I am born here at Bylakuppe which has two Tibetan settlements namely Lugsum Samdupling and Dickyi Larsoe which were established in 1961 and 1969 respectively. Apart from that, it has some of largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries namely Sera Monasteries and Golden temple, a famous for local Indian tourist. My parents have came to India in 1962 along with thousands of other Tibetans after his holiness, The Dalai Lama of Tibet, when Tibet lost it freedom to red Chinese in the year 1959.
Thanks to Karnataka state, at that time, State of Mysore which was so kind enough to give some land for Tibetan people. My mother used to say to me that, they have work for 2-3 years in making roads in northern India somewhere near Indo-tibet border and then, they were sent to Bylakuppe along with thousand other Tibetans. When they have first came to bylakuppe, it was full of forest and they need to cut all the trees to make agricultural land and Government of india used to gave 3 meals a day plus 1 Indian Rs. as pay. It has been a very difficult time for them as they has suddenly to a place where the temperature, food, water and even language is completely different from their home country. She used to tell me that, they also used to get food and other necessary things from UN also.. But, Along with time, Bylakuppe has changed alot.
Now, You can call Bylakuppe as a small town. The busiest place at Bylakuppe is 1st old camp which has around 15-18 hostels, 20-25 shops and a lodge and other one is near Golden temple which as I have mention before that, it is a famous place for local people. You can hardly find any Indian in cities like Mysore and Bangalore which doesn't know Golden temple or hasn't been there.
You can find more information about my hometown, Bylakuppe on Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bylakuppe
And also this blog has some good photos of Bylakuppe,
http://tk30.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-trip-to-bylakupee.html
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