PHOTO GALLERY: Dharamsala, India
Dharamsala is a small mountain town in the Indian Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh.
Dharamsala is primarily world famous as the base of the Tibetan government in exile and home of the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s secular and spiritual leader. HH the Dalai Lama escaped from Chinese oppression in Tibet in 1959 by walking over the Himalayan mountains to India. He established his new home in Dharamsala as well as the base of Tibetan government.
Since then many Tibetan organizations and institutes have been established to preserve all aspects of Tibetan life and culture. There are Tibetan schools for children, a Tibetan medical institute, cultural arts centers, Tibet Institute of Performing Arts, various organizations to help Tibetan refugees and torture victims, and many other charity groups.
Dharamsala town is situated on a high ridge line of a lower Himalayan mountain and offers stunning views of high snow-capped jagged peaks, dense pine forests and the lower Indian plains far below.
Rough roads and walking trails weave through forested mountains. Small villages are scattered around the neighboring mountains. Local residents go about their daily lives of farming and running shops, restaurants and hotels catering to tourists.
Mainly because of the large Tibetan community and cultural/religious center, Dharamsala has also become a major tourist destination for western travelers interested in Tibet, Buddhism, meditation,yoga and mountain trekking.
This photo gallery presents 30 photos of Dharamsala and the stunning scenery of the region.
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