Norbulingka,
or "Jewelled Garden",
was the site of the
Dalai Lamas’ summer
palace. From the mid
18th century, each
successive Dalai Lama
moved to the park during
the summer season, and
carried out all their
religious and political
affairs from there. The
site of the Norbulingka
was originally chosen
for its banks were
shaded by many willow
trees, in the 1750’s the
7th Dalai Lama spent
much time in the
peacefulness of this
area, studying Buddhist
texts. It was during his
lifetime that the
tradition of a "Summer
Retreat" began.
The park was
considerably extended
during the reign of the
13th Dalai Lama
(1876-1933) and many
more buildings were
erected. In 1954, the
14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin
Gyatso, built the "New
Palace", consisting of
two major halls, richly
decorated with murals.
The murals depict many
religious legends and
historical stories, such
as the marriage between
the Chinese Princess Wen
Cheng and the Tibetan
King Songtsan Gampo in
the 7th century. The
14th Dalai Lama’s living
quarters are also found
in the "New Palace", and
many of his personal
possessions, as well as
gifts presented to him
by the Central People’s
Government in 1956, are
on display in the
reception room. In the
past years the
Norbulingka has been
opened as a public park,
and is frequently used
as a place for
picnicking, relaxing for
an entertainment. |