BIR: The Ultimate Charm Of Himachal
A tiny mountain hamlet in northern Himachal Pradesh with a massive well-settled Tibetan community, Bir is located in the west of Joginder Nagar Valley as one of the charm of Northern India.
It is noted centre for ecotourism, spiritual studies, meditation and Tibetan cultures. Bir is also home to a Tibetan refugee settlement with several Buddhist monasteries and a large stupa.
Bir was ruled by the Pal dynasty of the chandravanshi lineage. The last head of the Paul dynasty, Milan Prithi Pal, was a Zaildar and lived in Bir. He was very well spokenof by his people.
In 1966 the third Neten Chokling, an lama of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, brought his family and a small entourage to Bir and from that Bir is now a fine home for Tibetans in India
Bir is located in the district of Kangra, approximately 50 Km southeast of Dharamshala at a distance of two or three hours by road. Bir is 14 Km south of Billing, which lies on the way to the Thamsar Pass. The Tibetan colony is actually in the village of chowgan.
The Deer Park Institute is a centre for the study of classical Indian wisdom traditions established by Dzongsar Rinpoche in March 2006 under the patronage of Dalai Lama. This Institute hosts guest lectures of reputed scholars and meditation teachers.
The Dharmalya Institute is an eco-campus for service learning and contemplative practice. It hosts work retreats and meditation retreats, providing opportunities for long-term volunteers and meditation students to do karma yoga for various charitable projects to benefit the local community and the natural environment. This is a must visit place for the domestic as well as international tourists to watch some special programs.
Bir-Billing area is very much pouplar site for paraglider pilots, both Indians and visitors from the world. The flying season is from September to October, with some flying also done in November. This village is famous for hosting periodic international competitions and events. The launch site is in the meadow of Billing, at an elevation of 2400 metres, where the landing is in Chowgan, Bir.
The Paragliding world cup 2015 was hosted IN Bir-Billing. Chokling Gompa is the monastery of Neten Rinpoche, a reincarnate lama and the director of the film Milarepa(2006). The large stupa and Tibetan architechture is the principal attraction of here. There is a guest house and restaurant on the premises.
The Bir Tea factory is a longstanding Bir cooperative, which offers tours for you if you have interest in the tea production.
Bir is actually popular for adventure travel like trekking, paragliding, hand-gliding and camping.
Bir-Tibetan colony is the place where you can watch Tibetan cultures and rituals.
You can reach Bir from Dharamshala by road within 2-3 hours. The ride is pretty much enjoyable. The nearest railway station is Ahju, on the narrow-gauge line running between Pathankot and Jogindernagar. Road access to Bir is from the Bir Road turnoff on NH20.
So make your winter destination to Bir to enjoy the ultimate beauty of Himachal, actually the Northern India.
