The Golden Temple in Bylakuppe, Karnataka, is a home for thousands of Tibetans living in exile and a center for Tibetan Buddhism in South India.

The Tibetian refugees make up a population of about 10,000. It consists of a number of small camps/agricultural settlements close to each other, and has a number of monasteries, nunneries and temples in all the major Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Most notable among them are the large educational monastic institution Sera, the smaller Tashilunpo monastery (both in the Gelukpa tradition) and Namdroling monastery (in the Nyingma tradition). The spectacular Golden Temple which is also a major tourist spot in the area.

Tourist Attractions

Golden Temple is the main tourist attraction in Bylakuppe. Stepping inside the temple feels like walking into another world, and the noisy streets of South India suddenly seem to be very far away. Three beautiful golden Buddha statues each of 40 Feet namely Padmasambhava, Buddha and Amitayus look down at visitors above the altar.

The walls are adorned with colourful paintings depicting gods and demons from Tibetan Buddhist mythology. The altar is decorated with flowers, candles and incense, and small birds nesting amongst the golden statues fly happily around the temple.

This place is very calm and majestic sight, surrounded by its landscaped gardens. During festivals, the main courtyard becomes an open stage where masked dancers twirl in colorful costumes to the sound of gongs and massive ceremonial trumpets.

Tourists are welcomed to visit the monasteries and temples. Photography is allowed even inside the temple.

Sera Je Monastery keeps Tibetan Buddhist culture alive in Bylakuppe. It is modeled after the original Sera University in Tibet. Sera belongs to the Yellow-Hat Gelugpa sect of Buddhism and is the local seat of education. More than 5,000 Buddhists studying here to become monks.

There are also several stores around the temple area that sell Tibetan jewellery, handicrafts, incense and souvenirs.

Sakya Monastery is a double story maroon colored structure just off the road as you enter Bylakuppe.

Tashi Lhunpo Monastery This is one of the four great monastries of central Tibet and the origianl seat of the Panchen Lama. This was re-established in Bylakuppe in 1972. There are 250 resident monks who study sutra and tantra.

When to go:

• September to May is Losar.
• Tibetan New Year is celebrated in February/March
• Sagadawa the holy festival is celebrated in May/june
• Buddha Jayanthi in June.
• Dalai Lama's birthday on July 6

The Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Under Secretary (Rehabilitation Officer)
Phone : +91-11-6218548
Fax : +91-11-6461914
Email : bdl@vsnl.com

Tourist Information
Representative, Tibetan Government in Exile
Camp 1, Bylakuppe, Coorg 571101
Phone: (08223) 253476, 253633

How to reach :
Distance : From Bangalore 250kms, Mysore 50Kms
Nearest Town : Kushalnagar
Nearest Railway : Mysore
Nearest Airport : Mysore Airport.