Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan people, is popularly known as Little Tibet. Read to know more about it. Visitors to this quaint Indian town would be surprised to find signboards in Tibetan. On the streets, Buddhist monks, Tibetan shopkeepers, western hippies, and tourists rub shoulders with each other. This is Dharamsala, popularly known as Indias little Tibet. Dharamsala is situated in Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of 1,475 metres above sea level. The town itself comprises Lower Dharamsala, which is a busy commercial centre, and Upper Dharamsala or McLeod Ganj. Almost 450 metres higher, McLeod Gang, with its bracing climate and magnificent view of the surrounding Dhauladhar peaks, has much to offer as a Himalayan hill station. However, it is most famous as the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile. In this articleHistoryTourist attractionPlaces to see History Dharamsala is an ancient town where the Hindu faith of its locals, has mingled with the Buddhist influence of its Tibetan immigrants as long back as the 8th century A.D. During the 1800s, it developed under the British as a military base and also enjoyed popularity as a summer resort. In 1905, a devastating earthquake destroyed the town, and led to the British shifting their attentions to nearby Shimla. In 1960, following the invasion of Tibet, the then Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru, invited the exiled Tibetan leader, Tenzin Gyatso the 14th Dalai Lama to establish the Tibetan Government-in-exile here. Tourist attraction Today Dharamsala with its Tibetan monasteries and handicraft centres is a flourishing centre of the art and culture of Tibet. It gives travellers a glimpse into a unique culture that may otherwise be in danger of being completely wiped out. Following the Tibetan settlement, a busy market for Tibetan and Indian handicrafts and for all kinds of spiritual and religious merchandise has grown here. Elsewhere, this famous travel destination also retains the old-world charm of the British Raj. Besides, it is also a popular base for trekkers. Places to see Namgyal Monastery This is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries outside Tibet. It was built by the Third Dalai Lama in the late1500s. Part of the monastery complex is the Tsuglag Khang or the Main Temple. The temple has a grand three-metre statue of Sakyamuni Buddha that is fashioned out of gilded bronze. Next to it are the images of Padmasambhava, believed to be the founder of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, and Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, both built to face Tibet. All around one can find the rotating prayer wheels, prayer flags, and carved rocks that are an integral part of Tibetan worship. Next to the monastery complex is the current residence of the Dalai Lama. Gangchen Kyishong This houses the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile and the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. The complex also houses the beautiful Nechung Oracle Monastery. The Men-Tsee-Khang, or the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute is also situated here. Chamunda Devi Temple Fifteen kilometres away from Dharamsala, located in a village called Dadh, is the temple of Goddess Chamunda Devi. Its location provides some stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Church of St. John in Wilderness Built in 1852, this charming church has fine stained glass windows. Lord Elgin, a British Viceroy, lies buried here. Bhagsu Nag Located on the outskirts of Dharamsala, this waterfall is a major attraction. Nearby is an old temple. The chilly water falls to form a pool where people can take a dip, before it flows out to form a stream. This area also has some good trekking opportunities. Dharmkot Dharamkot is situated on the crest of a hill outside the town of Dharamsala. It makes an ideal picnic spot, with good trekking trails in the area. The view of the mountains above, as well as the Kangra valley spread out below, is quite memorable. Dall Lake This lake is situated about 11 kilometres from Dharamsala. It forms a cool serene spot shaded by Deodar trees and is ideal for a picnic.
Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan people, is popularly known as Little Tibet. Read to know more about it. Visitors to this quaint Indian town would be surprised to find signboards in Tibetan. On the streets, Buddhist monks, Tibetan shopkeepers, western hippies, and tourists rub shoulders with each other. This is Dharamsala, popularly known as India's little Tibet.
Dharamsala is situated in Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of 1,475 metres above sea level. The town itself comprises Lower Dharamsala, which is a busy commercial centre, and Upper Dharamsala or McLeod Ganj. Almost 450 metres higher, McLeod Gang, with its bracing climate and magnificent view of the surrounding Dhauladhar peaks, has much to offer as a Himalayan
hill station. However, it is most famous as the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
History
Dharamsala is an ancient town where the Hindu faith of its locals, has mingled with the Buddhist influence of its Tibetan immigrants as long back as the 8th century A.D. During the 1800s, it developed under the British as a military base and also enjoyed popularity as a summer resort. In 1905, a devastating earthquake destroyed the town, and led to the British shifting their attentions to nearby Shimla.
In 1960, following the invasion of Tibet, the then Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru, invited the exiled Tibetan leader, Tenzin Gyatso the 14th Dalai Lama to establish the Tibetan Government-in-exile here.
Tourist attraction
Today Dharamsala with its Tibetan monasteries and handicraft centres is a flourishing centre of the art and culture of Tibet. It gives travellers a glimpse into a unique culture that may otherwise be in danger of being completely wiped out. Following the Tibetan settlement, a busy
market for Tibetan and Indian handicrafts and for all kinds of spiritual and religious merchandise has grown here. Elsewhere, this famous travel destination also retains the old-world charm of the British Raj. Besides, it is also a popular base for trekkers.
Places to see
Namgyal Monastery This is one of the largest Tibetan
Buddhist monasteries outside Tibet. It was built by the Third Dalai Lama in the late1500s. Part of the monastery complex is the Tsuglag Khang or the Main Temple. The temple has a grand three-metre statue of Sakyamuni
Buddha that is fashioned out of gilded bronze. Next to it are the images of Padmasambhava, believed to be the founder of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, and Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, both built to face Tibet. All around one can find the rotating prayer wheels, prayer flags, and carved rocks that are an integral part of Tibetan worship. Next to the monastery complex is the current residence of the Dalai Lama.
Gangchen Kyishong This houses the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile and the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. The complex also houses the beautiful Nechung Oracle Monastery. The Men-Tsee-Khang, or the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute is also situated here.
Chamunda Devi Temple Fifteen kilometres away from Dharamsala, located in a village called Dadh, is the temple of Goddess Chamunda Devi. Its location provides some stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Church of St. John in Wilderness Built in 1852, this charming church has fine stained glass windows. Lord Elgin, a British Viceroy, lies buried here.
Bhagsu Nag Located on the outskirts of Dharamsala, this waterfall is a major attraction. Nearby is an old temple. The chilly water falls to form a pool where people can take a dip, before it flows out to form a stream. This area also has some good trekking opportunities.
Dharmkot Dharamkot is situated on the crest of a hill outside the town of Dharamsala. It makes an ideal picnic spot, with good trekking trails in the area. The view of the mountains above, as well as the Kangra valley spread out below, is quite memorable.
Dall Lake This lake is situated about 11 kilometres from Dharamsala. It forms a cool serene spot shaded by Deodar trees and is ideal for a picnic.
