THEKCHEN CHÖLING TEMPLE - MCLEODGANJ (HIMACHAL PRADESH)

THEKCHEN CHÖLING TEMPLE complex is an important landmark and tourists attraction in the region. A Buddhist temple and private residence of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, it is a calm and serene space. Dalai Lama relocated here in 1968 and it his behest a simple space place sans any elaborate Tibetan design was built. His aim was to provide a place to offer prayers for the Tibetan Refugees. This temple also features a huge statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. 

The Thekchen Monastery is located in the hillstation of Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. The monaestry is an important shrine for Buddhist along with being an important learning center. It is also one of the important Buddhist Monaestry in India. The monaestry is surrounded by pine trees on all sides with only the extremely recognizable roof being visible above the pine tree tops. 

The word Thekchen Choeling stands for "Great Mahayana Dharma Temple". Devotees from all over the world flocks to this monastery with a hope they might get lucky and get a glimpse of His Holiness when he visites the monestry every year. Besides that, the monestry is also an important centre for Buddhist Learning and houses a museum. The museum is boasts of wonderful collection of precious artefacts from the ancient times.

It also has a library rich in of ancient manuscripts, book on Buddhism, photographs on Tibet, prayer scrolls and sacred texts. Thekchen Choeling monastery has a lamp room where oil lamps are burnt throughout the day. The monaestry also boasts of some ancient manuscripts and wall painting all relating to the Buddhists religion and teaching of Buddha.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Winter season extends from September to February and are very harsh with temperatures dropping into the negative. The best time to visit the monestry is during the month from March to June.

HOW TO REACH 

Air- Gaggal Airport also known as Kangra Airport is the domestic airbase serving Dharamshala which is about 15 kms away.

Railway- Pathankot railway station is the nearest Railway station which is about 85km away from the city centre.