McLeod Ganj, Tibetan suburb in Kangra district, India
McLeod Ganj is a suburb in the Dhauladhar Mountains at 2004 meters elevation with narrow lanes between stone houses and small shops. Prayer flags in five colors stretch across streets and flutter in the wind between rooftops.
A British official founded the settlement as a hill station during colonial times in the 1850s. The community transformed completely after 1960 when the Dalai Lama arrived with thousands of Tibetans and made the place the center of the Tibetan diaspora.
The place takes its name from a British colonial officer and now hosts the largest Tibetan center outside Tibet. Travelers meet monks in burgundy robes on the paths and hear prayer wheels turning while smoke from butter lamps rises from temple windows.
Cooler autumn between September and November offers the clearest views of the mountains and comfortable temperatures for walking. Steep climbs connect the different levels of the settlement so visitors should be careful on slippery stone steps during rain.
The residence of the Dalai Lama sits behind simple yellow walls without special decoration and appears modest among the other buildings. Visitors can attend public teaching sessions when he speaks if he is not traveling.
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