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Mcleod Ganj:
was established in the mid-1850s as a
british garrison, it was the home of the
seminomadic Gaddi tribe. There is still a
sizeable number of Gaddi families in the
villages around Mcleod Ganj. Today Mcleod
Ganj is best known as the headquarters of
the Tibetan government in exile, and is the
home of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso.
Sightseeing around Mcleod Ganj :
Tsuglagkhang:
Tsuglagkhang (Dalai Lama's Temple), is the
most important Buddhist monument in Mcleod
Ganj. Although a relatively modest
structure, it enshrines three magnificient
images, including an enormous gilt statue of
Shakyamuni, statues of Avalokitesvara and
Padamasambhava, or Guru Rinpoche, the Indian
scholar who introduced Buddhism and Tantric
teachings to Tibet in the 8th century.
Dip Tse:
Dip Tse Chok Ling Gompa, this beautiful
little gompa lies at the bottom of a steep
track which leads off the laneway past the
Om Guest House. The main prayer hall houses
an image of Shakyamuni, as well as two
enormous drums covered in goat skin and
painted around the rim, which were made by
monks at the gompa. Also here are some
superb butter sculptures, which are made
during Losar. Fine and detailed sand
mandalas are also made here.
Library:
Library of Tibetan Works & Archives, down at
Gangchen Kyishong, halfway between Kotwali
bazaar and Mcleod is the repository of
Tibet's rich literary heritage, containing
about 40% of Tibet's original manuscripts,
as well as an excellent general reference
library on the Himalayan regions and a
photographic archive
Tibetan Medical & Astrological Institute:
Tibetan Medical & Astrological Institute is
at Gangchen Kyishong, about five minutes
walk below the main entrance to the library
area. There is a museum, library, research
unit and a college at which Tibetan medicine
and astrology is taught. The museum has a
well displayed exhibition of materials used
in Tibetan medicines.
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