Growing up in New York City, I always have been fascinated by the interaction between nature and humanity. Even in Central Park – our biggest green area – you’re never more than a turn of the head from the towering skyline or a man-made object.

In McLeod Ganj, India, the opposite is true.

Paragliding high above Dharamasala and McLeod Ganj is a popular leisure activity in town and costs less than $100

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Buildings, Nature and Indian Mountainsides
McLeod Ganj :: Bhagsu :: Daramkot :: Naddi

In McLeod Ganj, Dharamasala, India, nature’s interaction with humanity is infinitely more tranquil and integrated. Lush green hills hug rows of colorful buildings while single farmhouses dot the nearby forest. Houses are horizontally and vertically staggered so that everyone has a view of the mountainside and Himalayas.

Homes and guesthouses are nestled between the forest and below the Himalayas in McLeod Ganj, India

 

The Himalayas tower high above Naddi, in McLeod Ganj, Dharamasala

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::\/\/\/\/::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Religion Hides in Nature above McLeod Ganj

A stupa in the forest between McLeod Ganj and Bhagsu

Temples in India come in all shapes and sizes. Stupas, chortas, dagobas and other religious structures don’t have to be national icons to be equally as important to the devotee. In the towns surrounding McLeod Ganj and Dharamasala, these temples are often found nestled under a tree or cocooned in a bush. Walking across a field becomes a scavenger hunt of religion and a moment of zen or prayer is never far away.

My favorite walk in the area was from our guesthouse in Bhagsu to the Himalaya Yoga Center in Dharamkot. Every morning for a week, Carrie, Lauren and I walked past these hidden gems, stopping to admire the beauty of each one while gazing out on the early-morning sun.

Chorta in the Trees - Bhagsu, India

Carrie, Lauren and I walked past this little shrine every morning on our journey to the Himalaya Yoga Institute. It was located between Bhagsu and Dharamkot, in upper McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, India

A shrine hidden in the mountainside outside the Shiva Cafe, on top of the Bhagsu Waterfall in McLeod Ganj, India

To reach this stupa, I had to climb down the mountainside next to the road between McLeod Ganj and Bhagsu

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::\/\/\/\/::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The McLeod Ganj Skyline

Of all the viewpoints in Dharamasala, my personal favorite was on the road between McLeod Ganj and Bhagsu. In particular, I fell in love with this one spot where a rainbow of Tibetan prayer flags formed an arch around the equally-colorful skyline.

My favorite view of the McLeod Ganj skyline, taken on the road to Bhagsu with Tibetan prayer flags flanking the city

For nearly a month, I photographed the McLeod Ganj skyline from that walk. On a few rare occasions, the skies were bright blue. Most days, they were some combination of cloudy, stormy, hazy or foggy. The above is my favorite.

Below is a pair of my other favorite skyline shots: taken all over town.

A stormy late-afternoon McLeod Ganj skyline from the road to Bhagsu

The sick view of McLeod Ganj and the Himalayas from the top floor of the Dalai Lama Complex

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::\/\/\/\/::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Finally, the below shot is of Naddi: a teeny town beneath the Himalayas, located an hour ride up from McLeod Ganj. I think there may be more buildings under construction than there are inhabited.

The 'skyline' of Naddi, a small town high above McLeod Ganj, Dharamasala

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::\/\/\/\/::::::::::::::::::::::::::

What cities have you visited that have a similar skyline, shrouded in trees?

Do you live in one? I’d love to see photos!

…or…

view more photography from India