Knowledge

Bir, Himachal Pradesh

Source 📝

339: 40: 370: 57: 539: 353:: In 1966 the third Neten Chokling (1928-1973), an incarnate lama of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, brought his family and a small entourage to Bir. With the help of foreign aid, Neten Chokling purchased over 200 acres of land and established a Tibetan settlement where 300 Tibetan families were given land to build houses. At this time Chokling Rinpoche also started building a new Neten monastery in Bir and disciples who had followed him to India formed its first 90: 509: 163: 357:. When the third Chokling Rinpoche died in 1973, his eldest son, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche (born 1951), assumed responsibility for completing his father's vision. The fourth Neten Chokling incarnation was born in 1973 in Bhutan and was brought to Bir at a young age where the family of the third Chokling took him under their wings. In 2004 full responsibility for 338: 97: 64: 471:) "devoted to education, service, and compassionate living, with a practical focus on sustainable village development, contemplative service-learning, and immersive ecotourism". Visitors must contact them via the website before visiting, as they are sometimes closed to visitors for silent retreats and special programmes. 496:
are the principal attractions for casual visitors. In addition to its ongoing programmes for its full-time monastic students, the monastery periodically hosts Buddhist ceremonies open to the public. There is a guest house and restaurant on the premises.
523:
The paragliding launch site is in the meadow at Billing (14 km north of Bir), at an elevation of 2400 meters, while the landing site and most tourist accommodations are in the village of Chowgan (also spelled Chaugan), on the southern edge of Bir.
39: 520:; both Indians and visitors come from all over the world. The flying season is in September and October, with some flying in November. The village hosts international competitions and events. 429:
The village of Ghornala is the location of the Dharmalaya Institute, a Sikh retreat centre, several homestays and camps, and a few cottages. It is about midway between Bir and Sansal.
1295: 1350: 1335: 847: 945: 423:(often simply called "Colony" by locals) is at the west end of the village of Chowgan, about a 20-minute walk (or five-minute taxi) below Upper Bir. 665:
at a distance of two to three hours by road. It is 14 km south of Billing, which lies on the way to the Thamsar Pass leading to Bara Bhangal.
56: 563:
Bir Tibetan Colony houses several Tibetan monasteries (representing the Nyingma, Kagyu, and Sakya traditions), a Tibetan handicraft centre, a
125: 890: 1376: 1371: 1310: 1386: 638: 449:
There are several institutions in Bir that attract students, tourists, volunteers and other visitors from around India and from abroad:
580: 1315: 1305: 1290: 500:
The Bir Tea Factory is a long-standing Bir cooperative, which offers tours for those interested in the process of tea production.
323: 175: 1345: 1280: 564: 1381: 1325: 938: 437:
The population of Bir is primarily Indian agriculturalists. There is also a sizable community of Tibetan refugees in the
1340: 1330: 1320: 1300: 662: 1285: 1134: 650: 553:
refugee settlement located at the west end of the village of Chowgan on the south-western edge of the village of Bir.
426:
Sherab Ling Monastery is a 50-to-70-minute walk (or 15-minute taxi) from Chowgan, or slightly longer from Upper Bir.
556:
Bir Tibetan Colony was established in the early 1960s following the exile of the Dalai Lama and other Tibetans from
369: 1139: 1079: 1038: 970: 683: 654: 463:
The Dharmalaya Institute is an eco-campus for service-learning and contemplative practice. Dharmalaya is an Indian
453: 386: 199: 192: 89: 441:(see below) and a small community of international expatriates and long-term students, volunteers, and visitors. 1234: 1164: 1129: 1089: 1033: 1005: 931: 187: 1244: 1179: 1169: 1144: 594: 475: 460:. The institute hosts frequent guest lectures and workshops with reputed scholars and meditation teachers. 1124: 452:
The Deer Park Institute is a "centre for the study of classical Indian wisdom traditions" established by
1058: 397: 304: 284: 611: 488: 251: 1249: 615: 585: 538: 259: 900: 634: 546: 533: 464: 438: 420: 374: 300: 734: 709: 483: 311: 288: 235: 180: 954: 895: 457: 390: 227: 204: 1239: 1028: 1023: 630: 568: 550: 231: 330:
is also located in Bir. Ecotourism, spiritual studies, and meditation draws visitors.
1365: 1219: 1189: 985: 735:"Bir Portal - Bir Orientation: Bir, Tibetan Colony, Ghornala, Billing The Bir Portal" 658: 1264: 1229: 1154: 1043: 975: 508: 1018: 1000: 995: 980: 517: 319: 296: 848:"Dharmalaya Sprouts: Earthville Co-founds New Charitable Organization in India" 1224: 1149: 874: 401: 343: 140: 127: 1254: 1209: 1084: 1048: 1013: 619: 405: 303:, founded in the early 1960s as a settlement for Tibetan refugees after the 247: 242: 1214: 1204: 1194: 1114: 1104: 1094: 1053: 1199: 1174: 1119: 479: 315: 593:) (1999), which was based on events that took place in Bir during the 1259: 1184: 1074: 990: 382: 354: 567:(Suja), a branch of the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute ( 1159: 923: 557: 507: 493: 368: 337: 327: 292: 168: 1109: 927: 781: 468: 649:
Bir can be reached from the Bir Road turnoff (signposted) on
326:
school, located either in the town of Bir or nearby. A large
661:. It is approximately 50 km (31 mi) south-east of 416:
The historical centre of Bir is in Upper Bir (Bir proper).
814: 802: 614:, is 3 kilometres away. About 112 kilometres away is the 835: 759: 622:, Punjab, which is connected to major cities in India. 1273: 1067: 961: 270: 258: 241: 223: 218: 210: 198: 186: 174: 156: 23: 571:), a medical clinic, and the Deer Park Institute. 1296:Fatehpur, Himachal Pradesh Assembly constituency 754: 752: 361:in Bir was passed to the fourth Neten Chokling. 1351:Shahpur, Himachal Pradesh Assembly constituency 1336:Nagrota, Himachal Pradesh Assembly constituency 684:"Welcome to Bir, paragliding capital of India" 939: 8: 653:(now NH 154), approximately midway between 516:The Bir-Billing area is a popular site for 492:(2006). The Tibetan architecture and large 342:A Tibetan pilgrim spinning a prayer wheel ( 946: 932: 924: 346:) at the Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, 1998. 314:monasteries and supportive centres of the 283:is a rural village located in the west of 20: 708:Deependra, Dobriyal (29 September 2019). 456:in March 2006 under the patronage of the 393:in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. 299:capital of India and the location of the 537: 674: 257: 240: 217: 209: 155: 120: 48: 36: 867: 865: 445:Prominent institutions and attractions 359:Pema Ewam Chögar Gyurme Ling Monastery 404:Range of the foothills of the Indian 396:Geologically, Bir is situated in the 269: 222: 197: 185: 173: 7: 1311:Jaswan-Pragpur Assembly constituency 474:Chokling Gompa is the monastery of 76:Location in Himachal Pradesh, India 850:. Earthville News. 19 January 2009 18:Village in Himachal Pradesh, India 14: 1316:Jawalamukhi Assembly constituency 1306:Jaisinghpur Assembly constituency 1291:Dharamshala Assembly constituency 597:and was shot on location in Bir. 565:Tibetan Children's Village school 889:Jakes, Susan (27 January 2003). 815:"Welcome to Deer Park Institute" 385:(administrative subdivision) of 161: 95: 88: 62: 55: 38: 1346:Palampur Assembly constituency 1281:Baijnath Assembly constituency 1: 1326:Kangra Lok Sabha constituency 486:and the director of the film 1341:Nurpur Assembly constituency 1331:Sullah Assembly constituency 1321:Jawali Assembly constituency 1301:Indora Assembly constituency 710:"Paragliding in Bir Billing" 478:, a reincarnate lama in the 214:1,525 m (5,003 ft) 79:Show map of Himachal Pradesh 1377:Villages in Kangra district 1372:Tourism in Himachal Pradesh 1286:Dehra Assembly constituency 96: 63: 1403: 1387:Adventure tourism in India 531: 454:Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche 373:Fields and mountains near 310:Bir is noted for several 121: 49: 37: 30: 891:"The God of Small Films" 641:is 520 kilometres away. 610:Ahju railway station, a 579:Bir was the setting for 1009:(district headquarters) 760:"Welcome to Dharmalaya" 633:is 67 kilometres away. 583:'s first feature film, 476:Neten Chokling Rinpoche 784:. Birhp. 21 March 2012 737:. Birhp. 21 March 2012 637:is 152 kilometres and 543: 513: 378: 347: 1274:Constituency assembly 817:. Deer Park Institute 541: 511: 398:Joginder Nagar Valley 389:, in the district of 372: 341: 305:1959 Tibetan uprising 285:Joginder Nagar Valley 224: • Official 1382:Paragliding in India 682:Wong, Maggie Hiufu. 612:narrow-gauge railway 595:1998 World Cup final 542:Tibetan monks in Bir 137: /  878:. 2015. Channel 4. 635:Chandigarh Airport 575:In popular culture 547:Bir Tibetan Colony 544: 534:Bir Tibetan Colony 528:Bir Tibetan Colony 514: 512:Paragliding at Bir 465:charitable society 439:Bir Tibetan Colony 421:Bir Tibetan Colony 379: 375:Bir Tibetan Colony 351:The Tibetan Colony 348: 301:Bir Tibetan Colony 44:Aerial view of Bir 1359: 1358: 1010: 639:New Delhi Airport 278: 277: 112:Show map of India 1394: 1008: 948: 941: 934: 925: 913: 912: 910: 908: 899:. Archived from 886: 880: 879: 875:Our Guy in India 869: 860: 859: 857: 855: 844: 838: 833: 827: 826: 824: 822: 811: 805: 800: 794: 793: 791: 789: 778: 772: 771: 769: 767: 756: 747: 746: 744: 742: 731: 725: 724: 722: 720: 705: 699: 698: 696: 694: 679: 484:Tibetan Buddhism 322:school, and the 312:Tibetan Buddhist 289:Himachal Pradesh 287:in the state of 181:Himachal Pradesh 167: 165: 164: 152: 151: 149: 148: 147: 142: 138: 135: 134: 133: 130: 113: 99: 98: 92: 80: 66: 65: 59: 42: 21: 1402: 1401: 1397: 1396: 1395: 1393: 1392: 1391: 1362: 1361: 1360: 1355: 1269: 1063: 963: 957: 955:Kangra district 952: 922: 917: 916: 906: 904: 888: 887: 883: 871: 870: 863: 853: 851: 846: 845: 841: 834: 830: 820: 818: 813: 812: 808: 801: 797: 787: 785: 780: 779: 775: 765: 763: 758: 757: 750: 740: 738: 733: 732: 728: 718: 716: 707: 706: 702: 692: 690: 681: 680: 676: 671: 647: 628: 608: 603: 577: 536: 530: 506: 447: 435: 414: 367: 336: 266: 162: 160: 145: 143: 141:32.05°N 76.70°E 139: 136: 131: 128: 126: 124: 123: 117: 116: 115: 114: 111: 110: 107: 106: 105: 104: 100: 83: 82: 81: 78: 77: 74: 73: 72: 71: 67: 45: 33: 26: 19: 12: 11: 5: 1400: 1398: 1390: 1389: 1384: 1379: 1374: 1364: 1363: 1357: 1356: 1354: 1353: 1348: 1343: 1338: 1333: 1328: 1323: 1318: 1313: 1308: 1303: 1298: 1293: 1288: 1283: 1277: 1275: 1271: 1270: 1268: 1267: 1262: 1257: 1252: 1247: 1242: 1240:Sounkni Da Kot 1237: 1232: 1227: 1222: 1217: 1212: 1207: 1202: 1197: 1192: 1187: 1182: 1177: 1172: 1167: 1162: 1157: 1152: 1147: 1142: 1137: 1132: 1127: 1122: 1117: 1112: 1107: 1102: 1097: 1092: 1087: 1082: 1077: 1071: 1069: 1065: 1064: 1062: 1061: 1056: 1051: 1046: 1041: 1036: 1031: 1029:Nagrota Surian 1026: 1024:Nagrota Bagwan 1021: 1016: 1011: 1003: 998: 993: 988: 983: 978: 973: 967: 965: 959: 958: 953: 951: 950: 943: 936: 928: 921: 920:External links 918: 915: 914: 881: 861: 839: 828: 806: 795: 773: 748: 726: 700: 673: 672: 670: 667: 646: 643: 631:Kangra Airport 627: 624: 607: 604: 602: 601:Transportation 599: 581:Khyentse Norbu 576: 573: 569:Men-Tsee-Khang 532:Main article: 529: 526: 505: 502: 446: 443: 434: 431: 413: 410: 381:Bir is in the 366: 363: 335: 332: 276: 275: 272: 271:Telephone code 268: 267: 264: 262: 256: 255: 245: 239: 238: 225: 221: 220: 216: 215: 212: 208: 207: 202: 196: 195: 190: 184: 183: 178: 172: 171: 158: 154: 153: 119: 118: 108: 102: 101: 94: 93: 87: 86: 85: 84: 75: 69: 68: 61: 60: 54: 53: 52: 51: 50: 47: 46: 43: 35: 34: 31: 28: 27: 24: 17: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1399: 1388: 1385: 1383: 1380: 1378: 1375: 1373: 1370: 1369: 1367: 1352: 1349: 1347: 1344: 1342: 1339: 1337: 1334: 1332: 1329: 1327: 1324: 1322: 1319: 1317: 1314: 1312: 1309: 1307: 1304: 1302: 1299: 1297: 1294: 1292: 1289: 1287: 1284: 1282: 1279: 1278: 1276: 1272: 1266: 1263: 1261: 1258: 1256: 1253: 1251: 1248: 1246: 1243: 1241: 1238: 1236: 1233: 1231: 1228: 1226: 1223: 1221: 1218: 1216: 1213: 1211: 1208: 1206: 1203: 1201: 1198: 1196: 1193: 1191: 1190:Nandrool Khas 1188: 1186: 1183: 1181: 1178: 1176: 1173: 1171: 1168: 1166: 1163: 1161: 1158: 1156: 1153: 1151: 1148: 1146: 1143: 1141: 1138: 1136: 1133: 1131: 1128: 1126: 1123: 1121: 1118: 1116: 1113: 1111: 1108: 1106: 1103: 1101: 1098: 1096: 1093: 1091: 1088: 1086: 1083: 1081: 1078: 1076: 1073: 1072: 1070: 1066: 1060: 1057: 1055: 1052: 1050: 1047: 1045: 1042: 1040: 1037: 1035: 1032: 1030: 1027: 1025: 1022: 1020: 1017: 1015: 1012: 1007: 1004: 1002: 999: 997: 994: 992: 989: 987: 986:Haripur Guler 984: 982: 979: 977: 974: 972: 969: 968: 966: 960: 956: 949: 944: 942: 937: 935: 930: 929: 926: 919: 903:on 9 May 2007 902: 898: 897: 892: 885: 882: 877: 876: 868: 866: 862: 849: 843: 840: 837: 836:dharmalaya.in 832: 829: 816: 810: 807: 804: 799: 796: 783: 777: 774: 761: 755: 753: 749: 736: 730: 727: 715: 714:India Thrills 711: 704: 701: 689: 685: 678: 675: 668: 666: 664: 660: 659:Jogindernagar 656: 652: 644: 642: 640: 636: 632: 625: 623: 621: 617: 613: 605: 600: 598: 596: 592: 588: 587: 582: 574: 572: 570: 566: 561: 559: 554: 552: 548: 540: 535: 527: 525: 521: 519: 510: 503: 501: 498: 495: 491: 490: 485: 482:tradition of 481: 477: 472: 470: 466: 461: 459: 455: 450: 444: 442: 440: 432: 430: 427: 424: 422: 417: 411: 409: 407: 403: 399: 394: 392: 388: 384: 376: 371: 364: 362: 360: 356: 352: 345: 340: 333: 331: 329: 325: 321: 317: 313: 308: 306: 302: 298: 294: 290: 286: 282: 273: 263: 261: 253: 249: 246: 244: 237: 233: 229: 226: 213: 206: 203: 201: 194: 191: 189: 182: 179: 177: 170: 159: 150: 122:Coordinates: 91: 58: 41: 29: 22: 16: 1265:Uparli Badol 1230:Simbal Khola 1155:Hatli Jamula 1099: 976:Dera Gopipur 905:. Retrieved 901:the original 894: 884: 873: 854:30 September 852:. Retrieved 842: 831: 819:. Retrieved 809: 798: 786:. Retrieved 776: 764:. Retrieved 762:. Dharmalaya 739:. Retrieved 729: 717:. Retrieved 713: 703: 691:. Retrieved 687: 677: 648: 629: 609: 590: 584: 578: 562: 555: 545: 522: 515: 499: 487: 473: 462: 451: 448: 436: 428: 425: 418: 415: 395: 380: 358: 350: 349: 318:school, the 309: 291:in northern 280: 279: 146:32.05; 76.70 15: 1019:McLeod Ganj 1001:Jawalamukhi 996:Jaisinghpur 981:Dharamshala 962:Cities and 803:deerpark.in 782:"About Bir" 663:Dharamshala 618:station at 616:broad gauge 518:paragliding 504:Paragliding 412:Orientation 320:Karma Kagyu 297:paragliding 295:. It's the 144: / 109:Bir (India) 1366:Categories 1225:Sari Molag 1150:Harchakian 719:18 January 669:References 458:Dalai Lama 433:Population 402:Dhauladhar 344:mani wheel 1255:Tota Rani 1210:Rehalpura 1135:Dharamkot 1085:Bakarawan 1049:Shamirpur 1014:Mant Khas 788:24 August 693:14 August 620:Pathankot 406:Himalayas 365:Geography 243:Time zone 219:Languages 211:Elevation 1215:Rey Khas 1205:Rehalkar 1195:Narghota 1140:Gopalpur 1115:Dainkwan 1105:Dadasiba 1095:Bhawarna 1080:Andretta 1068:Villages 1054:Sidhbari 1039:Palampur 971:Baijnath 655:Baijnath 489:Milarepa 387:Baijnath 248:UTC+5:30 200:District 193:Baijnath 1200:Pragpur 1175:Kutwari 1130:Dhanotu 1120:Dhameta 907:5 April 821:5 April 766:5 April 741:5 April 586:The Cup 551:Tibetan 480:Nyingma 334:History 316:Nyingma 274:91-1894 265:176 077 236:English 157:Country 132:76°42′E 129:32°03′N 32:village 1260:Triund 1245:Sullah 1235:Simbal 1185:Naleti 1165:Jawali 1090:Banuri 1075:Agahar 1034:Nurpur 1006:Kangra 991:Indora 591:Phörpa 391:Kangra 383:tehsil 355:sangha 228:Kangri 205:Kangra 188:Region 166:  1220:Sakri 1180:Lohna 1170:Kotla 1160:Ichhi 1145:Haler 1044:Rehan 964:towns 872:"1". 651:NH 20 606:Train 558:Tibet 549:is a 494:stupa 328:stupa 324:Sakya 293:India 232:Hindi 176:State 169:India 1250:Than 1125:Dhan 1110:Dadh 909:2012 896:Time 856:2018 823:2012 790:2012 768:2012 743:2012 721:2023 695:2022 657:and 645:Road 419:The 1100:Bir 1059:Yol 688:CNN 626:Air 469:NGO 281:Bir 260:PIN 252:IST 103:Bir 70:Bir 25:Bir 1368:: 893:. 864:^ 751:^ 712:. 686:. 560:. 408:. 400:, 307:. 234:, 230:, 947:e 940:t 933:v 911:. 858:. 825:. 792:. 770:. 745:. 723:. 697:. 589:( 467:( 377:. 254:) 250:(

Index

Aerial view of Bir
Bir is located in Himachal Pradesh
Bir is located in India
32°03′N 76°42′E / 32.05°N 76.70°E / 32.05; 76.70
India
State
Himachal Pradesh
Region
Baijnath
District
Kangra
Kangri
Hindi
English
Time zone
UTC+5:30
IST
PIN
Joginder Nagar Valley
Himachal Pradesh
India
paragliding
Bir Tibetan Colony
1959 Tibetan uprising
Tibetan Buddhist
Nyingma
Karma Kagyu
Sakya
stupa

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.