Monsoons, Mountains & A Little Madness — Our Dharamshala & Mcleodganj Journey

Any well-meaning friend or relative will tell you never to visit the mountains in monsoon—“unsafe,” “risky,” “landslides,” they’ll warn.

But if you’re an obstinate adventure-lover like Gaurav and me, you’ll probably head straight to the very place you’ve been warned against. 😉

And honestly? If you do so responsibly and safely, the North Indian mountains reward you with their most magical, mist-draped form.

Today, I’m sharing our monsoon journey to Dharamshala and Mcleodganj—a trip that began with worry from our parents but turned into one of our most unforgettable Himachal Pradesh monsoon holidays.

Chandigarh: A Rain-Kissed Beginning

Our trip started at Chandigarh, from where we booked a taxi for the whole journey. The city welcomed us with a gentle monsoon shower—almost like a blessing for our Himachal road trip.

 

Shri Keshgarh Sahib Gurudwara

Our first halt on the Chandigarh-to-Dharamshala route was the serene Shri Keshgarh Sahib Gurudwara, one of the five sacred Takhts of Sikhism.

Located near Anandpur Sahib, this holy site is rich in history and perfect for a peaceful break.

 Shri Keshgarh Saheb Gurudwara is regarded as one of the five sacred "Takhats" or seats of Sikh religion. It is on the main Rupnagar-Nangal Road and one has to walk a certain distance to reach the shrine, built on the hillock. It was here in 1699, on the Baisakhi day (13th April), Tenth Master Guru Gobind Singh Ji created Khalsa by baptizing five beloved Sikhs known as "Pani Piaras".

Jwalamukhi Temple: The Eternal Flame

Our next stop was the famous Jwalamukhi Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.

This temple is unique because it houses natural flames instead of an idol, drawing devotees from across the country.

Queues can be long, but the darshan makes everything worth it.

If time permits, you can also visit Shri Bajreshwari Devi Temple, just 3 km from Kangra city.

(Jwala Devi Temple)

Dharamshala: A Clean, Serene Himalayan Embrace

By the time we reached Dharamshala—split into Lower Dharamshala and Upper Dharamshala (Mcleodganj)—we were tired yet instantly refreshed by the cool, pine-scented air.

Our stay was at Hotel Pine Valley, a property that ticked all our three essentials: hospitality, food, and location.

Their simple home-style daal chawal revived me after the long road journey—perhaps a little too much, because I definitely overate!

Morning greeted us with a breathtaking green view right from our window. That's the thing about hills—they heal quietly.

(View from Hotel Window)

St. John in the Wilderness: A Church Lost in Forests

Our first stop of the day was St. John in the Wilderness, a neo-Gothic Anglican church built in 1852 and hidden amidst towering deodar forests.

To reach it, you walk down a stoned path surrounded by thick woods—mystic, peaceful, and picture-perfect.

It’s the kind of place where you can sit for hours without realizing time has passed.

Dal Lake & Naddi Sunset Point: Monsoon in Its Purest Form

A few kilometers away lie two incredibly scenic gems:

🌲 Dal Lake – a small, serene lake nestled among deodars

🌦 Naddi Sunset Point – even magical in the afternoon mist

Our taxi driver tried his best to convince us to skip these “not-so-popular” spots (classic taxi move), but we’re so glad we didn’t listen!

The misty monsoon drama unfolding over the mountains was absolutely soul-stirring.

And yes—don’t you dare leave without trying momos and Maggi at the Naddi tapris. 

Pure bliss.

(Deodar trees near Dal Lake)

(View from Sunset Point)

Bhagsunag Waterfall: Cold, Crowded & Completely Worth It

One of Mcleodganj’s star attractions, Bhagsunag Waterfall, is a short trek (around 2 km from the main market).

The place can be crowded in peak season, but the waterfall surrounded by rugged hills is worth every step.

The water is freezing. I tried to avoid getting wet—but a water-sport-junkie husband doesn’t really give you that option.

So yes, drenched but happy!.

Namgyal Monastery: Colours, Calm & The Spirit of Tibet

Our last destination for the day was the majestic Namgyal Monastery, the personal monastery of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

The temple complex is immaculate and peaceful.

This was where I finally learned the meaning of the Tibetan prayer flags I’ve always admired:

Blue – sky

White – air

Red – fire

Green – water

Yellow – Earth 

Arranged left to right, they signify harmony and balance.

Large prayer wheels line the temple interiors, and spinning them is believed to have the same merit as chanting “Om Mani Padme Hum.”

The silence here has its own language.

Day 2: Exploring Dharamshala

🏏 Himachal Pradesh Cricket Stadium (HPCS)

One of the world’s highest sports grounds, with a Tibetan-style main pavilion.

The views from the stands will make you believe you’re sitting inside a postcard.

(From the stands of HPCS)

🇮🇳 War Memorial

Located in the middle of a quiet pine forest, the Dharamshala War Memorial honors soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1947–48, 1962, 1965, 1971 operations and peacekeeping missions.

Winding pathways, stone plaques engraved with names, and beautifully designed lawns make this place a thoughtful, emotional stop..

(Inside view of War Memorial)

🍃 Kangra Tea Gardens

Stretching across both sides of the Dharamshala–Palampur road, the lush green tea gardens are a soothing visual treat.

Not much to “do,” but so much to feel.

(Kangra Tea Gardens)

And Finally… A Hidden Beauty of Mcleodganj

Throughout the town, if you observe with a little patience, you’ll notice beautiful murals on the walls—social messages, spiritual motifs, creative splashes of color.

They’re easy to miss, but once you notice them, they stay with you.

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And That’s a Wrap (For Now…)

With that, our Dharamshala–Mcleodganj trip ended.

We left with full hearts, drenched clothes, overfed stomachs, and memories wrapped in mist and prayer flags.

From here, we headed straight to Dalhousie—a story I’ll share in the next blog..