Mcleodganj, the little Lhasa of India, as it is commonly known as, is responsible for bringing Dharamshal in to prominence. This charming Tibetan settlement carries a distinctive colonial air and is famous as the dwelling of His Holiness, Dalai Lama. The great saint resides here with a huge number of followers. Mcleodganj preserves all that is Tibetan. The food, the culture, the handicrafts, everything is typically Tibetan, true to its name of little Lhasa of India.
One of the must visit site in the itinerary to Dharamshala other than the residence of the Dalai Lama is this museum. It is treasure trove of the artifacts dating back to the 5th century A.D. On display are the objects like the famous miniature paintings of Kangra, its rich craft and many other valuable items. Sculptures and pottery of the Kangra region, their attire and other items are also on display.
A British who patronized this town was Lord Elgin, a Scottish by birth who came to India as the viceroy and would often come to this place from the bustling Shimla. This place reminded him of his hometown in Scotland. As fate would have it, he breathed his last in this very town. He was buried in the grave yard of the Church St. John in 1862. The church since then is known for the memory of the Viceroy. Built in 1852, this Church has the most beautiful stained glass windows. One panel portrays Christ and the other has St. John, the Baptist.
This memorial dedicated to the valiant soldiers who fought to defend their motherland but never came back. People offer a prayer here for the unknown soldiers who brought freedom laying down their lives. \r\n\r\n\r\nThe other places worth a visit which offer beautiful views are the Tiund, Dharamkot and Nurpur which are near to Dharamshala.