A charitable resting place, inn, or shelter in South Asia where pilgrims, travelers, and poor people can stay for free or very cheaply.
From Sanskrit dharma (religious duty) + sala (hall, building). The concept reflects the Hindu and Indian principle that charity and hospitality are sacred duties, so buildings were specifically constructed as acts of spiritual merit.
Dharmsalas were the original hostels and emergency shelters, built purely as acts of religious devotion. In India, they're still everywhere—showing that a concept born 2,000+ years ago is still actively helping people today.
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