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Seat of serenity

charming
Last Updated 08 December 2012, 13:06 IST

To my uneducated mind, the visuals of Dharmashala were filled with colours of red and white and maroon, the hues of Tibetan monks’ robe. But what greeted me was a very different scene indeed.

Nestled in the foothills of the Dhauladhar range, the peaks rise stunningly from the Kangra Valley. Dharmashala seemed like any other Himalayan town, and to be honest, I was a bit disappointed to learn that my vision of a Tibetans-filled streets, monasteries and prayer flags were far from reality.

However, there was this one little place, Norbulingka, that helped me glide into the land of my vision. Tucked in the little village of Sidhpur, the Norbulingka Institute provides the average traveller a glimpse into the life of Tibetans. The deluge of refugees from Tibet led to many settling in and around Dharmashala, with the Dalai Lama making it his seat of presence.


With support from the Indian government, an education system was set up and means of physical survival opened. Now the attention was diverted towards the preservation of Tibetan culture and heritage. With these ideals in mind, the Norbulingka Institute, a centre for the preservation of Tibetan art and culture, was established in the 1980s.

As I entered the gates of Norbulingka, I was enthralled by the serenity the place exuded. The beautiful landscape, dominated by the sound of rippling water bodies, was soothing. The stone façade with intricate carvings added to the charm of the place. The canopy of the lush vegetation played hide and seek with the rays of the sun.

The stone pathway, corridored by flowing waters on either side, enticed one to walk further. But what struck me was the monastery, a huge building of three storeys. The lower storey housed a huge statue of the Buddha in gold. The serenity in the face of the idol is sure to invoke a similar feeling in the mind of the onlooker. It is an ideal arena to meditate and be one with the inner self.

The verandah has beautiful Thangka paintings depicting various Buddhist deities. This religious art is believed to support the religious practices of Buddhism. The terrace of the monastery offers a breathtaking view of the snow-capped mountains of the Dhauladhar range, that rises jaggedly behind the green lower hills.

The Norbulingka Institute is equipped with an in house store that sells various wares produced in the Institute. Thangka paintings, appliqué thangka, as well as statue making are taught to young Tibetans. The art has thus been passed on from one generation to the next in the hope of preserving the culture and art of Tibet. Traditional techniques are used to create statues of various sizes from sheets of copper.

These techniques are taught by skilled artisans. This method allows for detailing the intricate designs of the flowing robes, facial expressions and features such as the rich embellishment or ornate haloes. The small doll museum at the Institute focuses on the lifestyle of the people of the various regions of Tibet and was a hit with the tourists.

As I exited the doors of the Norbulingka, I was awashed by a sense of lucid calm and there emerged a more serene person ready to head into the labyrinth of a routine life.

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(Published 08 December 2012, 13:06 IST)

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