Little Lhasa of India:
Upper Dharamsala (in fact named MacLeod Ganj) was founded in 1850 by a British lieutenant who was the governor of Punjab. “MacLoo” as locals call it was completely destroyed in 1905 by an earthquake. It lies right on the tectonic plate…
Not much happened in Macleod Ganj until 1960 when the Indian Government accepted the Dalai Lama and other Tibetans as refugees and allowed them to settle in the area. Nowadays, there are more Tibetans than Indians in the town. The Indian authorities have not spent much money on the maintenance of the infrastructures and as a result many of the facilities including the roads and drains have deteriorated over the years. Lately however there has been some improvement in development aid and changes are being seen.
Nevertheless Macleod Ganj is quaint and picturesque with the two or perhaps you can say three streets laid out like a necklace adorned with guesthouses, hotels, restaurants, vegetable stalls and businesses of the Tibetans, Kashmiris and Indians. And yes all the businesses of tour agents and transport operators. Indeed everything that is required to fill the needs of locals and foreigners alike. And difficult as it may be for outsiders to comprehend, there is remarkable efficiency and competency to be found in the town that truly complements the serenity of the local dwellers. In the general confusion of everyday commerce that is commonplace in India, Macleod Ganj is truly unique and a place of refuge for travellers seeking respite from the heat, noise and pollution.