Orientation

           The historical center of Bir is in Upper Bir (Bir proper). The Bir Tibetan Colony (often simply called "Colony" by locals) is at the west end of the village of Chowgan, about a 20-minute walk (or five-minute taxi) below Upper Bir. 

         Sherab Ling Monastery is a 50-to-70-minute walk (or 15-minute taxi) from Chowgan, or slightly longer from Upper Bir. The village of Ghornala is the location of the Dharmalaya Institute,  Ghornala Resort, a Sikh retreat centre, and a few cottages. It is about midway between Bir and Sherab Ling, and slightly to the north.

Geography

       Bir is located at 32.05°N 76.70°E in the Tehsil (administrative subdivision) of Baijnath, in the District of Kangra in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated approximately 50 km (31 mi) southeast of Dharamshala at a distance of two to three hours by road. It is 14 km south of Billing, which lies on the way to the Thamsar Pass leading to Bara Bhangal.

        Geologically, Bir is situated in the Joginder Nagar Valley, Dhauladhar Range of the foothills of the Indian Himalayas.

        The nearest railway station is Ahju, on the narrow-gauge line running between Pathankot and Jogindernagar via Kangra. Road access to Bir is from the Bir Road turnoff on NH20, approximately midway between Baijnath and Jogindernagar.

History

         Local accounts indicate that Bir was first established by immigrants from Bengal around 1600 C.E. These families established in Bir proper. Other groups migrated in a large amount more recently, starting in the early 20th.

 

The Tibetan Colony

       In 1966 the third Neten Chokling (1928-1973), an in person lama of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, brought his family and a small associates to Bir. With the help of foreign aid Neten Chokling purchased over 200 acres of land and recognized a Tibetan settlement where 300 Tibetan families were given ground to build houses. At this time Chokling Rinpoche also started building in Bir a new Neten monastery and disciples who had followed him into India formed its first sangha. When the third Chokling Rinpoche passed away in 1973, his eldest son, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, assumed responsibility for completing his father’s vision. The fourth Neten Chokling incarnation was born in 1973 in Bhutan and brought to Bir at a young age where the family of the third Chokling took him under their wings. In 2004 full responsibility for Pema Ewam Chögar Gyurme Ling Monastery in Bir was passed to the fourth Neten Chokling.