Pre 1961
Bylakuppe was a forest. Now after five decades more trees are emerging to
reforest the land that Government of India and public, especially people of
Karnataka graciously let Tibetans to settle and cultivate.
The stories of the newly arrived
Tibetan, who deforested the land, are nerve-racking. There were countless
incidents of struggle with elephants and few Tibetans were killed in those
struggle. As the land were ready for farming another struggle ensued. Many
Tibetans had no experience of farming. Most of them were nomads in Tibet.
However, the determination and unwavering guidance of His Holiness The Dalai
Lama suppressed all the major challenges of the inexperience Tibetans to become
successful farmers. There was an incident when His Holiness was almost attacked
by bulls, while visiting the newly made farms.
Tibetan at that time exchanged their
jewels; gold, silver, emerald, and other precious stones for few kilos of rice,
wheat flours, and other groceries. Such was the pathetic situation of Tibetans at that time. However, their strong faith in unity and determination of
preserving the rich cultural heritage ensured unbelievable success that we can
see today.
Bylakuppe, the largest Tibetan Settlement in India, has many memorable places.
However, some are less known and often even unheard of to many locals. I shall
try to bring forth four such historic places. Hoping that the future visitors and
local people alike could cherish about them. The four are: His Holiness Palace, The Second Camp Lake, A Chinese’s Tomb, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Palms’ print on the
floor of a Temple.
His
Holiness Palace
 |
| Main entrance of the palace |
 |
| The Palace |
 |
| Celebrating His Holiness Birthday |
His
Holiness’s Palace is Located near the vast forest. This humble palace is the
hub of all major Tibetan events, political or cultural. Many young Tibetans
know it as a place to celebrate or commemorate Tibetan events. However, not
many know about its religious importance. It is the site, where His Holiness
The Dalai Lama bestowed Kalachakra Initiation in 1971, the second Kalachakra
Initiation post 1959. Unfortunately there is no resemblance of it and locals
rarely visit this holy place for religious purpose. Fortunately it was
renovated few years back but is still remained largely isolated.
The
Second Camp Lake
 |
| Monks feeding fish |
It is a
natural lake enlarged to accommodate more fish population. It is a protected
lake. People free fish and other marine creature like crabs and turtles. It has
been developed for feeding fish. People visit this lake to feed fish and cool
breeze in the evening. Last year, due to shortage of rain the lake almost
dried. Many fish had reportedly died. Sera Jhe Health Care Committee with the
help of donors dig bore wells to fill the lake to save fish from dying.
This lake has potential to become a
bird sanctuary if more trees are planted around it. However, trees were cut
down to shoo away the fish eating birds.
This lake
is a holy lake, too. His Holiness The Dalai Lama had visited this lake several
times to feed fish. That could be the primary reason why Tibetan put extra
effort to preserve it and protect its fish.
A
Chinese's Tomb
 |
| Gya Lobsang Tashi's Tomb |
Gya (means
Chinese in Tibetan language) Lobsang Tashi, as he is known in Tibetan
community, was a member of PLA. He was an artilleryman of PLA before defecting
to the Tibetan side at war in 1959. He fought against PLA and eventually fled
to India with Tibetan. He settled in Tibetan community and had a Tibetan wife
too. There was little record of his life story. Tibetan elder gave him full
respect by building a tomb for him and later his wife was buried next to him.
Presently, significant of his tomb is unknown to many young Tibetans, although
it is at a very visible area.
His
Holiness Palms’ Mark
This is a
very auspicious yet hardly known fact of the Bylakuppe Settlement. His Holiness
the Dalai Lama left his palms’ mark at a small temple in 1973, when he visited
the settlement to inspect the functioning and boost the spirit of Tibetan
people. The community temple of Old Camp fifth and sixth was newly built at
that time. His Holiness visited to consecrate the temple and while prostrating
he left his palms’ marks on the hard cement floor. It was painted in gold
and well preserved even today.
 |
| His Holiness Palms' mark |
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