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Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj, India:
Home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan community in Exile.
Visitors come from all over the world to McLeod Ganj- the former British Hill station located above Dharamsala City proper.
Getting to Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh:
Deluxe buses depart from Delhi- approx 12 hour drive and some buses continue on the steep road up to McLeod Ganj.
Dharamsala Airport is at Gaggal (DHM)
Check on flights from Delhi.
Some more helpful travel information from the Tushita website:
https://tushita.info/faq/location-and-travel-information/
Very informative websites below to learn more about the Tibetan community in exile:
Tibet Museum in McLeod Ganj: Exhibitions, talks and activities: www.tibetmuseum.org
Tibet Children’s Village: www.tcv.org.in/content/tcv-upper-dharamsala
www.dalailama.com
www.tibet.org
www.savetibet.org
www.freetibet.org
Cry of the Snow Lion– a beautiful and powerful documentary on the history, culture and struggles of Tibet. www.cryofthesnowlion.com
Accomodation in McLeod Ganj:
Filled with guesthouses for a budgets, but below is my favorite:
Pema Thang Guesthouse located up on quiet Hotel Bhagsu Road:
Make sure request room with a view! Nice restaurant with a view too. A walkway brings you down to Chonor House and into the Dalai Lama Temple compound.
https://pemathangguesthouse.com/
Chonor House: the most upscale in McLeod Ganj a short walk from the Dalai Lama’s Temple.
https://norbulingkahotels.org/about-chonor-house/
Tushita Meditation Centre:
Tushita is located a few km above McLeod Ganj in Dharamkot.
Offering a series of courses and retreats in Tibetan Buddhist tradition:
Lots of info and links on their site: https://www.tushita.info
Founded by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche along with the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition.
More info on centers worldwide: https://fpmt.org
Glen Svensson: a wonderful Tushita teacher also teaches elsewhere in the world. More information including links to talks: www.glensvensson.org
Beyond Dharamsala:
Norbulingka Institute – approx 30min. drive from Dharamsala:
Dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan arts providing training in the art of sculpture, thangka painting and applique.
https://norbulingka.org/pages/our-vision-preserving-tibetan-culture
A worthwhile day trip from McLeod Ganj or spend more time here…
The Norling Guesthouse is very comfortable amidst the peaceful gardens. They also manage Chonor House in McCleod Ganj.
https://norbulingka.org/pages/norbulingka-accommodation
Bir and Deerpark Institute:
Deerpark Institute in the Bir Valley is approx 2 hours drive from Dharamsala:
Founded by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche from Bhutan.
Offering courses and retreats in all classical Indian traditions.
https://deerpark.in/