Place Details:
Home of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the exiled Tibetans, the Tsuglagkhang Complex is considered a sacred haven for Tibetans. It lies in the southwestern end of Mcleodganj in Himachal Pradesh, and pilgrims from all over visit the complex. But Tsuglagkhang is more than just the official residence of the Dalai Lama, also called the Photang. it also has the Namgyal Gompa, a Tibetan museum and the Tsuglagkhang temple. The temple itself has three major deities. The first is the bronze Sakyamuni Buddha, standing three meters tall. The other two are Avalokitesvara and Padmasambhavna, the Buddha of compassion and an idol facing Tibet, respectively. Interestingly, the Dalai Lama is said to be a reincarnation of the Buddha of compassion. ALSO READ: What to do in Dharamsala: Your complete 5-day Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj itinerary
The massive iron-gated entrance to the temple is the first thing you see when you reach the complex. If there is no teaching in progress, you can take your phones and camera in too. Once inside, you also have the Tibet Museum, showcasing the history of Tibetans’ struggles over the centuries and the Chinese invasion. The Namgyal Gompa is where you’ll find debates between monks. When you’re here, make sure you perform the sacred tradition of Kora, where you walk clockwise around a sacred site. The ritual takes you through a beautiful hillside trail through prayer flags and shrines and prayer wheels. Don’t expect to meet the Dalai Lama though; private audiences are usually not allowed. To catch the teachings that happen at the temple, you need to register two or more days early.
BEST TIME TO VISIT DHARAMSALA
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Dharamsala is as given below. The best time to visit Dharamsala is also specified.
