Dharamsala is a town in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is known as the residence of Tenzin Gyatso, the current Dalai Lama. A substantial community of Tibetan exiles resides in the town.

Dharamsala is located in the Kangra valley, in the Dahuladhar mountains. The natural features surrounding the town are considered by many to be extremely beautiful. The town is divided between Upper Dharamsala (which retains a British colonial atmosphere) and Lower Dharamsala (the commercial centre). Upper Dharamsala is around three hundred meters above Lower Dharamsala. There is an airport about twenty kilometres away. The area around Dharamsala is used to grow rice, wheat and tea.

Dharamsala has been connected with Buddhism for a long time, with many monasteries having been established there in the past. In the 8th century, however, these monasteries are believed to have declined, with Hinduism experiencing a revival. In 1848, the area was annexed by the British, and a year later, a military garrison was established in the town. Dharamsala eventually became the administrative capital of Kangra District. In 1905, a severe earthquake shook the town, prompting some of its residents to move from Upper Dharamsala and establish Lower Dharamsala.

When the Dalai Lama left Tibet, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru offered to permit him and his followers to establish a "government-in-exile" in Dharamsala. Since that point, many Tibetan exiles have settled in the town, numbering several thousand. Most of these exiles live in Upper Dharamsala, or McCleod Ganj, where they established temples and schools. The town is sometimes known as "Little Lhasa", after the Tibetan capital city.

External link

• 123Himachal profile (http://123himachal.com/dasaguide.htm)
• [1] (http://www.dharamsalanet.com/index.htm) "Dharamsala Net" with lots of links about Dharamsala.

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