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{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = McLeod Ganj
| native_name = 
| other_name = Mcllo
| nickname = Little Lhasa, or Dhasa
| settlement_type = Suburb
| image_skyline = Domaro en McLeod Ganj.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = View of McLeod Ganj
| pushpin_map = India Himachal Pradesh#India
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Himachal Pradesh, India
| coordinates = {{coord|32.238602|N|76.323878|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|Himachal Pradesh Flag, India.png}} [[Himachal Pradesh]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kangra district|Kangra]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 2082
| population_total = 11,000 (approx)
| population_as_of =
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
| demographics1_title2 = Other
| demographics1_info2 = English, Tibetan,Gaddi, Pahari, Nepali, Punjabi
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 176219
| area_code_type = Telephone Code
| area_code = 01892
| registration_plate =
| footnotes =
}}
'''McLeod Ganj''' (also spelt '''McLeodGanj''' or '''McLeodganj''') is a suburb of [[Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]] in [[Kangra district]] of [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[India]]. It is known as "Little [[Lhasa]]" or "Dhasa" (a short form of Dharamshala used mainly by Tibetans) because of its large population of [[Tibetan diaspora|Tibetans]].<ref>{{cite book
| first = Keila
| last = Diehl
| title = Echoes from Dharamshala Music in the Life of a Tibetan
| publisher = [[University of California Press]]
| year = 2002
| isbn = 978-0-585-46878-5
| oclc = 52996458
| pages = 45–46
}}</ref> The [[Tibetan government-in-exile]] is headquartered in McLeod Ganj.

==Etymology==
McLeod Ganj was named after Sir [[Donald Friell McLeod]], a Lieutenant Governor of [[Punjab (British India)|Punjab]]; the suffix ''ganj'' is a common [[Persian language|Persian]] word used for "neighbourhood".<ref name=imp>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V11_307.gif Dharamshala] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', v. 11, p. 301.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050912090230/http://www.time.com/time/asia/2005/journey/dalai.html Experiment in Exile] ''[[TIME Asia]]''.</ref>

== History ==
In March 1850, the area was annexed by the British after the [[Second Anglo-Sikh War]], and soon a subsidiary [[cantonment]] for the troops stationed at [[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]] was established on the slopes of [[Dhauladhar]], on empty land, with a Hindu resthouse or ''[[Dharamshalas|dharamshala]]''; hence the name for the new cantonment, [[Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]]. During the [[British rule in India]], the town was a [[hill station]] where the British spent hot summers, and around the late 1840s, when the district headquarters in [[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]] became overcrowded, the British moved two regiments to Dharamshala. A [[cantonment]] was established in 1849, and in 1852 Dharamshala became the administrative capital of [[Kangra district]]. By 1855, it had two important places of civilian settlement, McLeod Ganj and Forsyth Ganj, named after a Divisional Commissioner.<ref name=kang>[http://www.hpkangra.nic.in/history.htm History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221063405/https://www.hpkangra.nic.in/history.htm |date=21 December 2007 }} ''[[Kangra district]]'' Official website.</ref> In 1860, the 66th Gurkha Light Infantry, later renamed the historic [[1 Gorkha Rifles|1st Gurkha Rifles]], was moved to Dharamshala. Soon, 14 Gurkha paltan villages were established nearby and the [[Gurkha]]s patronised the ancient Shiva temple of [[Bhagsu]]<nowiki/>nath.

[[James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin|Lord Elgin]], the British [[Viceroy of India]] (1862–63), liked the area so much that at one point he suggested it be made the summer capital of India. He died at Dharamshala while on a tour there, on 20 November 1863, and lies buried at the [[St. John in the Wilderness Church (Dharamshala)|St. John in the Wilderness]] church at Forsyth Ganj, just below McLeod Ganj.<ref name=kang/> His summer residence, Mortimer House, became part of the private estate of Lala Basheshar Nath of Lahore and was acquired by the Government of India to house the official residence of the Dalai Lama.

The twin towns of Forsyth Ganj and McLeod Ganj continued to grow steadily in the coming years, and by 1904 had become important centres of trade, commerce and official work of Kangra District. Much of the town was destroyed by the devastating 7.8 magnitude [[1905 Kangra earthquake]] at 6:19 am 4 April 1905; close to 19,800 people were killed and thousands were injured in the Kangra area. The earthquake destroyed most buildings in [[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]], [[Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]], and McLeod Ganj, including the Bhagsunath Temple.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://123himachal.com/dharamsala/links/1905.htm|title=dharamsala earthquake 1905 mcleod ganj himachal india|website=123himachal.com}}</ref> Thereafter, district headquarters were shifted to a lower spot, and the town waited another half century before anything significant transpired in its history.<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE6DF153CF93AA15757C0A966958260 Where the Dalai Lama Dwells] ''[[New York Times]]'', 29 April 1990.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.world66.com/asia/southasia/india/himachalpradesh/mcleodganj|title=McLeod Ganj|access-date=10 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303132518/http://world66.com/asia/southasia/india/himachalpradesh/mcleodganj|archive-date=3 March 2009|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In March 1959, [[Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama]], [[Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama#Exile to India|fled to India]] after the [[1959 Tibetan uprising|failed uprising in 1959]] in [[Tibet]] against the [[Communist Party of China]]. The Indian Government offered him refuge in [[Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]], where he set up the [[Government of Tibet in exile]] in 1960, while McLeod Ganj became his official residence and also home to several Buddhist monasteries and thousands of [[Tibetan diaspora|Tibetan refugees]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcllo.com|title=McLEODGANJ - DHARAMSALA - LITTLE LHASA- HIMALAYAS - DALAI LAMA - DHARAMSALA INFORMATIVE AND COMMUNITY WEBSITE- TRAVEL -DHARAMSHALA- kANGRA- HIMACHAL PRADESH - INDIA|website=www.mcllo.com}}</ref> Over the years, McLeod Ganj evolved into an important tourist and pilgrimage destination, and has since grown substantially in population.

[[File:Dhalaudar peak from McLeod ganj cafe.jpg|thumb|Dhalaudhar peak from McLeod Ganj cafe]]

==Geography==
McLeod Ganj has an average elevation of 2,082 [[metre]]s (6,831 [[foot (length)|feet]]). It is situated on the [[Dhauladhar|Dhauladhar Range]].

The major towns near McLeod Ganj include [[Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]], [[Palampur]], [[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]], [[Sidhbari]], Tatwani, and Machhrial. Other nearby spiritual attractions include Chinmaya Tapovan (a Hindu retreat centre), Osho Nisarga (an [[Osho (Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh)|Osho]] retreat centre) and Chamunda (a pilgrimage place for Hindus). The trekking route to [[Triund]] starts from McLeod Ganj.

==Transport==
'''Air'''

The nearest airport is [[Kangra Airport]], 15 km from Dharamshala.

'''Rail'''

The nearest railway stations on the narrow-gauge [[Kangra Valley Railway]] line are at Kangra and Nagrota (about 20 km south of Dharamshala). The nearest railhead (broad gauge) is at Pathankot (85 km).

'''Bus'''

Travel by bus is the most common medium of transport used by the people. Mcleod Ganj is about 9km from Dharamshala and around 485km from [[Delhi]]. It takes about 10-11 hours of journey to reach Mcleod Ganj from Delhi via a bus, and there is regular service available with more than 4-5 buses plying everyday on the route.

==Economy==
[[File:McLeod Ganj main street.jpg|thumb|upright|Main Street, McLeod Ganj]]
[[File:Prayer Wheels at Tsuglagkhang Temple, McLeod Ganj.jpg|right|thumb|Prayer Wheels at 'Tsuglagkhang Temple', McLeod Ganj]]
Tourism is an important industry in McLeod Ganj. Many people come to study Tibetan Buddhism, culture, crafts, etc. The town is also known for Tibetan handicrafts, [[thangka]]s, Tibetan carpets, garments, and other souvenirs.

==Landmarks==
[[File:Kalachakra_Temple.jpg|right|upright|thumb|Kalachakra Temple in the main street of Mcleod Ganj]]
The most important Buddhist site in the town is [[Tsuglagkhang]] or Tsuglag Khang, the [[Dalai Lama]]'s temple. It has statues of [[Shakyamuni]], [[Avalokiteśvara]], and a statue of [[Padmasambhava]] (Guru Rinpoche).

Other Buddhist and Tibetan sites in McLeod Ganj include the [[Namgyal Monastery]], Gompa Dip Tse-Chok Ling (a small monastery), the [[Library of Tibetan Works and Archives]], Gangchen Kyishong (called Gangkyi for short by Tibetans and the premises of the Tibetan government-in-exile), Mani Lakhang Stupa, [[Nechung]] Monastery, and [[Norbulingka Institute]], which is 8 kilometres away. The 17th Karmapa, [[Ogyen Trinley Dorje]], lives near Dharamshala, in [[Gyuto]] monastery in [[Sidhbari]].

;[[St. John in the Wilderness Church (Dharamshala)|St. John in the Wilderness]]
:An Anglican church located in the forest near Forsyth Ganj. The neo-Gothic stone building was constructed in 1852. The site also has an old graveyard and a memorial to the British Viceroy [[James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin|Lord Elgin]]. The church is also noted for its Belgian stained-glass windows, donated by Lady Elgin.

;[[Dal Lake (Himachal Pradesh)|Dal Lake]]
:A small lake about 3 km from McLeod Ganj, next to one of the [[Tibetan Children's Villages]] schools. An annual fair is held there in August or September, attended mainly by the Gaddi Community. There is a small spring and an old temple near the lake. Above Dal lake is [[Naddi]] Village.

;[[Bhagsu|Bhagsu Nath]]
: An area 10 minutes' rickshaw ride from McLeod Ganj, the area has roughly 1,200 local Indians.

;[[Bhagsu Falls (Himachal Pradesh)|Bhagsu Falls]]
: Bhagsu Falls, a waterfall about 20 meters tall, is about two kilometers from McLeod Ganj. There is a cafeteria next to the falls and the area serves as a picnic spot for tourists. Nearby is Bhagsunath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, also an attraction for tourists and Hindu pilgrims. The Shiva Cafe can be reached by crossing these falls and climbing further.
:[[Jama Masjid Dharamshala]] Main Market In Kotwali Bazar, Near Old Bus Stand Dharamshala,

==Culture==
[[File:Stupa. Main street, McCleod Ganj, Himachel Pradesh. 2004.jpg|thumb|upright|Stupa. Main street, McCleod Ganj, Himachel Pradesh. 2004]]
The Tibet Museum, established in 1998 and inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama on 20 April 2000, has a collection of Tibetan artifacts and photographs showing Tibetans' struggle to preserve their way of life against oppressive forces. The museum is adjacent to the Dalai Lama temple (Tsuglag Khang). It is the official museum of the Central Tibetan Administration Department of Information and International Relations. The museum aims to spread awareness about the history of the occupation of Tibet and the exodus that Tibetan resistance against Chinese oppression ultimately led to.
Currently the 14th Dalai Lama lives here

The museum displays over 30,000 photographs. Visitors are also encouraged to watch a documentary showing the journey of Tibetan refugees into exile across the Himalayas. It is screened every day at 3 p.m. and the entry fee is INR 10.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Tibet Museum |url=http://tibetmuseum.org/visit-the-museum/ |website=tibetmuseum.org |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026013917/http://tibetmuseum.org/visit-the-museum/ |archivedate=2014-10-26}}</ref> In addition, a host of activities and events, such as talk sessions, workshops, documentary screenings are organised at the museum complex throughout the year.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

The [[Dharamshala International Film Festival|Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF)]] is held annually.

== Notes and references ==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Wikivoyage-inline}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090203210733/http://tibet.com/dasaguide.html A Guide to Little Lhasa in India] ''[[Government of Tibet in Exile]]'' website.

{{DEFAULTSORT:McLeodGanj}}
[[Category:Cities and towns in Kangra district]]
[[Category:Dharamshala]]
[[Category:Hill stations in Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Tibetan Buddhist places]]
[[Category:Tibetan diaspora in India]]
[[Category:Tourism in Himachal Pradesh]]

McLeod Ganj - Revision history

WikiDwarfBOT: Cleanup: Information added.

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