TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs
Traveling

Life in Upper Bhagsu, Dharamshala June 16-23, 2018

Life in Upper Bhagsu, Dharamshala

Location: Upper Bhagsu, Dharamshala (city), Himachal Pradesh (state), India

Upper Bhagsu Vibe
After my 2-night stint in lower Upper Bhagsu, I trekked up to a higher elevation to Upper Bhagsu adjacent to Upper Dharamkot (equally as fascinating as Upper Bhagsu). I paid for a week at Rp 200/night - the cheapest I could find. I had a spacious room for myself with shared bathroom. I could climb up my neighbor's roof and enjoy the view as I do my morning yoga. Every passing day in my new neighborhood got better. This elevated location through mountain trails carrying your heavy luggage already filters the community in mindset and density. It's not crowded and you only meet the most wonderful people. Here, nearly everyone is steeped in their spiritual evolution. Talks always default to yoga, meditation, reiki, panchakarma, ayahuasca, etc. Hippies converge here - they look it, talk it and smoke ganga like Cheech and Chong!

Meir and MarcoMeir and Marco
Just to showcase how committed these people are to their quest for spirituality, I bumped separately into Meir and Marko - cool guys I met on the bus from Rishikesh to Dharamshala. I got into a talk with Meir about meditation. When we hit an impasse, he took out from his pack, a 2-inch book on meditation to prove his point!

While having dinner with Marco, I mentioned my interest in complementing my yoga with ayurveda. Without missing a beat, he pulls out a thick book entitled "Ayurveda and Yoga" from his pack. Whoa! These guys and everyone else I met are dead serious and committed.

Cafe Scene
There are lots of cafes in Upper Bhagsu/Upper Dharamkot. I've gone to nearly all - Salvation Cafe, Heena Cafe, Dream Catcher Cafe, Shiva Cafe, Nirvana Cafe, Birdhouse Cakerie and Backpackers Kafenio. They are all wonderful. But like water finding its own level, I defaulted to Friend's Corner Cafe. I would meet and talk to just everyone there as I became a familiar face. They don't have wifi which is perhaps a good thing. The front side are tables overlooking the valley where people talk to each other. The back side have huge rocks with a comfy space where musicians would often gather and play music - anyone can jam. Prices are reasonable and owners are welcoming.

Life in Upper Bhagsu, Dharamshala
chill vibe at Friend's Corner Cafe with Kylie, Nina and Robito

NicoNico and Rajnika
Almost like a permanent fixture at Friend's Corner was Nico and Rajnika. These are 2 people that impressed me. They usually keep to themselves and are unassuming but everybody knew them and were given a courteous acknowledgement. I would have written a full story on Nico and Rajnika (with full contact info) but they didn't want it. I wanted to help put the word out about them and say 'Thank you for the classes' in my own currency. But they said that the ones who learn about them and seek them out are the right students - no social media or online hype required. In this day of dime-a-dozen self-proclaimed gurus who crave to be the next Youtube sensation but are only a week ahead of their students, I truly respect Nico and Rajnika's balance and restrain.

Chi Gong
It wasn't after a few days until someone told me that Nico teaches chi gong on a donation basis. What really got my attention was Nico taking a flight of steps on a handstand! I didn't see this myself but I trust the one who told me so. I showed up to his 6:30-8:30am daily class. The class was exhilarating as Nico was highly skilled and knowledgeable. He has been learning chi gong from many teachers for the last 15 years. I invited other friends to join - Kylie, Greg, Navraj, Meir, etc. Kylie became a regular.

Throat Vibration
As if chi gong is not enough, at one point, Nico also offered a throat vibration class - for lack of a better name to call it. We produced a sound (not a voice) by vibrating our throat. We would then manipulate this sound but drawing it from various parts of our body in various constrictions - pulling and activating energy from all over. Nico and Rajnika emulated the sound of a didgeridoo. Essentially, we were hyperventilating - inhaling deep to slowly extend our outbreath to produce the sound and to inhale fully again and repeat the cycle. At the end of it, we went into meditation. It was intense!

I heard from another source that Nico gives a special intuitive massage - and can command a hefty price on the market if he wishes to. Wow, this guy is has a lot of dimension to him! I'm sure he has many layered talents/skills hidden still.

Chi Gong with Rajnika
On my last day in Upper Bhagsu, only me and Rajnika showed up for chi gong. Rajnika said perhaps it was meant to be that way so she can teach me one-on-one to make the necessary corrections. All the while, I thought Rajnika was Nico's student, but apparently, Rajnika is a competent chi gong teacher as well. Her verbal articulation in a minimalist way was both poetic and precise - a rare combination. She pointed out the nuances of the pose, breath and visualization. I couldn't hug her enough after the session.

Kali
Another character in Upper Bhagsu was a shamanic lady, Kali. She was a powerful presence with an equally powerful voice that reverberated into the stillness of the night. She dominates any conversation but in a good way - she's a dear. Expectedly, it didn't take long before everybody knew her as she openly offered a potent nirvanic rush more powerful than ayahuasca thru the use of toad toxin, popularly known as 5-MeO-DMT. She aggressively advertised and talked about it. While 5-MeO-DMT remains unregulated, she caught the attention and ire of some of the locals who found her alarming. One morning, 20 police personnel raided her room. I talked to her the day after. She was still shaken but her ordeals are far from over. I just hope all turns up well for her. My thoughts go with you Kali.

Greg and KylieGreg and Kylie
It's so cool that 2 friends from Rishikesh are also here - Greg and Kylie. I hung out with Greg at Salvation Cafe and caught up with the latest. I haven't met anyone doing the full spectrum of what's out there - yoga, spiritual pilgrimage, chakra healing, meditation, reiki, craniosacral therapy, ecstatic dance, etc. He's totally into it.

Kylie was a regular at my yoga class in Rishikesh. She did Iyengar yoga in Dharamshala and joined me for chi gong and throat vibration with Nico. We also did the meditation at Tushita Temple. Always a delight to spend quality moment with cool friends who are serious about being on the path.

Ending Thoughts
I would have extended my stay in Upper Bhagsu after my one week, but something pleasantly surprising happened. I had to move to McLeod Ganj to be a yoga teacher at Pema Thang Guest House. I will save up on lodging, make a little money and deepen my yoga. The hustle and bustle of McLeod Ganj is light years away from the tranquility of Upper Bhagsu but I welcome the abundance and challenge that lies ahead. Another mini-life in the making.

My 7 days in Upper Bhagsu was nothing less than magical. The cool mountain climate, the scenic valley view, the eclectic cafe scene, the chill denizens who endured the high climb with their heavy luggage to pursue their spirituality, the affordability of the place, its isolation, the be-in events, etc., all amounted to a sensory bliss that permeates. I would put Dharamshala in my Top 3 destinations together with Penang (Malaysia) and Ubud (Bali, Indonesia).

--- TheLoneRider
YOGA by Gigit Yoga by Gigit | Learn English Learn English | Travel like a Nomad Nomad Travel Buddy | Donation Bank Donation Bank for TheLoneRider

p.s. I would have taken more pictures, specially the wonderful people I met. But moments were so magical I felt it would disrupt the flow. I simply let go, allowing the moments to take place without immortalizing them into pixels.



Facebook Users

Reader Comments:

Laura PearceLaura Pearce
(June 25, 2018) So looking forward to getting back there in August..hope you stick around!

TheLoneRiderTheLoneRider
(June 25, 2018) aww....my visa expires July

laura_pearceLaura Pearce
(June 25, 2018) Nepal July..back to India August! Sri Lanka?

Next stop: Conducting Yoga Classes at Pema Thang Guest House, Dharamshala, India


Dharamshala Map
Google Map

Dharamshala (city), India

hotels in Dharamshala hotel


Travel Tips
  1. the Dalai Lama's scheduled public teachings in Dharamshala are as follows: September 4-7, 2018 | October 3 - 6, 2018 | February 19, 2019. To register, visit this page: https://www.dalailama.com/office/contact
  2. in June, the average temperature high is 31° and average low is 21°. It rains usually in the afternoon/evening beginning mid-June
  3. July and August see the most rainfall, up to 22 inches
  4. Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) happens 30 October to 2 November in McLeod Ganj
  5. at the Tibetan Museum in McLeod Ganj, there is a daily 11am and 3pm movie screening of Tibet-related issues at INR 10
  6. trekking is one of the highlights in Dharamshala - to Dharamkot, Bhagsu, cutting through Dhauladhar to the upper Ravi Valley and Chamba district, or the 8km trek to Triund
  7. Wednesday is vegetarian day - other days, meat dishes are served by cafes and restaurants
  8. Bhagsu and Dharamkot are a quiet alternative to McLeod Ganj. They are also cheaper in accommodation when the Dalai Lama is in town and McLeod Ganj hostels are fully booked (with inflated prices)
  9. If you wish to stay in McLeod Ganj but want quiet, stay along Jogiwara Road where balconies will offer scenic views
  10. short power outages frequently happen during the day
  11. for quiet stays and scenic views, stay in Upper Dharamkot or Upper Bhagsu. The "upper" you go, the cheaper the accommodation prices go.
  12. in Upper Dharamkot is a cluster of cafes and lodging (Salvation Cafe area)where the community is chill

How to get to Dharamshala from Rishikesh by bus

  1. bus terminal Bus - Rishikesh to Dharamshala is 449 kms. The usual route is to go to Haridwar and take the State transport buses to Lower Dharamshala, but it's less hassle to get a bus from Rishikesh that go all the way up to McLeod Ganj - a little more money (INR 1150) but worth it specially if you a carry bulky pack. You will leave Rishikesh 4pm and arrive in Dharamshala the following day (you save one night lodging) at 7am.

How to get to New Delhi Airport from McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala by bus

  1. bus terminal Bus From McLeod Ganj bus station, take a semi-sleeper a/c overnight bus, INR 1000, 11.5 hours (7pm to 6:30am) straight to Kashmiri Gate Train Station in New Delhi.
  2. walk to Kashmiri Gate (no need to ride a tuktuk)
  3. take the Yellow Line towards Huda City but get off at New Delhi Station (INR 16)
  4. From New Delhi Station, take the Airport Metro Train (INR 60) and get off at the airport


Travel Tips for India
  • e-VISA - visa on arrival is no longer done. Tourists should apply online for an e-VISA. Tourist e-VISA for 60 days = US$51.25 (including surcharges, non-refundable). NOTE: e-VISA is only honored in 25 designated airports and 5 designated seaports (Cochin, Goa, Mangalore,Mumbai,Chennai). You CANNOT do a land crossing using an e-VISA.
  • US$1 = Indian Rupee (INR) 67.18
  • nearly every food served is spicy...there is no escaping it
  • other travel destinations in India
  • always good to have an Indian SIM. It's handy to get wifi in some cafes


General Travel Tips
  1. arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
  2. put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
  3. avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
  4. power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!
India Blogs

    DHARAMSHALA

  1. 16 Days in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala: Goodbye India June 23-July 8, 2018
  2. Peoplescape of Dharamshala, India June 14 - July 8, 2018
  3. Visiting the Tibet Museum June 27, 2018
  4. In Search of a Tibetan Yantra Yoga Teacher June 25, 2018
  5. Conducting Yoga Classes at Pema Thang Guest House, Dharamshala, India June 24 - July 8, 2018
  6. Life in Upper Bhagsu, Dharamshala June 16-23, 2018
  7. Trekking to Naddi from Upper Bhagsu, Dharamshala June 19, 2018
  8. Matters of the Heart Jun 17, 2018
  9. A First Timer in Dharamshala Jun 14, 2018
  10. NEW DELHI

  11. 29 Hours in New Delhi Airport July 9-10, 2018
  12. Meditation with Shirly Pnina at Lodi Garden, New Delhi May 15, 2018
  13. A First-Timer in New Delhi, India May 12-17, 2018
  14. RISHIKESH

  15. A 26-Day Mini-Life in Rishikesh May 18 - June 13, 2018
  16. Peoplescape of Rishikesh May 18 - June 13, 2018
  17. Rafting the Ganga River with Greg Goldstein June 1, 2018
  18. White Water Rafting on Ganga River, Rishikesh May 25, 2018
  19. Satsang (spiritual discourse) by Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati May 21, 2018
  20. Ganga Aarti (devotional fire ritual) at Parmarth Niketan Ashram May 21, 2018
  21. Bouncing Back into Yoga in Rishikesh May 21, 2018
  22. Exploring Rishikesh, India May 18, 2018
  23. SONAULI

  24. India e-VISA snag May 9, 2018


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