1. Pandoh Tashiling

Tibetan refugees started settling around Manali area while working as road side laborers from 1965. Later, around 44 families started working as construction workers alongside Indian laborers for two Dam construction projects which subsequently got completed in 2007.Tibetan workers were able to get the same government pension benefits as their Indian counterpart and currently, there are 4 pensioners who are continuing to avail the pension benefit from the Indian government.

Pandoh Tibetan Settlement

Tibetans including the construction workers for the Dam project who were settled around the Mandi area were living in rudimentary houses which lack the basic facilities and had been facing a housing problem which was resolved on 21st June 1984 after the numerous appeals by the representative of CTRC and Tibetan Settlement Officers with the help of Indian officials of Dam project management. Around 41 Families were able to get the housing and monetary funding for the repair and restoration of the houses in BBMB colony.

On 21st May 1991, His Holiness the Dalai Lama while visiting Manali met with residents of Pandoh on the way and bestowed the name “Pandoh Tashiling” as a name for the Pandoh Tibetan Settlement. Responding to the community’s heartfelt appeal, he instructed the Department of Home to expedite the establishment of a handicraft factory, aiming to provide a sustainable source of income for the residents in the area.

Tashiling Tibetan Handicraft Cum Training and Charitable Society /the Society Registration Act XXI 1860 25/1997 was formally established as a Tibetan Refugee Self Help Handicraft Society in 1997 at Pandoh Tashiling Tibetan Settlement. Main purpose of the handicraft society was to facilitate livelihood as most Tibetan refugees then lived on laborious road construction sites (Mandi and Manali) Himachal Pradesh. It further aimed to preserve the unique Tibetan culture, customs, traditional carpet waving, carpentry, and so forth. The handicraft society was closed in 2000 after lack of new participation from the residents.

Rewalsar is a revered pilgrimage site, particularly for Buddhist and Tibetan communities. Tibetans began settling around the area in 1967, initially arriving as pilgrims and establishing small businesses. Over time, many chose to reside permanently there though they live in rented accommodations as they do not own their house. Their main source of income is selling winter sweaters and operating as roadside vendors.

In 2022, 30 household (Tibetan New Arrival) were permanently moved to Bhuntar as they were allocated new housing facilities by CTA in Bhuntar

Rewalsar is home to 46 sacred caves, which fall under the jurisdiction of Mandi Tibetan Settlement Office. These caves serve as a vital spiritual and permanent residence for nuns, who dedicate their entire lives to continuous prayer and meditation within theses holy confines. The cave is located approximately 10 kilometers from the Rewalsar lake bus station.

Currently, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) is actively engaged in effort to procure the land lease for this area, as per the provisions of Tibetan Rehabilitation policy 2014, this process remains ongoing.

3. Sundar Nagar

Sundar Nagar holds the distinction as the first area in the Mandi region where Tibetan refugees settled, beginning in 1962. These early residents, primarily small shop owners, lived in rented accommodations. In 1971, the Primary Day School was established in Sundar Nagar under TCV administration, serving Tibetan children from Pandoh, Mandi, Sundar Nagar, and Rewalsar. However, low enrollment led to its closure in 2006. While roadside vendors and small shops once formed the backbone of their income are closed. No Tibetan residents currently live in Sundar Nagar; many have relocated to other settlements across India or to the Rewalsar jurisdiction.

4. Mandi

Around 1962, Tibetan started settling around Mandi. Tibetans Residents lives on a rent and are small sweater seller business owners. Currently, there are 22 household living in the Mandi and has small shops in Mandi market allocated by the Municipal Corporation Mandi where they sells readymade garments.

In 2022, One household (Tibetan New Arrival) moved permanently to Bhuntar Tibetan Settlement as they were allocated new housing facilities there by CTA.