- Dharamshalas
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For town in Kangra district, see Dharamsala.
A Daramsalla in Tibet.
Dharamshalas (Hindi: धर्मशाला) is the term for a religious resthouse.[1] In Hindi, Dharma means religion, and shala means "sanctuary" [2] hence dharamshala is a 'religious sanctuary' or rest-house for pilgrims, that are primarily created for a religious purpose for pilgrims, or as a religious endowment.
Sometimes they are made for specific communities based ethnic, profession or region-wise classifications, at religious pilgrimages, a tradition common in Jainism, Hinduism and also Tibetan Buddhism.[3] Just as sarai is for travellers and caravans, dharamshalas are specifically meant for religious travellers, built at pilgrimage sites. At a dharamshala, members of the community are charged minimal or allowed free stay of limited duration.
The cantonment town of Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, was established in 1849 by the British, on an empty land where a Dharamshala stood, hence the name taken for the town.[1][4]
Gallery
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Seth Sadasukh Gambhir Chand Kothari Dharamshala, estb. 1822 (V.S. 1978), Haridwar. Donated by a businessman
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Dharamshala at Haridwar
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Sawarankaron ki Dharamshala (Resthouse for Goldsmiths), Railway road, Hariwar.
References
- ^ a b Dharamsala The Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 11, p. 301.
- ^ Paathshala (school), vyayaamshala (gymnasium), madhushala (bar)
- ^ Tourism in India, by Ajoy Kumar Sen. Published by Modern Book Agency, 1991. Page 235.
- ^ "History of Kangra". NIC Kangra. http://www.hpkangra.nic.in/history.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
Categories:- Hindi words and phrases
- Buildings and structures in India
- Hindu temple architecture
- Religious building and structure stubs
- Hinduism stubs
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