CATS: Photo Gallery: Dharamshala - McLeodGanj - Palampur

Morning of 28th of December brought along the usual feeling of excitement to be embarking on a new trail, along with the sluggishness of having to wake up earlier than the birds!

After a slightly delayed start from Chandigarh on a cold

winter morning, it was not long before a pack of 6 CATS were

on they way to Kangra....

With three kittens in the car, you can well imagine

how many time one particular question would have been asked,

'Ab aur kitni doooooor?'

and this is what was their first attraction of the day after a long drive in the hills...

Any idea what this is CATS?

Wrapped in wonder and serenity, CATS could not be blamed for feeling a little bewildered

Such is the magic of Masroor Temple just short of Kangra town....

Masroor is famous for remarkable group of highly carved

15 monolithic rock cut temples in the Indo-Aryan style, only ones of it's kind in Northern India.

The main shrine contains stone images of Ram, Laxman and Sita.

However, presence of the figurine of Lord Shiva in the

centre of the lintel affords a strong presumption that the temple was

originally dedicated to Lord Mahadev.

Rock-cut style is much more difficult than the structural one.

In the latter, the artist shapes the material as he likes,

whereas in the former the Material determines the way

the artist should move.

The limitation makes an artist creation

out of a rock a most difficult task and the ability with which

the remote artist of seventh and eighth centuries

carried out their purpose is superhuman.

Layer upon layer of the rock was carved out in minute detail which
sadly lies mostly unnoticed and in ruins today.

CAT Naveen with CAT Preeti with their sons CAT Ayush and

CAT Shivam, accompanied by little Madhav and Umang.

Although the remote location of these temples protected them

from the invading army of Mahmud Ghazni, some damage was caused to it's

stone construction during the 1905 earthquake.

CAT Naveen with Umang trying to squeeze between

the rocks displaced during the earthquake.

After this poignant halt at Masroor, CAT Naveen made a prudent

decision to skip going to Kangra Fort as it was getting dark and

the weather had started taking a turn for a little worse too.

Dharamshala... were we come... MEOW :)

The car packed with CATS, ready to stretch out SOOOON

Second morning at the beautifully located Kunal in Dharamshala...

After a sumptuous breakfast, CATS set their paws on the road....

only to disembark every now and then for a photo sessions :)

CAT Ayush bossing over little CAT Shivam and Madhav... ;-)

Dharamshala happens to house the personal monastery of
The Dalai Lama -Namgyal Monastery. It also consists of an Institute for Learning
where future Lamas are provided with higher Tibetian studies.

Thereafter came St John's Church situated in the forest
between McLeodganj and Forsythganj. It has a monument dedicated to
the then viceroy of India, Lord Elgin who dies at Chauntra (Mandi - HP)
in 1863AD. With stained glass windows and deodar woods around,
it was a beautiful halt for CATS.

The next stop of the day was at Bhagsu Nath Temple in McLeodganj.

Thanks to the winter season, the long queues at every main point of the temple were missing!

The main temple of the sizeable Bhagsunath Temple Complex..

With such clean water in the well maintained 'sarover there',

could we really blame our little kittens for calling it a swimming pool??!!!!

CAT Shivam in front of the small but sacred Bhagu waterfall,
which is supposed to have medicinal powers...

Not quite sure why, but CATS actually made their entrance from the

rear end of the temple and emerged from the main entrance gate ;-)

With Gods worshipped of two religions, it was time for some local shopping ;-)

but soon everyone was hungry.....

could not blame them, it was lunch time Mama Preeti ;-)

The hunt was not just food.. it was for Pizzas cooked at Carpe Diem ...

Walk.. Trek... WALK.....

for food glorious FOOD :P

but not before you pay obeisance at the temple of another local deity on the way ;-)

Ab to khaana de do Bhagwaan.... bachhe bhookhe hain!!

with pizzas nicely tucked away for baking in the stone hearth,
Madhav and CAT Shivam decided to have a kick about...

only to be joined by two furry CATS for lunch ;-)

With so many CATS around, could the dog be far away ;-)

Bhai-Giri :D

With a delicious lunch over, it was time for some more sight seeing.

Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Norbulingka Institute and Nechung Monastery.

The beautiful monastery of Norbulingka boasts of a rich collection of
art, paintings, handicrafts and thankas.

The Norbulingka Institute, committed to the preservation of Tibetan culture,

formally opened in 1995 and employs around 450 people,

many of whom have recently arrived from Tibet.

Umang and Madhav with CAT Shivam in front of the main figurine of Lord Budhha

Currently about 70 students are training in literary studies and a variety of
crafts including Thangka painting, metal statue work, woodwork and
needlecraft. It is a fascinating place, built in Tibetan style with Japanese
influence and set in landscaped gardens.

The towering figurine of Avalokitesvara looks ever so graceful.

It has huge stucco statue of Padmasambhava also in the premises.

and how can one leave this beautiful place with rolling the prayer drums...

Back at The Club House for a quick check on work and to put up the paws for the night...

The main discussion over dinner was the itinerary for the following day.

Given the weather conditions turning wet, windy and wild with snow fall
visible not too far away, CATS took the decision to avoid Triund the following day.