By Sreesanth Yadav / Tibet Border
Getting a feel of the city by making no plans and just going by the way the city lures your mood is the best way to enjoy your visit in Mcleodgunj. For those who love to spend time with nature, find peace walking down the lanes of a vibrant town, and like sumptuous portions of delicious food, then Mcleodgunj is the place for you.
Home to His Holiness Dalai Lama, Mcleodgunj is a serene town where many nationalities meet in harmony and celebrate the spirit of the town which is a perfect haven for peace lovers. Closely knit in the lap of the mountains, Mcleodgunj is one place where you can relax in the quiet atmosphere of the night which is only occasionally broken by the local tunes coming from some corner of the city.
There are not many touristy places to visit or go sightseeing, and so don't plan a trip if you like going sightseeing. The city is best suited to just take it easy, let the low pace of the place sink in and get a feel of the life there. And those who like trying different kinds of local cuisine will have a lot to explore. Small restaurants run by the locals are the best places to eat. They are well maintained and the food is not expensive either. Trying the Tibetan dishes will be a good idea, instead of having the same old Punjabi.
The two main streets, Temple street and Jogiwara streets, are laden with small shops with that offer a variety of stuff to window shop for. Special attraction is surely the Tibetan lifestyle and the people there. The feel of being in the place of Dalai Lama himself is yet another feat to look out for. The Monastery is a serene place where you can sit and see the monks chant in big groups. The feel it brings is something really different, something which is not a common sight.
Though the shops close a little early in the night, but the night life is far from over. The restaurants are open till late and there are people enjoying on the streets as well. And if you have a room to yourself that opens up into the valley then you can surely enjoy the quiet atmosphere. Mcleodgunj is a small town, with not much to offer when it comes to number of places to visit. But there will be lot to explore if you want to see the lifestyle and the vibrant atmosphere on the streets.
