Hidden Places!!!
Drive past quickly and you'll miss it.
St John's church, Forsyth Ganj, Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, is easy to miss - hidden as it is amidst tall deodar trees. It is no wonder that it also goes by the name 'The Church in the Wilderness'.
St John's
church is supposed to be one of the oldest cathedrals in India. Built in 1852, in a gothic style
it is known for its spectacular architecture and beautiful stained glass windows.
(Oh, how I wish I had taken more pictures).
It lies 3-4 kms just off the main road from McLeod Ganj towards Forsyth Ganj, on village Naddi road (Upper Dharamsala), Himachal Pradesh, India.
Be sure to ask for directions at McLeod Ganj before you go.
It opens on Sunday mornings for service (this was 5 years ago - not sure about now).
You must spare at least half an hour to visit this place but be warned you might end up spending more time here as the greenery, peace and quiet will make you just sit and soak in the serenity on the grassy slopes.
It is a must see if only for its location, architecture and Belgian stained glass windows.
The
churchyard houses the grave of Lord James Bruce (Earl of Elgin),
Viceroy and Governor General of India in the 1800s. The well tended graveyard also houses graves of
a few other Britishers - many of them were the victims of the 1905 earthquake. You can read their names engraved there.
Make a stop here if you are in this area....Ciao!!!!
Drive past quickly and you'll miss it.
St John's church, Forsyth Ganj, Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, is easy to miss - hidden as it is amidst tall deodar trees. It is no wonder that it also goes by the name 'The Church in the Wilderness'.
(Oh, how I wish I had taken more pictures).
It lies 3-4 kms just off the main road from McLeod Ganj towards Forsyth Ganj, on village Naddi road (Upper Dharamsala), Himachal Pradesh, India.
Be sure to ask for directions at McLeod Ganj before you go.
It opens on Sunday mornings for service (this was 5 years ago - not sure about now).
You must spare at least half an hour to visit this place but be warned you might end up spending more time here as the greenery, peace and quiet will make you just sit and soak in the serenity on the grassy slopes.
It is a must see if only for its location, architecture and Belgian stained glass windows.
