McLeod Ganj: Tibetan Monastery on £5.00 a day!

Shakyamuni

Just back from McLeodganj (the Tibetan centre that sits above Dharamsala) in Himachal Pradesh. This, for those who don't know it, is the centre for the Tibetan Government in Exile.

There are tons of places to stay in McLeoadganj but if you are into Tibetan Buddhism and are looking at spending an extended period of time there, then aim to stay at the Tse Choling Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. This little peace of heaven nestles in a small forest about 400 feet down from the main streets of the town. Here is the tariff:

1. Double bedroom > Rp 180 (£2.50)
2. Double bedroom (en suite) > Rp 300 (£3.75)
3. Single room > Rp 125 (£1.60)

For options 1 and 3 you'd use a communal toilet/shower.

4. Breakfast > Rp 50 (£0.60)
5. Dinner > Rp 60 (£0.75)

So, taking options 2, 4 and 5, you can stay at Tse Choling for a cool Rp 410 a day, or £5.00.

That works out at an incredible £1825.00 per year!!!!

harmony

i am planning on going here! could you tell me about your experiences? i want to study buddhist philosophy, tibetan language and cooking, astrology, yoga, kundalini/tantra, etc... any advice you could give would be appreciated!

~harmony

Shakyamuni

Hi Harmony!

Well, McLeaodganj is an awesome place - in fact all of Himachal Pradesh is truly beautiful. I was only there for 5 days but gathered enough information to offer a genuine picture of the area.

As I said in my post, living at the Choling monastery is the cheapest, but it is basic. I also visited the Norbulinka Institute. Now you can stay there also. Here you can study:

statue making
thangka painting
needlework (traditional Tibetan)
woodcarving
Tibetan culture (Buddhist philosophy, poetry, medicine)

For meditation, go to the Namgyal monastery - visit it on http://www.namgyal_monastery_institu...st_studies.htm
(paste this URL into your web browser if this link doesn't work)

As I warn people, however, McLeodganj/dharamsala is not easy to get to but diligence is required and what better way to practice this aspect of the Six Perfections! If you have any specific questions, then fire away!!

AvidTrekker

For Rs 410 per day, you can live anywhere in India forever.(minus big cities, of course) Rs 410 X 30 equals Rs 12300, which is a fair monthly salary ..... Indians run their whole family (say avg five members) with one person or two persons earning such an amt. This will be short for big cities, though.

__________________
The Universe is an ellipsoid?... or a Spheroid?? If the sphere smiles... it becomes an ellipse. This IS Creation.

cyberhippie

I suppose that it is pretty cheap to stay in the monastery. Though as Avid trekker says this is not a pariculary good deal in Indian terms.
My first time in McCloudganj I stayed in a room with three picture windows, looking out over the snowcaps, price 99 rp a night with shared bathroom (god the water was cold) Brekkie was ommelette and tea and toast for 20 rupees, lunch dal sabhji rice pickle and roti for 12 rp all you can eat!! Dinner a variation on the same theme for 15 rp all you can eat!! 146 rp a day.
The little hole in the wall dhabas remain I'm not so sure that I'd still get a room for that price though!!
Shakyamuni thanks for all the good info keep it coming!!

Rhythin

Shakyamuni, could please email me the details of where abouts you stayed, flight costs, how long you're allowed to stay for, visa permits etc? this sounds like exactly what i'm looking for .

my email address is gothicspoons@hotmail.com

thanks

Thrin

capt_mahajan

Rhythin, just pointing out that the thread is three and a half years old.