TIBET IN EXILE 2010

During my regular visits to Nepal I am documenting the situation of the exiled Tibetan communities. 

The project is about to find out, whether the Tibetan culture and religion is surviving outside Tibet and how the exiled Tibetan community has been able to preserve their heritage and how it has changed with the obstacles of a life in exile.

View on the refugee settlement Tashi Palkhiel with the view on the Annapurna mountains, which border to Tibet.

Monks preparing for the Lhosar (Tibetan New Year) ceremonies at the monastery in Tashi Palkhiel.

Raising the new prayer-flag-poles during the Lhapso Puja after the Tibetan New Year (Lhosar). The new flags shall bring good luck to the village.

The community is gathering for the Shimbur Puja, which is taking place for two days to commemorate the people, who passed away during the past year. With this ceremony the souls of the dead will find their peace and path to reincarnation. At the end of the Shimbur Puja people throw food and other things into the burning fire. All the food was the most favoured food by the people, who have passed away.

A girl holding a “Free Tibet” paper during ceremonies to commemorate the uprising in Tibet of 10. March 1959.

The Tibet Institute in Rikon, Switzerland.