After his exile from Tibet in 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama established his home in the beautiful mountain town of Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India. Keeping the spiritual and peaceful country alive in India, the Tibetan community offers arts and culture courses at the serene Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture
I recently watched the movie Seven Years in Tibet, starring Brad Pitt. And Tibet became more than a contentious piece of land. A peaceful regime under the Dalai Lamas, nestled in the beautiful Himalayas, it seemed like a country that dreams are made of. For most of us, Tibet is a land lost in time. Most of the first-generation people from the exiled land have passed away. But they have left their imprints in the harmonious and gentle environs of the many monasteries that dot the mountains of India. I have visited some and I also visited the Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture in Dharamshala many years back.
Main building, with water bodies, Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India, 
Museum inside serene Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India 
View from the temple courtyard, Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India
The movie made me dig out my photograph dump. While browsing through the pictures, I realised how beautifully the community had recreated the serene environs of their native land in a few acres in the mountains of India. I could now relate the region with the institute in India and also understood the sentiments behind this initiative.
Norbulingka means Treasure Garden or Jewelled Park. The institute is named after Norbulingka in Lhasa, Tibet. Built in 1755, it was the summer palace of all the Dalai Lamas until the 14th Dalai Lama’s exile. Serving as the religious and administrative centre, it is one of the finest examples of Tibetan palace architecture. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tibet.
Coming back to my visit, I didn’t know much about Norbulingka and my first impression on entering through the huge gate was of serenity and harmony. Young people sitting in the room by the main gate were playing catchy music. A narrow path lined with bamboo and shimmering rays took me to an altar. Buddhist prayer flags and cloth symbols fluttered in the breeze. The breeze played a gentle song, rustling through the bamboo leaves and somewhere I could hear the tinkle of water.
Nestled amid the lush mountain terrain, Norbulingka offers courses in Tibetan arts and academics for enthusiasts. Artists from all over the world come to learn thangka painting, statue making, thangka applique, woodcarving, applique, wood painting, tailoring, weaving, and screen printing. There is a research section and college for those interested in Tibetan scholastics.
It has good accommodation, a clinic, museum and shop. Even holidaygoers in search of a green retreat can book their stay as there are three different kinds of places to stay.
The institute came into being in the 1980s. Kelsang Yeshi, then Minister of the Department of Religion and Culture, and his wife Kim Yeshi, dreamt of a place which would be a cradle for the revival of Tibetan art, and haven for artists.
Tibetan artists were employed to give us a visual treat with this traditional Tibetan architectural style complex. The ground plan follows the proportions of Avalokitesvara, the deity of compassion. The workshops and offices are his thousand arms, the temple his head, in the middle is a water spring which represents his kind heart.
Woodcarvers and carpenters helped to erect the buildings, and thangka painters completed the frescoes on the walls of the temple. The statue-makers crafted the 14-feet gilded Buddha,from hand-hammered copper sheets. And the final result is a stunning temple that makes you feel you have walked into paradise. The institute was inaugurated in 1995 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Norbulingka provides employment to Tibetan refugees and maintains a community where Tibetan values flourish. It offers day-care and kindergarten free of cost to all children of Norbulingka staff. The children are also provided with education on Tibetan culture and taught Tibetan language.
Adapting to Montessori methods of teaching, the children trace the traditional Tibetan letters with their fingers on sandpaper. Thus, they learn the letters as real and tangible things and not merely as symbols. There are Tibetan prayer sessions, dance performances in traditional costumes and songs.
Norbulingka reminds me that we can always bring our dreams to life, it doesn’t matter where we are.
How to reach Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture, Dharamshala
As we were staying in Palampur, we hired a taxi to take us there.
If you are staying in Dharamshala, you can take a bus for Palampur from the bus stand. Get off midway near Sacred Heart school in Sidhpur. It is a 1km walk from there.
Alternatively, you could hire a taxi for the day and see more places in McLeodganj and Dharamshala.
This blog post is part of #BlogchatterA2Z 2023 challenge.
Read previous posts A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I. J, K, L, M
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Zariya Healings.
Queen of Treasures 
An amazing monastery. I love their restaurant too
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So many wonderful places you’re sharing with us! I’ll live vicariously through these blog posts till then~~
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Nice article, thanks. I highly recommend reading the book (Seven Years in Tibet) by Heinrich Harrer. I am now inspired both to watch the movie and visit!
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First of all, I love your blog name “Queen of Treasures”. Lovely! Secondly, I’ve had 7 years in Tibet on my to-be-read list for awhile and this post is inspiring me to get to reading! Thanks for the informative post.
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I am sure that you will love the book and the movie. And gives you a good idea on how the peaceful Tibetans were forced out of their country.
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Norbulingka sounds like a fantastic place to visit, and not just for a day. I would be intrigued to try some of their arts courses, maybe the sculpting or the thangka painting to learn how to pain frescoes directly on walls. It’s so great that Norbulingka is also a social institution, helping Tibetan refugees by offering them jobs there.
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Norbulinga sounds like a great place to visit and learn so much about the Tibetan culture. I’d probably get the taxi rather than public transport and stay overnight in one of the guest houses. I would have to have time to learn to do some thangka painting or wood carving as well as learn about the existing artwork and statues around.
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What a spectacular palace! I admit, I know nothing about Tibet or Tibetan architecture, but Norbulingka really looks like heaven on Earth. I love that they provide free daycare and kindergarten to children of the staff and that they also provide employment. The phrase at the end really moved me. You really can bring your dreams to life no matter where you are.
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Wow, your experience at Norbulingka Institute in Dharamshala sounds incredible! I loved reading about how you were able to immerse yourself in Tibetan culture through the various workshops and activities offered at the institute. It’s inspiring to see how much effort the institute is putting into preserving and promoting Tibetan art, culture, and tradition. Your descriptions of the architecture and gardens were so vivid, I felt like I was there with you. Hope I can visit here one day and experience this magical place for myself.
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The Norbulingka Institute of Tibetian culture is a great place to visit. I can imagine the peaceful aura of the place nestled in the lush greenery of the Himalayas. The beautiful architecture of the monastery built in the shape of the deity is amazing with the ornate frescoes and The 14 feet gilded statue of Buddha is beautiful and it’s amazing that artists from all over the world come to learn Thangka painting, wood carving, screen printing and Tibetian refugees are given employment and their children receive education and free day care. Norbulingka Institute is truly a visitors delight with peaceful vibes.
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I would love to spend a week or two here. I think a trip to Norbulingka would be a nice break from the stress of daily living. It would be cool to learn about a bit of the Tibetan arts perhaps thangka painting or woodcarving as well as learn more about the Tibetan culture and language. We’ll surely consider visiting here soon.
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am sure you would enjoy this retreat and the neighbouring Dharamshala and McLeodganj.
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Since childhood I have visited monasteries as there is one in my neighborhood in my hometown and we loteralky grew up playing with monks😀. I was always fascinated by the designs and colours and now since I m married to a Buddhist we visit monasteries wherever n whenever possible. For that reason, Dharamshala is on our bucket list. Your post is very informative Ambica. You have shared just the desirable amount of info.
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It was very interesting to know.about your personal inclination towards Buddhism and marriage. I am sure you would enjoy your trip to Dharamshala and neighbouring Mcleodganj.
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Indeed very different post, we all need to be reminded how to keep history’s beauty alive. The way you have shared and different things you mentioned about Tibetan Culture definitely worth a reminder.
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Hats off to the community that though living away from their homeland yet stays close to its roots by keeping alive the Tibetan arts and culture through courses at the Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture! I also like the fact that one can book a stay here and experience Tibetan life closely. Thanks a lot for sharing this educative post.
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I have seen the movie and visited a monastery in Bhutan. But your description of the monastery in Dharamshala now goes on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing such a lovely calming place.
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Hope.you enjoy a trip here.
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I haven’t visited the Norbulingka Institute yet, but I can relate to recreating the environment of the native land. It looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing such a detailed post. It makes me want to visit it as soon as I can.
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Am sure you would enjoy.your visit.
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Your posts are always very informative. It is heartening to see the Tibetians working to retain the culture away from their home. The photos you clicked are really beautiful. I am surely saving your post.
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Thank you for the appreciation.
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Been to many hill stations in India but somehow Dharamshala never happened for me. But it is in my bucket list and it will happen to me one day for sure. I was not aware about any location named Norbulingka and I thank you for introducing me to this place. Through your post I got a clear idea that this destination is worth a visit. When I look at any idol of Lord Buddha I feel immense peace from inside out and so I always had a strong inclination towards Buddhist people and their lifestyle. I am glad that I got to read your blog which enriched me with informative knowledge about this place.
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I am glad the post was helpful for you.
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Wow, your description of the movie “Seven Years in Tibet” and your connection to the Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture are truly captivating. It’s amazing how a film can inspire us to reflect on our experiences and delve into our memories. Your words beautifully convey the allure of Tibet, with its peaceful regime under the Dalai Lamas and the picturesque beauty of the Himalayas.
It’s wonderful to see how art can inspire us to dig deeper into our own experiences and gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and their traditions. Thank you for sharing your insights and sparking my imagination!
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So good to read about a Tibetan monastery. descriptive way of writing about places is so blissful. Montessori education as you wrote seems to be awesome.
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I have visited Dharamshala many years back and can relate to all the beauty that you are sharing from there. Going through your post made me remember it all again.
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It is green and beautiful.
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A visit to Norbulinka Monastery offers a fascinating experience and I make it a point to visit it each time I go to Dharamshala. Located in the serene surroundings of the Himalayas, this Tibetan Institute preserves and promotes Tibetan culture through its beautifully crafted handicrafts, vibrant gardens, traditional architecture, and serene atmosphere, providing a glimpse into Tibetan spirituality and artistry. I loved the pictures and every word describing the place. Great post!
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There are some places where you instantly feel connected, I got that feeling after reading your post. I will surely plan a trip and visit Norbulingka and I would love to stay at that beautiful guest house.
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Have a good trip
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I’ve never been to a monastery or to Dharamshala or to Tibet. But off late, I am enjoying reading travel blogs. Yours is definitely going to be one I will be rereading!
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Thank you for the appreciation.
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This place looks so idyllic! I have always been a big fan of Buddhist culture. I was a huge fan of Dalai Lama before this recent scandal surfaced. I am now confused whom to trust and idolise!
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I trust the principles..the guardians kept.changjng and Dalai Lama is am Epitome of peace
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Reading your post, I realised I know very little of Tibet & it’s culture. I have only visit one monestry in India near Kaushalnagar in Coorg. It was a great experience. Am sure the serenity of the mountains only add to the one in Dharamshala.
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Even I knew very little od Tibetan culture until I saw the movie and this institute
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Thanks for the wonderful post with beautiful pics. And what a detailed post. Thanks to your post, I learnt something new and interesting.
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You’ve captured the beauty of this place so nicely! I never heard about this place but Tibet has always been on my bucket-list. Now I know one place that’s a must-visit there. Art, culture, and lots more to witness and learn from here.
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This raised my curiosity about this place. You’ve been very helpful with all the information you’ve shared. I must watch though the movie you’ve mentioned of Brad Pitt to add more to the hype!
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You took me back to ten years when I had the privilege and opportunity to visit Dharamshala. It was also the first time seeing a monastery. Since then, I never missed a chance and I included it as part of my itinerary while exploring new places whenever I could. It brings such calmness and the Mantra stays with me “Om mani padme hum” throughout.
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What a beautifully detailed and narrative post. It took me back memory lane and made me rustle up my pics as well. I had visited the monastery some years back and your post jogged me down memory lane.
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That’s good to know that this post brought back some good memories.
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These are such amazing places, looks beautiful. Feeling like visiting right away. Adding this to my bucket list and saving this of yours so that it is handy for my future reference.
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