Mcleodganj has a lovely 1.4 Km “Kora” walk near Dalai Lama Temple Complex.
Highlight of Walk Near Dalai Lama Temple Complex
- This is a pleasant walk through the woods surrounding the Dalai Lama’s Home and Temple.
- There are many Tibetan Buddhist religious structures on this walk, including Buddhist Temples, Stupas (“Chorten”), small Buddhist Prayer Wheels, large Prayer Wheels, Prayer Flags, “Om Mani Padme Hum” painted along the way and Memorials to Tibetan Martyrs.
- “Kora” is a Tibetan Buddhist religious practise where a devote circles a religious site. Since this route is a circumambulation of the Dalai Lama’s temple and residence, some Buddhists consider this walk a “Kora” walk (or “Parikrama” in Hindi). This walk near Dalai Lama Temple is called “Ling Khor” or “Lingkhor”.
Walk Near Dalai Lama Temple Route, Maps, Photos
1] STARTING POINT: At the Main Entrance of Dalai Lama Temple (“Theckchen Choeling Temple” or “Tsuglag Khang Temple”)
2] LANDMARK 1: “Tarani Mata Mandir” (Temple) and start of forest path.
3] LANDMARK 2: Buddha House Road (“Lhagyal Rei”) is a place where there are Buddhist Stupas, Temples and Prayer Wheels. Jampa Ling Old Age Home is located here.
4] ENDING POINT: At the entrance of the Dalai Lama Temple.
NOTE: Since the start and end of this walk is the same (near Dalai Lama Temple), this walk can be done in the reverse direction too.
DISTANCE OF THE WALK AROUND DALAI LAMA TEMPLE COMPLEX: 1.4 Km
TIME TAKEN FOR THIS WALK: 30 Minutes (Fast Walk) to One Hour (Leisurely Stroll)
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Easy. There is one section where there is a 50 meter uphill walk.
TREK TERRAIN: Start and end of the walk is on Cemented Roads. Middle section is on a cemented path through a forest.
Map of the Kora Walk Near Dalai Lama Temple
This is the map of the Buddhist “Kora” walk that starts and ends near Dalai Lama Temple.
Route And Photos Of Kora Walk Near Dalai Lama Temple
1] DALAI LAMA TEMPLE COMPLEX TO TARANI MATA TEMPLE
- This walk starts at the entrance of the Dalai Lama’s Temple Complex. The Dalai Lama’s Temple Complex is officially known as “Theckchen Choeling Temple” or “Tsuglag Khang”. It consists of the Dalai Lama’s Temple, Tibet Museum, Dalai Lama’s Monastery (Namgyal Monastery), Offices and Residence of the Dalai Lama.
- Since this walk has religious significance (it’s considered a “Kora”), a clockwise route is followed. One can start in the anticlockwise direction too. Since this a roundabout route, both routes will come back to the same place. As per Tibetan Buddhist custom, circling of religious sites and prayer wheels is done in a clockwise direction.
- Face the entrance of the Dalai Lama Temple and take the downhill winding road on the left. This is the “Khara Danda” Road. The first landmark, “Tarani Mata Mandir” (Temple), is 100 Meter away.
2] TARANI MATA TO TIBETAN BUDDHIST TEMPLES, STUPAS
- As you approach Tarani Mata Temple, straight ahead is a concrete pathway that goes into the forest. Take this forest path. The entrance to this pathway is blocked to vehicles.
- There is also a concrete road (“Khara Danda” road) that goes to the left of Tarani Mata Temple. This road is for vehicles and it goes to Jogiwara Road.
- As you walk along the forest road, you will notice downhill trails on the left. They lead to Jogiwara Road. The forest and hill on the right surround the Dalai Lama’s residence. You will also notice “Om Mani Padme Hum” in Tibetan painted on rocks along this path. The colour of Tibetan letters and the colour of the prayer flags are White, Red, Green Yellow and Blue. For Tibetans these five colours represent the five elements (air, fire, water, earth, sky).
PLEASE NOTE: This forest path is shown on Google Maps, but not on Bing Maps.
3] BUDDHIST TEMPLES, STUPAS NEAR DALAI LAMA TEMPLE
- 600 Meters from the Tarani Mata Temple is a remarkable place where there are many Tibetan Buddhist religious structures and artefacts. There are Tibetan Buddhist Temples, Stupas (“Chorten” in Tibetan), many small prayer wheels, four large human height prayer wheels, colourful Buddhist prayer flags and memorials to martyrs for the Tibetan cause.
- The vibrant colours, Tibetan Buddhist artefacts and religious iconography make this a special place. Visiting this place is one of the primary reasons for doing this walk.
- Jampa Ling Old Age Home for Tibetans is located here.
- This place is mid-way through the “Kora” (religious circular walk) and is also called “Buddha House Road”.
- PLEASE NOTE: Each Prayer Wheel has many prayers in them. It is believed that each clockwise spin of the wheel is the equivalent of have said those prayers once.
4] BUDDHA HOUSE ROAD TO DALAI LAMA TEMPLE COMPLEX
- 700 Meters from the Buddhist Temples (Buddha House Road) is the entrance of the Dalai Lama Temple. From here on it is an uphill walk. On the left you will see the beautiful mountains and forest surrounding Mcleodganj. The Kangra Valley can be seen in the distance.
- As you walk up the hill you will cross two hotels/homestays – “Kora House” and “The Horizon Villa” (“Horizon Villa South” and “Horizon Villa North”).
- Just before the side entrance to the Dalai Lama’s temple-cum-residence complex is the Security Guards quarters. Opposite this is a small temple with a very large prayer wheel. From here the journey is along flat land.
- On reaching the entrance near Dalai Lama Temple, the “Kora” is complete and you will gain religious merit.
