Bir, Himachal Pradesh

Bir, Himachal Pradesh, India


Bir is a small village on the central western part of Himachal Pradesh in northern India. This scruffy little town located 1,525 m (5,003 ft) above sea level is home to a number of Tibetan monasteries.

According to local accounts, Bir was first settled by immigrants from Bengal in the 17th century. Other groups move in to the area. In 1966 it saw an influx of Tibetans after the Neten Chokling, the incarnate lama of the Nyimgma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, relocated to the area with his family and followers. Bir today has developed into a tourist destination. Similar to Bilaspur, it is a destination for adventure sports such as paragliding and trekking.

Tibetan monks in Bir

Planning your trip to Bir

Travel to Bir by public transport require a number of transits. From Delhi, you can take a bus to Dharamsala. There is a bus from Lower Dharamsala to Bir. By train, there is a service to Pathankot. From there you can take the "toy train" to Ahju, which is just 3 km from Bir. The advantage of taking the train, which is often overcrowded, is the many picturesque vistas along the way.

Tibetan stupa in Bir, India

Places of Interest in Bir

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