Majnu Ka Tilla
New Delhi, India
Although the history of the North Delhi neighborhood of Majnu Ka Tilla (Majnu’s Hill) dates back hundreds of years, Tibetan refugees settled there in the 1960s, hence its moniker “Little Tibet”. Now, it’s the place to go in Delhi to sample Tibetan food, visit Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and temples, and shop for Himalayan trinkets.
The basics
Swap samosas for momos in Delhi’s Majnu Ka Tilla, the city’s main Tibetan enclave. Majnu Ka Tilla isn’t large but it’s a popular offbeat hangout, partly thanks to its location near the University of Delhi. Majnu Ka Tilla is usually visited independently, although some private tours of Delhi stop by. Long-distance buses heading to Himachal Pradesh typically depart from here. If you’re traveling independently, consider pulling up at a restaurant for a plate of Tibetan food and to people-watch while waiting for a bus.
Things to know before you go
Majnu Ka Tilla is sandwiched between a traffic-clogged Delhi highway and the sewage-clogged Yamuna River. The air quality and smell can be unpleasant in places, so bring a mask.
Donations are usually appreciated at temples.
The striking Sikh Gurudwara Majnu Ka Tilla is also here. Bring a head covering (all genders) if you’d like to visit.
How to get there
Majnu Ka Tilla is in North Delhi. Catch the Delhi Metro’s Yellow Line in the direction of Samaypur Badli and get off at Vidhan Sabha. The neighborhood is still quite far from the station, and across the busy Outer Ring Road, so catch an auto or cycle rickshaw there. Most drivers will drop you on the other side of the road to avoid crossing against traffic: just cross the road on foot at a pedestrian bridge.
When to get there
You can visit any time, and there are plenty of hotels here, too. Temples and monasteries are typically open from dawn to dusk. Due to Majnu Ka Tilla’s unfortunate location beside the heavily polluted Yamuna River, it can smell especially bad in the hot months preceding the refreshing monsoon (March–June).
Head to the hills
Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh is known as the Tibetan center of India, as it’s where the Tibetan Government in Exile and the Dalai Lama are based. It’s a relaxed town in the Himalayan foothills where you can visit monasteries, hike, and take courses and workshops on Tibetan culture and history. Reach Dharamshala from Majnu Ka Tilla by bus, a journey of about 10 hours.
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