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Norbulingka Institute
Chaired by the Dalai Lama, the Norbulingka Institute was founded to promote traditional Tibetan arts and literary studies. At the heart of the institute is an ornamental garden, with shrines and water features. This is overlooked by the imposing Deden Tsuglakhang (main temple) which houses a gilded copper statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, the largest of its kind outside of Tibet. |
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Norbulingka is well known for its Losel Doll Museum, where a collection of 160 dolls depict Tibetan regional, ritual, religious, official and theatrical scenes. The dolls were produced over 15 years by a team of Losel monks . The institute also has an upmarket shop (with a second branch in McLeodganj), selling Tibetan designer textiles, clothes, furniture and handicrafts. These are produced at on-site workshops, where visitors can to watch the artisans at work. Norling Café serves Tibetan and continental cuisine in a dining area decorated by Norbulingka artists. |
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Dhauladhar Nature Park
Set amid forests of deodar (Himalayan cedar), horse chestnut, walnut and maple, this large,
mountainside park features well-maintained gardens with specimens of flora from around District Kangra,
an aviary, a zoo, observation towers and a children’s play area. The zoo has large enclosures which house
tigers, leopards, hyenas, lions, black bears, porcupines, deer (including musk and sambar) and wild boar
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Chinmaya Tapovan
Chinmaya Tapovan, a modern ashram on the banks of the Bindu Saras, was founded by the late Swami Chinmayananda. The ashram complex is notable for a nine-meter-high statue of Lord Hanuman (the monkey god), a Ram temple and a meditation hall.
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Palampur Tea Gardens
Kangra Valley is renowned for its tea plantations. At Palampur Tea Gardens, you can wander by acres of tea shrubs and, in April/May and October, see how the leaves are hand harvested. A small roadside shop sells the highest grade Kangra Green Gold premium orthodox leaf tea.
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Kangra Fort
Thought to date back to 1009 AD, Kangra Fort was built by the Katoch Dynasty and is the largest fort in the Himalayas. Standing on a steep rock in Purana (old) Kangra, and built strategically at the confluence of the Banganga and Majhi rivers, it dominates the surrounding valley. The fort was heavily damaged by the massive earthquake of 1905, but extensive excavations and restoration have been carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India.
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Masrur Rock-Cut Temple
Created in the seventh century, Masrur temple complex is situated on top of a 760-meter-high hill range.
The site actually comprises fifteen richly carved temples, all of which visitors are free to explore.
The main shrine contains three stone images of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. Masroor is one of only four
rock-cut temples in India, and represents an incredible feat of masonry. As opposed to structural
temples, where artisans can shape quarried rock as they please, cutting straight into natural rock
means that the artisan is limited in which direction he can work in pursuit of his vision.
This site is also maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
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Tata Pani Hot Springs
At Tata Pani, a branch of the River Beas flows by pebble and sand beaches and makes an ideal spot for sunbathing, picnicking and swimming. Nearby, sulphurous springs emerge from the mountainside and flow into the pool at a small temple, where visitors can take a relaxing soak and benefit from the water’s reputed medicinal properties.
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Jwalamukhi Flame Temple
This enormous Hindu temple complex is approached via a narrow road lined with shops selling dazzling flags and textiles, as well as prasad (food offerings), to the thousands of pilgrims who flock here every year. In the temple itself, nine constantly burning natural gas flames emerge from the walls. These are worshiped as a manifestation of the goddess Jwalamukhi who, according to legend, was born from a fire started by Lord Vishnu. Jwalamukhi later appeared in a dream to a Brahmin from south India and instructed him to search for the flames. Upon discovering the spot, the Brahmin erected a temple.
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Tariff
Day excursions cost from 2,000-5,000 rupees, with a choice of air-conditioned or non-air-conditioned taxi. The price is per car, as opposed to per person, with a maximum of four passengers. Larger vehicles for bigger parties can be arranged on request. Day excursions do not include meals, snacks or entrance fees, although we can recommend and transport you to local restaurants and dhabas (a dhaba is the equivalent of a Western roadside café).
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