If you have the time and want to veer slightly off the beaten track, definitely head southeast of Dharamsala toward the gently undulating tea-covered hills of Kangra Valley. Although it lacks any particular charms of its own, Palampur is a popular starting point for Kangra Valley. Nearby is Tashijong Monastery, a colorful gompa established in the years after the Dalai Lama made his home in Dharamsala. The neighboring town of Baijnath is the site of the beautiful Saivite Vaidyanath Temple complex (Baijnath Main Rd.; daily 5am-9pm in summer and 6am-8pm in winter), one of the more interesting and best-preserved Hindu shrines in Himachal Pradesh, dating back to the early-13th century. Surrounded by a wall decorated by fine carvings, the main temple enshrines a squat Shiva lingam protected by a five-headed metallic cobra; devotees usually cover the lingam with flowers and other offerings. A half-hour drive in the other direction will take you to Andretta Pottery and Craft Society (tel. 01894/25-4243; www.andrettapottery.com), where the extremely passionate Jugal Kishore will be happy to explain the objectives behind this training school -- modest accommodation is available for those who feel like attending short-term classes.
Pragpur (6 hr. from Shimla; 7 hr. from Manali; 4 hr. from Taragarh) is a time-trapped village with mud-plastered, slate-roofed houses, elegant havelis (mansions), Italianate buildings, and narrow cobblestone roads. Designated India's first official "Heritage Village," this tiny hamlet was founded as a memorial to a brave warrior princess who led a resistance against invaders in the 17th century. Pragpur is wonderful to explore, a veritable warren of tiny lanes and old, atmospheric buildings. The surrounding landscape offers opportunities for nature walks, cycling, bird-watching, and fishing. Upper Pragpur is known for its home-weaving industry, so this is the place to look for good deals on local crafts. Spend the night in Pragpur's beautiful Judge's Court, one of Himachal's most enchanting hotels (reviewed below). Near Pragpur is the strangely named Pong Lake, officially known as Maharana Pratap Sagar -- a reservoir that attracts local and migratory birds, mostly from Siberia (best time to visit: Oct/Nov-Mar/Apr). Some 1,300 hundred species of birds are found in the Indian subcontinent, of which more than 500 species are present in Kangra -- if you're interested it's worth picking up a copy of the Birds of Kangra by Jan Willem den Besten, a very comprehensive book on the extensive birdlife of this region.
