Weekend Break

Dharamsala usually spills over with ‘seekers’ and so does McLeodganj.

- Priya Bala

FROM DELHI

DHARAMKOT BACKPACKER’S PARADISE

To bask in the beauty of the Himalaya and still be far from the madding crowd, head to Dharamkot, six kilometres uphill from McLeodganj. A little village set in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, it promises endless charms for the weekend visitor and the long-staying traveller. In fact, many foreigners have made Dharamkot their home in India.

Perched on the crest of a hill above McLeodganj, Dharamkot provides fetching views of the Kangra Valley and the Dhauladhar ranges. Deodar forests, the crisp mountain air, the call of birds and the quiet hum of village life are what the allure of Dharamkot is all about.

Surrounded as it is by serene nature, the place is a preferred spot for meditation practices; here you’ll find institutions such as the Dhamma Shikara, a Vipassana meditation centre, and the Tushita Meditation Centre, known for the study and practice of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism and its traditions.