pala

Pala is a toponym and term used in several contexts. The most well-known is Pala, California, a census-designated place in northern San Diego County, United States. It lies in the Palomar Mountain region and serves as the home to the Pala Indian Reservation.

The Pala Indian Reservation is held by the Pala Band of Mission Indians, a federally recognized Kumeyaay community established in the 19th century. The reservation’s lands include economic enterprises such as the Pala Casino Spa Resort, opened in 2001, which serves as a major local employer and tourist attraction.

In Indian history, the name Pala also refers to the Pala dynasty, a medieval ruling dynasty in Bengal that flourished from roughly the 8th to the 12th century. The Palas are noted for patronage of Buddhist and Hindu institutions and for contributing to regional trade and learning.

Beyond geography and history, Pala appears as a surname or given name in various cultures. The term may also be encountered in different contexts, including other place names around the world.