The Dalai Lama Temple, also known as Tsuglagkhang Complex, is a significant spiritual and cultural center located in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, India. It serves as the residence of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and is the most important site for Tibetan Buddhism outside Tibet. Established in the 1960s after the Dalai Lama fled Tibet, the temple complex has become a symbol of peace, compassion, and resilience.
The library at the Dalai Lama Temple complex is an integral part of the spiritual and educational environment in McLeod Ganj. Often referred to as the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA), it was established in 1970 by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Though not directly inside the temple premises, it is located nearby and closely affiliated with the Tibetan government-in-exile.
The library serves as a repository of ancient Tibetan manuscripts, books, and documents related to Buddhism, philosophy, history, art, and culture. It houses over 80,000 manuscripts, books, and documents in Tibetan, English, Hindi, and other languages. It also preserves rare Buddhist texts, photographs, thangkas (Tibetan Buddhist paintings), and oral histories from Tibet.
LTWA is not just a place for reading—it’s a center for research and learning. It hosts lectures, workshops, language classes (especially Tibetan and Buddhist philosophy), and offers resources for scholars from around the world. The library also includes a museum with significant artifacts and exhibitions about Tibet’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
Welcoming both visitors and researchers, the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives stands as a beacon of knowledge, preserving and promoting the unique traditions of Tibetan Buddhism and culture in exile.
Address: Temple Rd, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 5 pm
Phone: 0189 222 1343
