Tsuglagkhang

Tsuglagkhang is the main Tibetan Buddhist temple complex in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India. It functions as the spiritual center of the Tibetan exile community and as the religious seat associated with the Dalai Lama. The complex is part of the town’s Tibetan quarter near McLeod Ganj and serves as a focal point for Buddhist worship, teaching, and pilgrimage.

The temple complex was established in the context of the Tibetan refugee community following the 1959 uprising. It was developed to preserve Tibetan religious life, culture, and leadership in exile and has since remained a key site for spiritual activities and public ceremonies conducted by Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

The Tsuglagkhang complex includes the main temple where a prominent shrine room houses a gilded statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, along with smaller chapels and altars dedicated to other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The interior typically features traditional thangka paintings, ritual implements, and spaces for prayer and meditation. The Namgyal Monastery, Dalai Lama’s private monastery, is associated with the complex and is located nearby, reinforcing the site’s role in monastic study and practice. The Dalai Lama’s residence and visits are commonly tied to events held at Tsuglagkhang.

Today, Tsuglagkhang remains a major destination for Tibetan pilgrims and visitors. It continues to function as a center for religious ceremonies, teaching, and cultural life for the Tibetan community in exile, while also attracting international visitors interested in Tibetan Buddhism and the Dalai Lama’s public engagements.