Dharamsala (Dharamsala)
After the Chinese occupation of Tibet, the Dalai Lama and his disciples fled to India and stayed in Dharamsala. Today, the city is known primarily as the seat of the Tibetan government in exile and the temporary shelter of the Dalai Lama. It is to these two facts that Dharamsala owes its incredible popularity. Most tourists and worshipers come here in March, because then the Dalai Lama gives public teachings and lectures. Over the past thirty years, the Dalai Lama has worked hard to restore peaceful relations with China. His efforts were appreciated and in 1989 r. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
The saddest side of the Tibetan conflict is fact, that the world was no longer interested in this matter, when the specter of communism disappeared. You can also suppose, that if India were not directly involved in the war with China, Tibetan refugees breaking through here would probably be handed over to the Chinese.
Tourists, genuinely interested in Tibetan culture, they should go to the monastery on McLeod Gańdź (Ganj). Halfway between the lower part of town and McLeod Ganj there is a library and a school of Tibetan sciences, considered one of the best in the world.
People with other interests can spend time in the McLeod Gańdź city center. Due to the large number of hotels and great restaurants, it is a favorite meeting place for tourists from the West. The shimmering colors of McLeod is a very original and interesting town. A small temple, in front of which, in the center of the main street, there is a huge prayer wheel, make the town attractive. The little ones make a lot of confusion here, lively, barking terriers, which are abundant on every street. The sight of colorful prayer flags floating in the air is also characteristic.
Orientation
The city is actually divided into two parts. Dharamsala occupies the lower part, while after 3 km of walking (10 km by car) we will come to the second, called McLeod Gańdź, located 500 m higher. Tibetans have settled here.
information
travel agency (23/107) it is located in the lower part of the city, near the bus stop and the Dhauladhar Hotel. The Airlines office is located below (4328). There are travel agencies on the main street in McLeod Gańdź, where you can book bus and flight tickets.
Money There are currency exchange points at the State Bank Of India branches in Dharamsala and at McLeod Ganj.
Tibetan Welfare Office
In McLeod Ganj, opposite the Koko Nor Hotel, the Tibetan Welfare Office is located, dealing with receiving gifts (mainly clothes and blankets) for Tibetan refugees.
Bookstores Tibetan Charitable Organization (Tibetan Charitable Tlust) runs a bookstore in McLeod Gańdź and a small one | a shop with handicrafts. Those interested will find books on Tibetan Buddhism here. The Tibetan Bookshop is located on the same street & Information Centre, dealing with the sale of controversial photographs showing the actions of the Chinese in Lhasa. People who are not fond of this type of experience have more cheerful literature at their disposal, offered by the Bookworm bookstore, near the State Bank of India.
Medical care
Highly appreciated by both Indian patients, and tourists from the West enjoy the alternative medicine centers in McLeod Gańdź. Many patients suffering from multiple sclerosis receive treatment from Dr. Yeshi Dhonder (2461), running his own clinic (nearby Aroma Restaurant). Opposite the Koko Nor Hotel is situated the Tibetan Medical Center (Tibetan Medicine Center; 2484). Another clinic is located near the State Bank of India.
St.. Jana
About that, that Dharamsala was originally a British city, the beautiful church of St.. Jana (near McLeod Gańju). The wonderfully designed stained glass windows deserve special attention. W 1863 r. Lord Elgin is buried there, governor general of India.
Kangaroo Museum of Art
Museum (wt.-sb., 10.00-17.00) is located in Dharamsala, below the tourist office. It has a collection of miniatures painted by artists belonging to the Kangrian school, whose origins date back to the 17th century.
Audience with the Dalai Lama
The growing popularity of the Dalai Lama makes, that only a few willing, seeking a private audience, manages to meet him at his home in Dharamsala. That there would be such a meeting, they must be ordered at least four months in advance from the Dalai Lama's private office in McLeod Ganji. However, people going to a public audience have a much better chance of seeing a Tibetan captain. Information about it, where and when it is to take place, is provided by the office staff of the Dalai Lama.
Meeting with the fourteenth incarnation of Chenresig (in Tibetan Buddhism, the deity of mercy) it is a sublime and unique experience: however, not so much in terms of title or honor, that the Dalai Lama is bestowed on, but most of all because of the wonderful atmosphere, which it produces around itself. One of my American friends said: “Looking closely at the Dalai Lama, one gets the impression, that an ordinary man is standing before you; however, it is enough to look at it from a distance, to find out, that everything around is filled with his presence ".
After a long wait, which, for unknown reasons, began to turn into anxiety, we were asked to move from the waiting room to the audience hall. Although the meeting with the Dalai Lama did not last long, however, the feelings and impressions associated with it will always remain in my memory. It was my focus that caught my attention, with which the Dalai Lama listens to the questions, and then he is silent for a while, thinking about it, what was said. Thanks to this, his words take on the value of a fully thought-out answer and are far from the often too spontaneous reactions of other interlocutors. The wisdom of the thoughts of the Dalai Lama comes alive in the words he utters, in common sense and knowledge of the world.
I remember his friendly and sincere look today, a firm handshake and an almost palpable aura of mercy shown to everyone. But the Dalai Lama is also famous for his great sense of humor. He laughs often, delighting their listeners. Because his laughter does not equal others. He tilts his head back and then slowly breaks free from the depths of his soul, though with increasing intensity, contagious giggle, full of unrestrained joy.
When our meeting was over, The Dalai Lama escorted us to the door. As a goodbye, each shook his hand. The Dalai Lama took a hand in both hands and nodded slightly, he looked into our eyes, and then his face lit up in a smile. We were completely stunned by this meeting. Walking through the streets of McLeod Gańdź, it seemed to us, that we are floating above the ground, and the only thing, which connected us with the world at that time, there was a fiery smile, that the Dalai Lama resurrected in us.