The Tibet House in New Delhi
The Tibet House in New Delhi provides glimpses of Tibetan culture to the visitors. It is situated at the Institutional Area at Lodhi Road. It is an excellent resource centre for those who look for information about the history of Tibet or Tibetan culture. The activities of Tibet House have been shaped by the long-standing issue of the alleged Chinese intervention of Tibet. The Chinese government officials always maintain that Tibet is a part of China. They never liked the fact that India provided political asylum to the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, Dalai Lama. But Tibet House largely managed to steer clear of controversies that occasionally surface between China and Dalai Lama, on various affairs, such as the agitations of certain sections of Tibetan people during the recently concluded Beijing Olympics.
The Tibet House was established in 1965 by Dalai Lama. It is said that Tibetan refugees started coming to India even from the late 1950s fearing the alleged atrocities by the Chinese army. The institution is a result of those early refugees’ efforts. The institution hosts a museum that exhibits Tibetan artifacts and other memorabilia of Tibetan origin. It also has a neatly maintained library where books and periodicals that deal with various aspects of Tibetan people and their culture. One can find plenty of books and articles that deal with the so-called Tibet issue involving the Dalai Lama and the Chinese Government. The book collection includes those books that Dalai Lama took with him when he fled from Tibet on the face of mounting Chinese aggression.
The common people who visit the Tibet House in Delhi, however, are not generally concerned with the politics. Most of such people look for decorative artifacts and antiques. And the Tibet House offers a vast collection of such material. Some of the items are brought from Tibet when people fled from their homeland fearing Chinese aggression. But many of the items are made in the various Tibetan settlements in India.
The museum in the Tibet House contains a large number of artifacts and curios. The main item in the museum is Tankhas. These are the painted scrolls that depict the entire life of Buddha. Small statues and figurines of Buddha are also prominent attractions of the museum. Old currency notes, Tibetan musical instruments, prayer and ritual material of Tibetan people, and exquisitely carved Tibetan jewellery are the other major items in the museum. Tibet house also has a shop that sells various Tibetan specialties from clothes to medicine. One can find a number of handicraft and antique materials in the shop.
The Tibet House is open on all weekdays. It is closed on Saturday and Sunday. It functions from 9.30 AM to 5.30 PM. The entry fee is Rupees 10. There is no special charge for photography or video recording. But one needs to get the official consent from the authorities for using still or video camera inside the building. One can reach here by bus or autorikshaw or by Delhi Metro.
Bed and Breakfast Delhi can arrange excursions to Tibet House. Bed and Breakfast Delhi is located near the Delhi Airport Hotels. Abhishek writes articles intermittently.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Arora
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