The State of Himachal Pradesh is not new to Buddhism. Its two border districts of Kinnaur and Lahual-Spiti have been under the influence of Buddhism since 618-649 AD. It was, therefore, no surprise when Dalai Lama, in April 1960, chose Dharamsala, a hill station in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh, to be the place where he would reside and later made it the Headquarters of the Tibetan Government in exile. Immediately McLeodganj, a small bazaar dotted with bungalows here and there, Dharamsala came to limelight and found place in world map. Today, little Lhasa is the sobriquet attributed to McLeodganj because one sees the prayer wheels, Buddhist monks, the ochre red robes, chinky-eyed smart girls, Tibetan Jewellery, ornaments and crafts here. The wole environ is Lhasa like. Daily chant of prayers from Namgyal Monastery has a mesmerising effect. Names like Yak or Shangrila restaurant immediately takes one's imagination to the spicy and hot Tibetan cuisine, which is delicacy for tourists and attraction for natives. Yes, the natives have also accepted the culinary intrusion of the foreigners gladly and without resistance. The cuisine is so palatable and in demand that many an Indian restaurant all over the State has accommodated Momo (meat dumplings) and Thukpa (noodles in broth) in it's a la carte.
Dharamsala is bea- utiful & peaceful town, surrounded by forests of pine. Up there is Suburb of Dharamsala called Macleodganj or Little Lhasa...
