trail starts as a gentle ascent to Magic View café. After the café, the ascent is a tad steeper, finally culminating in a steep one-kilometre stretch through a forest of deodars and rhododendron. This stretch through the woods is known as 22 Curves, because of the 22 switchbacks one has to walk through to reach Triund. [[File:Bhangsu fall Mcleodganj Dharamshala.jpg|thumb|Bhangsu fall Mcleodganj Dharamshala]] [[File:Stjohnswilderness.JPG|right|thumb|[[St. John in the Wilderness]]]] ;[[St. John in the Wilderness]] :An Anglican church located in the forest near Forsyth Ganj. The neo-Gothic stone building was constructed in 1852. The site also has an old graveyard and a memorial to the British Viceroy [[James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin|Lord Elgin]]. The church is also noted for its Belgian stained-glass windows, donated by Lady Elgin. ;[[Dal Lake (Himachal Pradesh)|Dal Lake]] :A small lake located about 3 km from McLeod Ganj, next to one of the [[Tibetan Children's Villages]] schools. An annual fair is held there in August or September, attended mainly by the Gaddi Community. There is a small spring and an old temple near the lake. ;[[Bhagsu Nath (Himachal Pradesh)|Bhagsu Nath]] : An area 10 minutes' rickshaw ride from McLeod Ganj, particularly popular with Israeli tourists after their compulsory military service. The area has roughly 1,200 local Indians. ;[[Bhagsu Falls (Himachal Pradesh)|Bhagsu Falls]] : Bhagsu Falls, a waterfall about 20 metres tall, is about two kilometres away from McLeod Ganj. There is a cafeteria next to the falls and the area serves as a picnic spot for tourists. Nearby is Bhagsunath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, also an attraction for tourists and Hindu pilgrims. ==Gallery== <gallery> File:Mcleod Ganj.jpg|Himalayan View, McLeod Ganj File:Evening Beauy from Triund Base Camp 9000ft.jpg|Evening Beauty from Triund Base Camp, McLeod Ganj File:Stupa & prayer wheels. Main street, McLeod Ganj.jpg|[[Stupa]] and [[prayer wheels]]. Main street, McLeod Ganj File:McLeod Ganj main street.jpg|Main Street, McLeod Ganj File:Bhagsu's water fall, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala.jpg|Bhagsu water fall, McLeod Ganj. File:Moon Light Cafe, Mcleodganj.jpg|Moon Light Cafe, McLeod Ganj. File:View of McLeod Ganj, during winters of 2005.jpg|View of McLeodGanj, winter, 2005. File:Waterfall McLeodganj.jpg|Bhagsu's Waterfall, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala File:View from Magic View Cafe on the Triund trail, Gallu Devi.jpg|View of Dharamshala from Magic View Cafe File:Himalayan View, McLeod Ganj.jpg|Himalayan View, McLeod Ganj </gallery> == Notes and references == {{Reflist|2}} ==External links== {{commons category}} * {{Wikivoyage-inline}} * [http://www.tibet.com/dasaguide.html A Guide to Little Lhasa in India] ''[[Government of Tibet in Exile]]'' website. {{DEFAULTSORT:McLeodGanj}} [[Category:Cities and towns in Kangra district]] [[Category:Dharamshala]] [[Category:Hill stations in India]] [[Category:Tibetan Buddhist places]] [[Category:Tibetan diaspora in India]] [[Category:Tourism in Himachal Pradesh]]'