This is the view from the personal monastery of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, and is situated at Mcleod Ganj, in the Dharamshala district of Himachal Pradesh. The original monastery in Tibet was re-established here in northern India following the unsuccessful uprising against Chinese rule in 1959 when the Red Chinese invaded Tibet.

The monastery now has nearly two hundred monks, the younger monks are engaged in study of the major texts of Buddhist Sutras and Tantras while at the same time pursuing the modern studies of both Tibetan and English Language.

Namgyal Monastery - Dharamshala visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Namgyal Monastery' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Himachal Pradesh.

Panorama of the Namgyal Monastery, the personal monastery of Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, is situated in the hills near to Dharamsala where His Holiness resides whilst in exile from Tibet. The monastery is non-sectarian and is responsible for sustaining and teaching the rituals and practices of the four main lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.

The original 55 monks, who fled along with the Dalai Lama due to the Chinese invasion, have joined with young new monks from refugee Tibetan schools to share in and preserve the honour of performing the annual sacred rites and rituals established by an earlier Dalai Lama for "the temporal and spiritual benefits and prosperity of Tibet and its people, and for world peace in general".

Alongside their studies, the rituals performed by the monks include making coloured sand mandalas, carving sculptures made from butter and performing sacred dances and chants. For those interested in Buddhism, the monastery is also an educational center which supplies teachings via multimedia products.

Visitors are welcome by arrangement. The monastery is the main seat of His Holiness and there are other Namgyal monasteries and centers of learning around the world including at Ithica, New York in the United States of America.

Namgyal Monastery
P.O. Mcleod Ganj
Dharamshala, Distt. Kang
HP 176219 INDIA
Tel: 0091 01892 221492
Fax: 0091 01892 221410

Mcleod Ganj can be reached by rail via Kangra, Nagrota or Pathankot. The nearest airport is Gaggal.