DAY 1 – DALHOUSIE
Ancient Temples & Colonial Relics : You will be received at Pathankot after an overnight journey by train from Delhi. Drive to Dalhousie. Check into the hotel, later move for an excursion to Khajjiar and Chamba. The major attractions here are the ancient temples including the Laxmi Narayan temple, Chamunda temple & a more than 100 years old St Andrew Church and the un spoilt beauty of the place.
DAY 2 – DALHOUSIE>MC LEODGANJ (150 km / 4 hrs)
The Little Lhasa : Begin with a visit to the four sacred churches at Dalhousie all of which date back to the colonial era. Later drive towards Mc Leodganj, a town checkered with a number of Tibetan rehabilitations and educational centers.
Mc Leodganj is also the official residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama – spiritual leader of Tibetans. Visit St John Church and Bhagsunag temple.
DAY 3 – MC LEODGANJ
Simple Living, High Thinking :Early morning drive to Chinmaya Tapovan, an ashram on the banks of Bindu Saras, which includes a 9 mt high image of Hanuman, a Ram temple, a meditation hall, a school and a health & recreation center.
Return back to Mc Leodganj and visit the monasteries in the town. Evening at leisure.
DAY 4 – MC LEODGANJ>PALAMPUR (45 km / 1.5 hrs)
Faith on Flames : After breakfast leave for an excursion to the Shaktipeeths of Jwalaji and Bajreshwari devi. The places where any of the 51 dismembered body parts of goddess Sati fell in the Himalayas are worshipped as Shaktipeeths. At Jwalaji the tongue (now signified by the nine eternal flames) and at Bajreshwari devi the left breast of Sati fell.Later move towards Palampur, a small hill station established by the British. At Palampur you see the Tashijong monastery. .
DAY 5 – PALAMPUR>MANALI (200 km / 5 hrs)
Valley of Gods : Drive northeast to reach Manali. During most of your journey you travel along the river Beas – a long but wonderful drive indeed. En route visit the ancient Baijnath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The legend says that it has the same lingam (symbol of Shiva) that Lord Shiva had given to the demon king Ravana on being pleased by his sacrifice. But Ravana could not carry it to his kingdom, as he could not lift it from here.
In Manali pay obeisance at the temples of sage Manu (the Indian Noah) & Vashisht and Hadimba (wife of Bhim, the robust Pandav brother from the Indian epic Mahabharat).
DAY 6 – MANALI > KULLU (40 km / 1.5 hr) > DELHI
The Culmination of Holy Trail : Early morning drive back to Kullu from where you board flight for Delhi. If time permits you can visit temple of Raghunathji (the processions during Kullu Dussehra start from here).
Highlights
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Most Famous Temples, Monasteries And Churches Of Himachal
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2 Shaktipeeth Temples, Seat Of Dalai Lama In Mc Leodganj
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Scenic Beauty & Salubrious Clime
