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Tour for Gretha

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DAY 1: Delhi / Dharamshala flight
Assisted arrival to New Delhi International Airport and transfer to domestic airport. Will get some time for breakfast and morning coffee.
Delhi is a Melting Pot of cultures, politics and religions of India’s colourful past in its monuments, its palaces, and in the faces of its people that narrate the story of their glorious past as well as foresight to India’s future.
Check in hotel..

Day 2: The Chanting Monks and the Nun's Garden

After breakfast will have visit to budhist sights.
Tibetan culture and Buddhism have become so inextricably linked over the centuries, that it is difficult to separate the two. The richness of the culture and religion, with its detailed symbology and little understood traditions and customs can be difficult for the outsider to grasp, but as one delves deeper and layers of meaning begin to unfold, one is rewarded with a glimpse of a culture so fascinating and magnetic, that one cannot help but want to uncover more.
Monasteries and nunneries are in many ways the thriving hubs of Tibetan culture, where centuries-old lineages are being preserved. Many of these monasteries have been reestablished in India, and are open to visitors, including Gyuto Upper Tantric College and Dolmaling Nunnery. Let our knowledgeable guides take you on a half-day walking tour to visit these two places located just near Norbulingka, and observe the daily routines, curriculum, and lifestyles of monks and nuns. Learn about the basics of Tibetan Buddhist practice and study, and let us reveal to you how integral Tibetan monasticism is to the culture as a whole.
Gyuto Monastery is one of the two main centers for Tantric studies in the Gelukpa tradition. Gyuto was founded in Tibet in 1474 by the First Dalai Lama’s chief disciple, Kunga Dhondup. In 1959, the monastery was reestablished in India, and now houses over 500 monks, and is the temporary residence of His Holiness the Karmapa. The Gyuto monks are internationally famous for their chanting and were even nominated for a Grammy in 2011. The expansive, light-filled campus and magnificent temple instantly lift the spirit, and the large gilded statues of tantric deities inspire mystery and reverence for this deep tradition which has continued there in a unbroken lineage for more than 500 years.
 
Dolmaling Nunnery, located behind Norbulingka, is the first nunnery ever to offer a full Buddhist philosophy curriculum for nuns. Founded by the Tibetan Nun's project in the 1990's, the 17 year long Buddhist studies program trains nuns in Buddhist philosophy and debate, as well Tibetan language and English. The air in its beautiful and immaculate gardens is pervaded with a sense of peace, and a stroll through the grounds offers a glimpse into the life of a Tibetan nun.

•      This tour could be either in the morning or afternoon.
•      Morning tour meets at Norbulingka main gate at 9:00 am, afternoon meets at 2:00 pm.
Be sure to bring wear walking shoes, as it is a 2 km walk to Gyut Monastery

Day 3: Sacred Legends and Traditions

The first leg of the journey is a ride on the Kangra “Toy Train,” to Palampur, a town 50 kms from Kangra known for its lush tea gardens. The miniature, open-air train slowly winds its way through the hill and forests of the Kangra Valley, affording stunning views of the Dhauladar mountains, surrounding emerald fields, and a glimpse into Indian village life.
 
The next stop is Baijnath Temple, an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva the Destroyer. The current structure was built in the 13th century by two local merchants, though an inscription on a wall speaks of an older shrine having existed on the same spot. The main shrine houses a linga, or phallus, a manifestation of Lord Shiva. The beautifully chiseled faces of deities emerging from the stone walls illustrate the depth of Hindu mythology and the artistic sophistication of the time. The visitor is immersed in the atmosphere of the temple, serene vibrations echoing from the constantly ringing prayer bells and chants.      
 
A few kilometers down the road is Tashi Jong, a settlement of Tibetan yogis, monks, and lay people living together in a self-sustaining community.  Tashi Jong was one of the first Tibetan refugee settlements in India, founded in the 60s by the late 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche. The hillside is dotted with the hermitages of yogis who live in retreat, who though invisible, make their presence felt in this magical place. At Tashi Jong, you can also observe the ancient craft of Tibetan carpet weaving, done by hand on enormous floor looms, which provides a livelihood for many people in the community.
For lunch we will dine at Taragarh Palace, a lovely estate and hotel, once the summer residence of the royal family of Jammu and Kashmir. The palace, built in British style in the 1930’s and furnished with the family furniture, painting, and keepsakes, is a charming haven from another era. Their restaurant serves fine Indian cuisine, and is the perfect place to relax after the day’s tour.
Our last stop is Dongyu Gatsaling Nunnery, a unique institution founded by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, the second Westerner to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun in 1964. After spending twelve years in a remote cave in meditation, she emerged with the dream to start this nunnery.  The grounds and temple are immaculate, and the views of the Dhalaudar range from the nunnery are simply breathtaking.
    
•      Tour leaves Norbulingka at 8 am and returns around 4.
•      As you will be visiting temples, please dress modestly.

Day 4: Secrets of the Kangra Valley

About an hour’s drive from Dharamsala, through the majestic rolling hills of the valley, to the ancient and unique rock-cut temples at Masroor.  One of only four of its kind in all of India, this monolithic temple complex was carved completely from freestanding boulders. Although it is not known exactly when this temple was built, art historians believe it was erected between the 6th and 8th centuries. The many carvings and towers found throughout Masroor are a testament to the skill of the craftsmen at the time; chiseling a temple from a freestanding boulder is very difficult because the rock has its own composition, forcing the sculptor to improvise in order to accommodate the limitations of the material. Chiseled into the walls are various carvings of Hindu and Buddhist deities, and the large pool in front of the temple provides a stunning, crystal clear reflection of the entire complex. The main shrine contains idols of the Hindu deities Rama, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana. Locals strongly believe that the Pandavas, the great warrior cousins of Lord Krishna, who are featured prominently in the epic poem, the Mahabharata, built the temple. Visitors can climb to the top of the temple, up steps worn smooth by centuries of footprints, and at the top catch a breath-taking view of the snow-peaked Dhauladar Range. Atop a hill in these incredible surroundings, we will serve a picnic lunch prepared by Norbulingka’s Norling Café.

Day 5: Today you are free for own activities like tracking , Yoga, Shopping etc

Day 6: Today we will drive to Amritsar. It is about 6 to Hour’s drive. In Evening will visit Golden Temple.
 
Day 7: After Breakfast will visit Golden Temple and in Afternoon will visit India and Pakistan Border.

Day 8: Flight back to New Delhi. Check in hotel. Evening half day visit to New Delhi.

Day 9: Early morning flight back home.

 

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