Asia

[Visited: April 2024]

Finding a driver at the airport of Dharamshala was easy, and the drive pleasant as I hooked up with two ladies who were also on their way up. We had escaped the heat of Delhi, and could see majestic snow-capped mountains to the north. Dharamsala was somewhere up there, and soon enough, the road started to climb. It turned out a steep one, and our driver had always more trouble steering his car further towards Dharamshala. With quite some effort, he made it, and I walked the last bit to my hotel. This would be my base for exploring the surroundings. I concentrated on McLeod Ganj, probably the most interesting area of the city that seems sprinkled over the mountain ridges of the area. After leaving my bags behind, I directly walk to the area where the Dalai Lama resides.
Dharamshala is one of the most Tibetan cities of India, and the Dalai Lama has set up his headquarters after escaping Tibet in the late 1950s. I wander around the temple, which turns out to be a modern building, which doesn't compare to the impressive old temples I have seen in Tibet. The next day, after exploring other parts of Dharamshala and surrounding areas, I decide to walk the kora circuit around the Dalai Lama temple and residence. I start at the entrance of the complex, and walk outside the wall, of course making sure to keep the complex on my right. A baboon is sitting on a stone, watching me carefully. I make sure to keep a good hold on my bag and camera, and he hisses at me anyway. I walk around him, and soon find the first prayer flags.
The noise and crowds of McLeod Ganj are behind me now, and I have trees on my left, and prayer flags, slabs of colourful stones, and prayer wheels on my right. There are surprisingly few people walking with me. I make sure to turn the prayer wheels, and keep the mantras going. The wheels come in many sizes and colours, some are golden with brightly coloured Tibetan writings on them. There are stacks of painted stones, again with characters painted on them. And inevitably, lots of prayer flags hanging from the trees. Further down the kora, I find stupas, and see the Dalai Lama Library a little higher up. I see old women walking the kora, turning the prayer wheels, and slowly but surely making their way around this circumambulation. I wonder how many they will do today. There are memorial markers for Tibetans who lost their lives in their struggle for independence. It reminds me that if Tibet would be an independent country still, Dharmshala would likely be a very different city. Once back up the hill, near the entrance, my senses are bombarded in every possible way again. The serenity of the kora circuit is definitely behind me.

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Dharamshala Kora Circuit (India)

Dharamshala Kora Circuit > India > Asia

[Visited: April 2024]

Around the World in 80 Clicks