Dharamshala, The Sanctuary

by Amitha Arun (United Arab Emirates)

I didn't expect to find India

When I decided to travel to Dharamshala, I didn’t expect to find a treasure of such immense value in my own country. Dharamshala is a hill station located in the state of Himachal Pradesh in the northernmost part of India. Dharamshala literally translates to a 'sanctuary for pilgrims' in Sanskrit. This was reflected in the settlements that we observed as we drove through the city. Aside from being home to the locals from Himachal Pradesh, it has served as a 'government-in-exile' to Tibetans since the 1960s. The Tibetans led by His Holiness The Dalai Lama, continue to practice their religion freely in Dharamshala. Our first stop was Triund. Situated at about 2800m above sea level, the trek to this hilltop was designated to be an arduous one. Hesitatingly, my husband and I joined our enthusiastic friends on this trek. The climb was onerous but rewarding. At every stage that I was about to give up, I was remunerated with the silent, alluring sight of the mountains. After about three and a half hours of trekking on a gruelling mountainous terrain, we reached the summit. Half an hour into us reaching the top, a thunderstorm lashed the hill which lasted nearly two hours. We drowned our disappointment in some delicious hot chocolate served by the chirpy tea shop owners. When the rain died down, our guide erected our tent and we cuddled in sleeping bags hoping to catch the sunrise the next morning. At about 4 am, our friend woke us up to the most breathtaking sight. The sky that was earlier filled with dark rain clouds had cleared up and in its place stood the moon in all its splendour. It was surrounded by at least a thousand stars. Our disappointment quickly transformed into astonishment as we gazed into the depths of the universe. At 5 am, we enjoyed the beautiful sunrise at Triund while feasting on some hot breakfast. We spent a few hours watching nature in all its purity - hawks hunting, birds flocking and cattle grazing on the luscious green grass. At about 9 am, we began our descent to McLeodGunj. The descent took about 4 and a half hours but we loved every minute of it. As we reached McLeodGung, my husband and I gushed about how we successfully managed to complete the 8 kilometer intermediate trek. After taking a well deserved night off, we left for McLeodGunj the next morning to explore the offbeat Tibetan shops that dotted the little town. The bits and bobs that you purchase in the Tibetan market are well worth the money and so, we filled a whole bag with gifts for our near and dear. We also made a visit to the famous Tsuglag Khang temple (Also known as the Dalai Lama temple). The Tsuglag Khang temple is a famous buddhist temple that houses the Dalai Lama himself. It is an important pilgrimage destination for all Buddhists and is open to all tourists during the day time. As we walked into the temple, the chaos of the Tibetan market simply dissolved into reverie. We watched as earnest tourists sat in the complex, drifting into deep meditation, facilitated by the calm atmosphere. Before leaving, we acquainted ourselves about the past and the continuing struggle of Tibetan independence from China. We also said our silent prayers for those Tibetans who had to go through horrifying ordeals to make their voice heard. The Tibetan food was very delectable. From the momos to the Thukpa, the Tibetan foods are guaranteed to satisfy your belly. The local cafes were so warm and welcoming and the food was a definite bang for the buck. With a heavy heart, we were all set to say goodbye to Dharamshala. The airport was a long drive away and we just watched the ceaseless beauty of the mountains until we arrived. We made our way to the most heavenly runway I had ever seen - which was situated in the midst of the mountains. As the plane took off, we left Dharamshala with the astonishing view of the sun setting over the mountains. As I bid Dharamshala adieu, I silently vowed to travel to more such explicable treasures of incredible India.