How do you define an ideal institution? With world ranking? Infrastructure? Campus? Labs? Facilities? Faculties having foreign degrees? Publications? Well, they’re the criteria to determine the quality of today’s institutions, but when I say difference, it’s beyond all these!
Norbulingka, nestled in Dharmsala, Uttarakhand, India, surpassed my expectations. What I had assumed was a typical monastery turned out to be a centre of varied cultural activity. Norbulingka Institute, as I reflected on the title once again, with the tagline ‘Heart of Tibetan Culture,’ I found the centre doing justice to it.
I am yet to write about my 3-day trip to Dharamsala and McLeodganj, but some of the places are so fascinating that they need detailed attention. The moment I set foot in the Norbulingka Institute, I knew I was going to love the place, and eventually it would come as a blog post. On the second day of our trip, the first thing we did was to visit this place. And guess what! We exclaimed, “Why didn’t we come here on day one?” Since I was assigned the task of making the itinerary, my friends eyed me. It remains closed on Sunday, I said! Now, before you ask about the visiting hours, let me tell you, it’s 9 AM- 5:30 PM.
Famous attractions: Doll Museum, Thangka Painting, Art Gallery, Souvenir Shop, Tailoring Division, Carpentry workshop, Cafes and Restaurants. Also offers on-campus stay.
Are you ready for the spiritual and cultural tour? The significance and the vision of the place have been illustrated toward the end of this post.
The path, the cafe and the souvenir shop at the entrance.
Norbulingka is nestled amidst the three major primordial elements of nature- mountain, trees and water! The majestic Dhauladhar ranges embrace the place; the variety of flora provides shade, and the reservoir within soothes us to the core, serving as a healing space altogether. The architecture of the place is also one-of-a-kind. A souvenir shop greets you at the entrance. You move through lush green nature, where a couple of restaurants are located. You then visit the various art and craft centres situated in the buildings alongside and at the end, the Buddha monastery. It appears that Buddha keeps blessing the whole premises.
Thangka is a sacred, precise process often involving organic or mineral pigments, following strict iconographic proportions. The artist undergoes rigorous training. I was wondering how they would be able to concentrate with visitors coming and going all the time. It requires dedication and a high level of concentration. The starting price for Thangka painting is 3000/-, which can go up to lakhs, but that is justified by the hard labour involved.
The institute trains artists in several art and craft disciplines, including carpentry, tailoring, and other crafts. It attempts toward the holistic growth of an individual.
The price, mostly quoted in dollars, seemed a bit high to us. However, each item has been crafted with utmost precision.
“Norbulingka Institute is dedicated to the preservation and continuation of Tibetan Arts and Culture,” says a leaflet about the place. The term Norbulingka means ‘Jewel Park’ in Tibetan. Truly, the place is preserving and promoting its art and culture, which is more valuable than a jewel. I would suggest exploring their website for more information. It’s a centre for sustainable development. The institute sustains its 400-plus artists this way. They’re keen on their purpose. An objective has been ingrained in them. I believe that India also requires such institutions to preserve, create and promote Indian art and culture. All we do is talk rather than take a step toward it.
Useful Tip: While visiting this place, make sure that you are not in a hurry. Feel the place. Feel the creativity. Feel the spirituality. Meditate in front of Buddha. Don’t rush for your portraits and pictures. Visit alone if possible. Only then can you make your visit worthwhile.
©Shashank
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