Mcleodgunj – Mini-Tibet in India
Decades back, Tibetan supremo, Dalai Lama made his famous march to India from China. Many Tibetans too, took the arduous task of crossing the thick snow-covered mountainous terrain to reach India. Many died on their way. Many lost their limbs as they got frostbites. Many kids were fortunate to come over to India.
Today, the Tibetans have settled at Mcleodgunj that is 10 km from Dharmashala. The township is easily spotted with is unique culture and grandeur. Tibetan monks dressed in maroon uniforms are frequently seen in the town.
One can see the dazzling shops, gaming centres, restaurants, and snack bars. Mcleodgunj has quite a romantic setup where couples are seen enjoying a quiet moment together, tourist taxis ready-to-be hired, backpackers coming into the town after a long day’s trekking, and more. Policemen are seen nearby guiding people to their destinations.
Hot Soups, Momos, Tibetan Thukpu
During peak winters, mid December to early January, Mcleodgunj and its neighbouring areas are covered with snow. It is cold and misty all throughout the year. People generally have soups to warm themselves. Tibetan Thukpu is a thick soup with veggies and chowmein. Momos in hot soups are also quite popular. Tibetan hotels and small inns offer homemade tasty soups like this. Many offer mutton only with spinach leaves, nuts, and vegetables. You can even have hot milk, Tibetan oats, barley with honey, or yak cheese cake made with special Tibetan bread.
Artistic Carpets, Craftwork, and Tibetan Wintry Clothing
Wintry clothes include Tibetan shawls, cardigans, gloves, socks, mufflers, and caps. Clock-type cardigans are also common. In different hues and shapes, you will find them decked up in makeshift stalls, shops, and Tibetan community stores. You can at once realize that this spot is a mini-Tibet where Tibetans, Indians from various communities, and tourists live and enjoy in harmony.
Temple Road
It leads to the Dalai Lama Monastery. No mobile phones, cameras, or match boxes are allowed inside. Security checks you thoroughly before you go in. There is a Buddha temple inside and locals visit regularly and pay their obeisance to Buddha.
What also attracts you is the gold and silver articles kept in large glass cupboards. It also depicts the Tibetan gods and goddesses and the patrons who donated centuries ago to the temple.
Cost – Not Always Pinching your Pocket
Tibetan items are costly but they have a unique touch of Tibetan artistic work. Food is generally costly too, just like any place in the hills. However, we found Tibetan food not really exceeding our budget. Flocked by foreigners, Mcleodgunj has different types of cuisine hubs – such as Italian, French, Indian, and Chinese. Fruit vendors are also available.