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Triund
17 km from Dharamsala in the foothills of the Dhauladar
range, Triund is a popular picnic spot at a height of
2827 m. Bhagsu
This village, about 2 kms east of McLeodganj is on the
banks of a small mountain stream fed by a waterfall.
Pilgrims bathe before praying at the Shiva temple of
Bhagsunath. Baijnath
temple (5km)
This ancient Shiva temple is one of the oldest in the
country and is believed to date back to the epic
Mahabharata. The Baijnath is supposed to be one of the
twelve 'Jyotirlingas' and is thronged with pilgrims at
the festival of Shivratri. Palampur
40 km away, surrounded by tea plantations and beautiful
snow peaks, this tiny retreat thrives on its fruit
orchards. During the monsoons, the swollen Bundla river
gushes through a 300 metre wide gorge called the Neughal
Khad, a sight to be seen. Andretta
This charming village was once home to the artist Sobha
Singh and the playwright Norah Richards. The Andretta
Pottery Society specialises in ethnic clay pottery and
holds classes for students. Bir
The Dirru Sakya Monastery, seat of His Eminences Dungyud
Tulku Rinpoche and Gyalsay Tulku Rinpoche, is located
here. Masroor
Rock temple
Fifteen richly carved monolithic rock temples sculpted
in the splendid style of the Kailash temple at Ellora,
and dating back to the 8th century are to be found at
Masroor, just 15 km south of Kangra. Images of Ram ,
Sita and Lakshman can be found in the sanctum of the
main temple. Chamunda
Devi temple
Located on the banks of the Baner river, in the village
of Dadh, is the temple dedicated to Goddess Chamunda
who, it is believed, has the power to grant the wishes
of those who worship here. Behind the temple is a cave
where a natural stone 'lingam' is worshipped as a
manifestation of Shiva. Kangra
Fort
Built about 1000 years ago on the confluence of the
Banganga and Manjhi rivers, the fortifications with its
high ramparts stretches over a perifery of about 4kms. |