Dharmsala, Himachal Pradesh, India--A look around and the Dalai Lama Temple

Yesterday morning I arrived in Dharmshala in upper northwest India in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Dharamshala is best known as the home of the 14th Dalai Lama who has lived here in exile since 1959 along with many other Tibetan refugees. It is also the home of the Tibetan Government in Exile.

The city of Dharamshala clings precipitously to the side of the mountain. The roads are single lane and crowded on each side with all manner of Tibetan cultural restaurants, shops, bookstores, art and sculpture shops etc etc. Tibetan men and women in traditional clothes sell souvenirs in scores of open air stalls. Buddhist monks in maroon robes and shaved heads mingle in the crowd with tourists and locals.

Dharamshala clings to the hillside. The road up is steep and winding. You feel as if you are entering Tibet. Elevation is about 6000 feet.

Another view

The Himalayan peaks peek out of the clouds now and then. The temperature is a brisk 58 degrees in the day right now.

Today I visited the Dalai Lama Temple Complex. A memorial to those slaughtered in Tibet is the first thing you see as you enter.

Memorial to the Massacred of Tibet at the 

Entrance of the Dalai Lama Complex

Inside the Dalai Lama Temple I was able to witness a Tibetan Buddhist Ceremony. At first I thought the Dalai Lama himself was presiding but he was not unfortunately. He is 84 years old now and mostly only appears at official functions.

I mistakenly thought this was the Dalai Lama at first. 

Butter lamps burning in a room on the periphery of the temple. 

Beautiful Prayer Wheels Are Installed All Around the Temple perimeter.

The headquarters of many politically oriented organizations to Free Tibet are found here. Definitely an area surcharged with political feeling.

I am on foot for everything here (as usual). Getting a lot of cardio-vascular with the steep up and down walking. I looked up today to see this fine specimen of a goat above me.