Search Indian Maps, Pincodes, Local Info and more...
Library Of Tibetan Works & Archives Dharamsala
This Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA) is situated in Dharamshala of India and is one of the Tibetan library that embodies the sources that were relocated in the escape of 1959 from Tibet and also includes various archives and the manuscripts of the Tibetan Bhuddhists that are related to the history of Tibet, culture, politics as well as arts. This library also envelopes about 80,000 documents, bools and manuscripts and more than 600 statues and thangkas as well as many other artefacts of the heritage of Buddhists and much more material along with 6,000 photographs.
The present director is GesheLhakdoris the present director of this library the scholar in residence is GesheSonamRinchen.
In 1974 the 3rd floor of this library was inaugurated that have a museum and envelopes the notable artefacts like wooden mandala that has been carved three dimensionally of Avalokiteshvara and many items that belongs to ancient 20th century.
The governing body of LTWA consists of 9 members out of which 3 are related to Indian Government and the other 6 are being appointed by Dalai Lama his holiness. This board controls over the development and the policies and also the departments and the projects, also provides guidance and advice for the initiatives for future.
History
The foundation of this library was done on 11th June of 1970 by the 14th Dalai Lama named Tenzin Gyatso. This library is being considered very important out of all the other Tibetan libraries as well as institutions in the world.
The Chinese communists wrought about the destruction of the Tibet takeover in 1959 leads to the rendering of the survival of the culture of the Tibetan in danger. A number of various ancient manuscripts, learning centers, artefacts and much more related to the heritage of the Tibetan Culture was either stolen or destroyed Scores of learning centers, ancient manuscripts, artefacts and countless other aspects of Tibetan cultural heritage have either been stolen or destroyed under the costume of modernity. After the realization of the instability and impending threat of the current situation the 14th Dalai Lama imagined of and Realizing the impending threat and instability of the situation His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama imagine of and established this LTWA in order to protect, restore, promote and preserve the culture.
Mission
The main objective of this library is to provide a wide ranging cultural supply of the best standard and to enhance an environment facilitating the research and also exchanging knowledge.
Collections
This library is acting as the architectural archive host that envelopes catalogues of various photographs of the architectural features and the snaps of the buildings of Himalayan region and Tibet. A number of buildings that are in the record of this archive has demolished and do not exist any more. The collections of this library provide the indications of the architectural heritage of Tibet.
Besides above discussed collections there are also some collections that are not in the Government record and include the pre and post Tibetan life since 1959. This library is also being visited by many scholars and they study about the photographic archives, collections of slides and negatives. Out of these many are black and white snaps that were taken by Tolstoy and Dolan who were the American travelers in 1940. This library also displays various other photographs also.
How to Reach
Traveling methods to Dharamsala
By Air
The nearest air port from Dharamsala is the Kangra airport also known as a.k.a. Gaggal Airport that is situated about 21 Km from Dharamsala.
By Rail
The nearest railway station from Dharamsala is the Pathankot that is about 76 Km from here. A number of trains are available that runs from Pathankot to many important cities of India. There is the provision of narrow guage train from Pathankot to Kangra for experiencing more. You can also hire a cab or can take bus for Dharamsala.
By Road
The network of roads from Dharamsala is very good that links it to various important cities of the country. It is about 268 Kilometers from Chandigarh, 195 Kilometers from Amritsar, 283 Kilometers from Shimla and about 516 Kilometers from Delhi. After reaching these above said places one can hire a taxi or can board a bus for reaching Dharamsala. The driving direction from Delhi would be NH1 and NH21 that takes you to Kiratpur via Una to Kangra. The distance of McLeodganj is about 31 km from there. The route from Chandigarh would be NH21 that takes you to Kiratpur. If you want to drive from Shimla than you have to go Bilaspur and then Mandi from where you have to take NH20 that takes you to Dharamsala.
Timings
The opening hours of this Library are from 9 o Clock morning to 5 o clock evening. The lunch hours are from 1-2 PM. Sundays, second ; fourth Saturdays are holidays and rest are opening days.
Photo Gallery