Delhi’s own Tibet

Where – Tibetan Colony, New Arun Nagar, North Delhi

Why – Glimpses of Tibetan culture and practices, Tibetan cuisine

Best time to visit – 3-4 pm Nearest Metro – Vidhan Sabha ( Yellow Line)

Background

1959 Tibet, the year of the Lhasa Rebellion, the year when Dalai Lama went into exile. So when the Arun Nagar Colony in Delhi was developing. A large number of Tibetan refugees migrated and settled in this new area. After the Sino-Indian War in 1962. Many of the refugees who had settled near the Indo-Chinese border before shifted here. Today, it is home to the second generation of Tibet refugees. And is also known as Samyeling, through colloquially as “Little-Tibet” or “Mini-Tibet”.

Famous among the Delhi crowd as a place for rich Tibetan cuisine and cheap textile and garments. Majnu ka Tila held historical significance even before the Tibetan migration. As local legends go, During the reign of Sikander Lodi on Delhi Sultanate. A local Iranian Sufi mystic, Abdulla nicknamed Majnu, met Guru Nanak here. Majnu ferried people across the Yamuna river for free as a service to God. His devotion resulted in the Nanak staying here for a while. In 1783 the Sikh military leader Baghel Singh build a Gurudwara here to commemorate the stay. Today it is one of the oldest extant Sikh shrines in Delhi.

Roaming the streets

If you like exploring a city and its various shades on your two good legs. Then for your convenience, the nearest metro station to Majnu ka Tila is Vidhan Sabha metro station on the yellow line. From where you’ll get one of those E-rickshaws you see dashing around in Delhi. They’ll take you to a foot over bridge. Here you’ll find several flags and colorful pieces of religious clothes tied on the sides. Climbing down on the other side, as you enter through a narrow street its a whole new world. If you are lucky and your timing is right you might witness some monks offering prayers in the shrine. There is an ambiance of peacefulness and calm. Mixed with glimpses of a culture that once flourished in India. There is a huge Mani Wheel on the right side of the street, you can’t miss it. A Mani Wheel is a cylindrical wheel on a spindle made from metal or wood. Traditionally, the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is written in Sanskrit on the outside of the wheel. Mani wheels are used to accumulate wisdom and merit (good karma) and to purify negativities (bad karma).

If you are a budding photographer and you want to try your hand on some street photography. Majnu Ka Tila is the place I’ll recommend. As the people are friendly here and since it’s a different culture. You can get something new in your photograph. You can also expand your knowledge of other cultures in the meantime.

If you are a food blogger or someone who just likes to experiment with their cuisine this place is a God-send for you. There are a plethora of options here for a foodie. From small stalls selling Lhaphin to restaurants serving Pan Asian cuisines.

The best way to end your visit to this Little Tibet is by enjoying some cheesecake in Kham Coffee House. Which is my personal favorite spot. And if you are still feeling a bit adventurous you can always try the Tibetan tea.

I hope you have fun exploring the streets of this peaceful “Little Tibet” in the middle of the chaotic capital we call Delhi.